nikon 35-70 2.8 or tamron 28-75 2.8

doublemint76

doublemint76

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I currently have a Nikon 18-200 VRII and a 50 1.8 on a D300.

I'm now looking to sell my 18-200 to fund some fast mid zoom glass as i hardly use the long end of the 18-200 and would rather something sharper and faster. Now the the Nikon 24-70 2.8 etc are way out of my price range but so far i've narrowed it down to the tamron 28-75 2.8 and the old nikon 35-70 2.8. Hoping to have change to buy a 85mm prime too or maybe cover the wide end with something...mmm

Has anyone on here used both? or recommend anything? I'm really stuck deciding.
 
You say you hardly ever use the long end but are you going to miss the wide end? I'd take a good look at the Nikon 17-55 as well. That said both lenses that you mention are very well regarded.
 
Firstly, I have never used the Tamron, so cannot comment on that.

The 17-55 is an excellent lens for DX, possibly Nikons finest DX lens, but it comes at a cost, even secondhand.If you cannot foresee going full frame, then this is a good choice, if funds will stretch.

The 35-70 is also a very good lens, I kept mine and sold the 28-70. It is a lot smaller and lighter than the 28-70, and a lot cheaper. I use it on my D700 and tend not to miss the 7mm at the wide end. 35 may not be wide enough if you are staying DX.

Suppose it depends on what you envisage using it for.
 
I have just got the tamron 28-75 as a replacement for the 18-70 and can honestly say that I am very impressed. It is sharp and focusses quickly and nice to use. It does hunt a bit in low light but I guess that is the trade of for the price. Have s look at my Flickr as there is a set from the lens. Got mine from OSD for 279.

HTH
Nick
 
On my D300 body, I used my tamron 17-50 for most of my travelling. 35-70 for events. Love the 35-70, if only nikon could reproduce something like that which is lighter and less expensive than the 24-70. What i like the most is the macro function on the 35-70 itself.
 
Living by the sea i think i'll miss the wide end so also looked at the Tammy 17-50 but heard bad things about the focusing. I would snap the nikon up if i could afford it but i think its just that bit too much out of my price range. Its a shame really as when i started out with my d40 and 18-50 kit lens i never felt restricted by it.

If i manage to sell my 18-200 i thought of the buying the nikon 35-70 and tamron 28-75 and with the left over cash either an 85mm prime or a cheap wide although not sure if id get anything wide for a few hundred quid?
 
I haven't used the Nikon, but recently bought a Tamron 28-75 off eBay. It was the older version without the built in motor, which is meant to be sharper than the newer BIM version.

I tested it on a D700 and it was indeed very sharp, and fairly quick to focus. Only problem with my copy was that it back-focussed quite badly, enough that I've returned it to the seller (who I'm happy to say has accepted the return ). I know all lenses have good and bad copies, but it's something to bear in mind if buying second hand.

I will probably get another one, but this time I will probably buy new to avoid any potential focussing issues.
 
doublemint76 said:
If i manage to sell my 18-200 i thought of the buying the nikon 35-70 and tamron 28-75 and with the left over cash either an 85mm prime or a cheap wide although not sure if id get anything wide for a few hundred quid?
Click to expand...

I don't see any need to buy a 35-70 and 28-75 or did you mean one or the other?
 
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