Which standard zoom for crop sensor (Nikon)

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Aledafis

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Aled
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Hi, I'm considering buying a fast (f2.8) standard zoom for my D300.

I was initially considering a second hand Nikon 17-55 f2.8 (about £550, which is at the top end of my budget), but a mate of mine suggested the new Sigma 17-50 f2.8 with OS, which gets very good reviews and is priced a little under the Nikon. The third option is the Tamron which is quite well thought of around here, but I know very little about it (yet). So which one should I get??

As regards my existing kit, I have a Nikon 18-200 which I like but isn't fast enough, a Nikon 35 f1.8, a Sigma 10-20 and a Nikon 50 f1.4 that may be on it's way to the bay to part fund the zoom in question seeing as I've hardly used it since getting the 35.

Cheers
Aled
 
The nikon one is the best built, but you certainly pay for it. I have a tamron 17-50 non vc which I really like, is sharp even at f2.8 and doesn't weigh a ton, however it doesn't have nikon bomb proof build quality. I picked mine up for £190 which was a steal.

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I'm very happy with my Tokina 16~50mm f/2.8, plenty wide enough for a 'walkabout' lens and built like a tank.
 
I used to have a Nikon 17-55 2.8. Very good lens. Went then to a Tamron 2.8, but the 28-75 as the range suited me better. Build not as good, it does not feel as solid, but IQ is pretty good, very hard to tell the difference between the 2. Great value too at around £200 second hand.
 
Thanks for the advice guys. You've confirmed that the Nikon is top of the tree, but the others also have their followers and are all pretty good in their own rights. So I've gone from a three horse race to four now, including the Tokina.

Hmm, off to do more reading up then....

Cheers
Aled
 
If you've got the cash, you may aswell go for the Nikon - its a blinding lens! :D

If not, then go for the tamron as mentioned, and spend the rest on something else ;)
 
If you have a Nikon body then if you can afford it you cant go wrong with Nikon glass
 
Another vote for the Nikon lens. I was in the same situation as you a few months ago and considered the Tamron etc. as another option. I am glad I went for the Nikon however as the image quality is fantastic and so is the build quality. Does weigh a fair amount though if light weight is something that is important to you
 
Thanks guys, I've narrowed it down to either the Nikon or the Sigma OS.

I've now got the (long) weekend to decide between the bomb proof build of the Nikon and the Sigma's OS. From what I gather, there's very little between the two as regards image quality, the Nikon is slightly better at 17mm but they even out pretty quickly.

I'm veering towards the Nikon at the moment, but the three or four stops of stabilisation does also sound very tempting, I'm not sure though how usefull it would be on a relatively short zoom.

Cheers
Aled
 
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