I used to have one and it was a super lens, liked it a lot. I sold it when I had the D2x / D200 /D300 for the 12-24 DX and now I'm onto the D700 wish I still had it. Now I have the 24/70 Nikkor it seems an expensive lens for just the 17-24mm bit of the range so I'll probably go for the Sigma 12-24.
If filters are such an issue, go for it, you won't be disappointed. I would rather have the 14-24mm (if I could afford it) and Photoshop.