Nikon 17-55mm or 24-70mm ??

joeteds

joeteds

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Hey all
Im looking to get either the Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 or the 17-55mm 2.8 but not sure what to go for.I have the Nikon D90 so was thinking of the 17-55mm as Ive seen them on ebay 2nd hand for around £600 where as the 24-70mm is around £1000 on ebay. I want it for everything really including portraits and landscapes mainly. I read people saying that these lenses stay on their camera 75-80% of the time and thats what Im looking for too. Im looking to get a home studio too at xmas so really want a good one for portraits.
Which would you go for ? And would you buy lenses 2nd hand ? Ive always bought lenses brand new so not sure.
 
If money is no object, then the 24-70 would be very tempting. I own the 17-55 and like it very much. It has a very useful range for my type of shooting (primarily landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture...though it isn't always quite wide enough for that.)

If you are going to stay with a DX camera, a used 17-55 is a very cost effective bit of kit. If you are planning on a move to FX, then the 24-70 again becomes more attractive.

In the end, it's up to you and your style of shooting.
 
Surely the 17-55 could always be sold on in the future if you move to fx. I think you'd miss 17-24 range otherwise.
 
What he means is you'll miss the 17-24 range on your D90. 24mm which is the lowest focal lenght on the 24-70G is not particularily wide on crop. It is however a cracking lens with incredible optics, autofocus and build quality.
 
joeteds said:
Hey all
Im looking to get either the Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 or the 17-55mm 2.8 but not sure what to go for.I have the Nikon D90 so was thinking of the 17-55mm as Ive seen them on ebay 2nd hand for around £600 where as the 24-70mm is around £1000 on ebay. I want it for everything really including portraits and landscapes mainly. I read people saying that these lenses stay on their camera 75-80% of the time and thats what Im looking for too. Im looking to get a home studio too at xmas so really want a good one for portraits.
Which would you go for ? And would you buy lenses 2nd hand ? Ive always bought lenses brand new so not sure.
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I agree with others on the loss of wide angle. Don't forget on your camera the 17-55 is really a 25-82 with crop, and the 24-70 is a 36 -105.

If you have other lenses to cover the wide angle then, having used both I would recommend the 24-70 by a hair's breadth. If you don't, I'd go with the 17-55, which is a cracking lens.

I have bought most of my lenses secondhand (some on ebay). If you are careful you will be OK
 
Depends entirely on what you shoot but personally I couldn't use a 24-70 as my 'on 90% of the time' lens. A lot of my shots are 18mm or wider on a crop. The way I see it, is that the 24-70 is just about the perfect general range for a FX body and the 17-55 is the DX equivalent. Based on that, I'd buy the equipment that suits your current set up and sell it on again in future if you do upgrade to FX. It sounds like you intend to buy used anyway so there shouldn't be too much financial penalty if you do swap at a later date.
 
Get the 17-55 - it's made for your camera, is in the same class optically as the 24-70, and is one of the best-built lenses on the market. Plus, it doesn't really loose money - pay £600 for it now (although used versions are generally closer to £550) and if you sell in a year's time to go FX, you'll near-as-damnit get your money back. Don't buy it new, then you will loose money.

IMO, for regular shooting on DX, 24-70 is just not right.

I got mine for £550 from carmarthen cameras and I've seen a plethora in the shops and in TP classifieds for between £500 - £600, all in good/mint condition.
 
rogerj said:
I agree with others on the loss of wide angle. Don't forget on your camera the 17-55 is really a 25-82 with crop, and the 24-70 is a 36 -105.

If you have other lenses to cover the wide angle then, having used both I would recommend the 24-70 by a hair's breadth. If you don't, I'd go with the 17-55, which is a cracking lens.

I have bought most of my lenses secondhand (some on ebay). If you are careful you will be OK
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Thanks so much everyone all this advice is much appreciated and has gave me a good idea on what to get. I think Im going to go with the majority and go with the 17-55. As Roger has said above I havnt got anything to cover the wide angle and would like something thats also close to a wide angle.If I had an FX body then obviously it would be the 24-70.Hope Im making the right choice :thumbs:
Ive nearly got enough for a brand new one but dont whether to go new or second hand. Im about £300 away from being able to go brand new :thinking:
Would the 17-55 also be great for portraits ?
 
joeteds said:
Thanks so much everyone all this advice is much appreciated and has gave me a good idea on what to get. I think Im going to go with the majority and go with the 17-55. As Roger has said above I havnt got anything to cover the wide angle and would like something thats also close to a wide angle.If I had an FX body then obviously it would be the 24-70.Hope Im making the right choice :thumbs:
Ive nearly got enough for a brand new one but dont whether to go new or second hand. Im about £300 away from being able to go brand new :thinking:
Would the 17-55 also be great for portraits ?
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I personally would buy used from one of the reputable dealers. You'll get a warranty and if you ever decide to go to FX, you'll lose minimal amounts selling it on. It's a personal thing though.

It'll work very nicely indeed as a portrait lens at the longer end.
 
It covers the conventional "standard zoom" range better, get the 17-55.

What lenses do you currently shoot with though? Because if you currently shoot using a kit lens and find that you hardly use the 18mm wide end, then the 24-70 might not be such a bad bet.
 
gad-westy said:
I personally would buy used from one of the reputable dealers. You'll get a warranty and if you ever decide to go to FX, you'll lose minimal amounts selling it on. It's a personal thing though.

It'll work very nicely indeed as a portrait lens at the longer end.
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Thanks alot Graham, who are the recomended reputable dealers where I could get a used one ?Ive only ever really got stuff from jessops or warehouse express.
 
freecom2 said:
It covers the conventional "standard zoom" range better, get the 17-55.

What lenses do you currently shoot with though? Because if you currently shoot using a kit lens and find that you hardly use the 18mm wide end, then the 24-70 might not be such a bad bet.
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Thanks J, I do want to do more landscapes etc so I will definately would llike the 17mm.I think Im set on the 17-55 :thumbs:
 
I wasnt blown away by the 17-55 but was with the 24-70. For me, even on a DX, the 24-70 is wide enough.
 
I agree with what Pat said also. Get the 17-55. Outstanding lens optically, build is up there with the best, and crucially, as said, doesn't loose much value over time. If you move to FF, sell it and put the cash towards the 24-70 then. The only reason I would say get the 24-70 on a crop camera is if you don't need the 17-24mm range and are happy with a longer lens in general. If that is the case, the 24-70 is most certain the way to go. :)
 
Joe - it's slightly overpriced but if it's local (which it is) and you have that money then go for it. I'd say £700 will get you a minter from a retailer like MPB, Carmarthen Cameras or mifsuds (with a warranty), or you could buy a pre-loved one out of TP classifieds for £600 or even less. No warranty though.

EDIT - I agree with fracster... MPB 'undergrade' their products. Everything I bought from them has been better than expected with not one problem.
 
joeteds said:
Cheers J. Ive just seen this though http://www.onestop-digital.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=33540
Might go for it seeing as its brand new and only a bit extra.Deep down I'd rather go brand new I think.Or am I being silly. I hate making decisions
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Onestop are very good - I've brought several lenses from them but be aware they are "grey" imports - the quality is still 100% of what you would get from UK stock, it's just that the guarantee means you would need to ship the lens back to Hong Kong rather than use a UK based Nikon service centre.
 
It turned up today woooooop . Gorgeous lens and crystal clear. One thing though im not too pleased with, when you zoom in on a photo there's a couple of bright blue dots, 1 of my lens had this happen over time so i imagine its something that just happens but would any of you send it back or put up with it ?
 
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