Another which lens thread!! woo-hoo!

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Ian
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My business is portrait photography. I usually use the kit 18-135mm Nikon which has really done a good job for a kit lens. Towards the end of the shoot, I'll switch to my nifty for some nice shallow DOF shots and whatnot.

I'm hoping to upgrade soon and would like some opinions on which pro lens I should purchase. They both seem to have rave reviews.

Nikon 17-55mm 2.8 (leaning towards this one as I like the wider angle)
Nikon 24-70mm 2.8 (I like the extra reach, but I'm just not sure)

I would think I couldn't go wrong with either, but there HAS to be some pro's and con's that would sway me. :) Price isn't an issue.
 
I've not used one, but i really can't see how the 24-70 is worth so much more money than the 28-70. Unless your considering going FF in the future, i would save the money and go for the 28-70. Don't think of the 24-70 as a replacement, the 28-70 is still Nikon's flagship mid-range zoom for DX format. Once again the 17-55 is pretty much the best in its class, but if i was looking for a portrait lens i would be looking at the 28-70 :)

Another option is going prime. Due to the controlled nature of portrait photography, sudden needs to change focal length aren't really a problem. A 30mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4 and a 85mm f/1.4 would be achievable for under £1k :)
 
That's a good point. I use the 50 1.8 a lot, so the 50 1.4 is a good option. I take some wide angle portraits as well, hence leaning towards the 17-55, but with the 50 1.4 and a Sigma 10-20, I could still get out under 1k... Hmmm... So many decisions.

However a zoom does come in handy with my type of portraiture I take. It really isn't controlled at all. lol.
 
You're not seriously considering a Sigma 10-20mm for portraits, are you? Why not go the whole hog and get a fisheye? :D
 
I'll throw another suggestion into the mix - you'll get a second-hand 17-35mm F2.8 plus a 35-70mm F2.8 for far less money than the new 24-70.

That's the route I went. The 35-70mm works great as a walkabout, and the extra FOV the 17-35mm gives beyond the 24-70 is great. 1mm at the wide end really makes a difference, whereas not so much effect at the longer end.

Both of those lenses are really good quality, especially the 17-35mm is a Nikon classic.
 
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