Best non-Nikkor f:2.8 standard zoom for Nikon AF fit

NorthernNikon

NorthernNikon

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As the title, what's the best non-Nikkor f:2.8 standard zoom for Nikon AF fit?

I'd love a Nikkor 24-70mm AF-S but I don't have a spare grand knocking around. There are so many 3rd party manufactuers in the range 24-70mm and yet non-Nikkor lenses don't get reviewed to the same extent.

Anyone any thoughts?
 
Tamron 17-50 is an outstanding lens, but it's a DX .. not sure if that's OK for what you're looking for?
 
I have the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8, and am extremely happy with it - and the newer ones have the HSM motor! I used to have (and rate just as highly) the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, which was a cracking wee lens.
 
Thanks, I've a D300 so I'm not worried about DX lenses, that much. 17-50 is a range I hadn't thought of. This lens would be for concert photography so I'm unsure what the best range would be.

Did Puddleduck rave about a Tokina 24-70ish lens? I thought he had one to trade for a Canon fit version but couldn't find the thread anywhere.
 
The Tamron 17-50mm and 28-75mm are f2.8 lenses available in Nikon fit. :)
 
NorthernNikon said:
Did Puddleduck rave about a Tokina 24-70ish lens? I thought he had one to trade for a Canon fit version but couldn't find the thread anywhere.
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Tamron 28-75 is the one I like :)

I've got the Nikon 24-70 as well... I honestly prefer using the Tamron (size reasons)
 
Tamron 28-75 here as well.

Its my second most used lens (after the 50mm 1.4D which i love :D )
 
Sigma 24-60 F2.8 if you can find one, i had one and it was a fantastic lens
 
whitey said:
Sigma 24-60 F2.8 if you can find one, i had one and it was a fantastic lens
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I'd say that it depends what is important to you in wide lens. The 24-60mm Sigma is very sharp (depending on a sample of course as it always is with Sigmas) but its bokeh is not that nice. I tried it and then decided on a 24-70 f/2.8 Sigma for that very reason. If you get the good sample, it is just as sharp (may be a small degree less sharper than 24-60) but has a very nice bokeh. Again I have to warn you about sample variation - this is one of the cases where I always prefer to buy it used especially if the owner is willing to provide samples (this is how I got my Sigma 24-70 after not so good one bought new and returned).
 
whitey said:
Sigma 24-60 F2.8 if you can find one, i had one and it was a fantastic lens
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He's not wrong (I think he wishes he hadn't sold it to me now :lol:) its as sharp as a sharp thing.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
He's not wrong (I think he wishes he hadn't sold it to me now :lol:) its as sharp as a sharp thing.

Andy
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For the price its a fantastic lens. but i needed something wider which was the main reason i sold it :lol:

as its in the range i think its not worth ruling out for the price
 
I have the Sigma 17-70f2.8 and its pretty damm sharp and not too costly worth a look
 
I'm leaning towards the ens doubling as a portrait zoom, so the wider 18-50 types will be too wide whereas 24-70 sounds ideal and would work well with my 50-150 f:2.8 (I prefer a level of overlap in ranges when workng with zooms)

I'll look into the Tamron and compare it to the Siggy.
 
I had thought about the Nikkor 35-70mm, but the lure of 24/28mm which will be more useful draws me to the thrid party manufacturers.

Why can't camera magazines run decent lens v lens reviews about the types of lenses I want to buy?
 
NorthernNikon said:
I had thought about the Nikkor 35-70mm, but the lure of 24/28mm which will be more useful draws me to the thrid party manufacturers.

Why can't camera magazines run decent lens v lens reviews about the types of lenses I want to buy?
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Just thought i'd thow it into the mix. The 35-70mm f2.8 is Nikon pro-grade glass for next to nothing. In my book one of the cheap gems out there.
 
I use the older Nikon 28-70mm F2.8 AF-S and it's superb!

Pro build and optics - and paid £499 for one with ''heavy signs of use'' - and it's fine!
 
Glad to see people recommednign the Tamron 28-75 2.8. I was in the same boat lusting after the nikon 24-70 but unable to justify the cost. Just ordered my tamron from SRS Microsystems who have it at a good price and it comes tomorrow.
 
NorthernNikon said:
Thanks, I've a D300 so I'm not worried about DX lenses, that much. 17-50 is a range I hadn't thought of. This lens would be for concert photography so I'm unsure what the best range would be.
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I have a D300. I bought a 24-70 Sigma, it was about £170 new for me (Dubai). I tried 2 copies, and they were both incredibly sharp. I used to have my Nikon 50mm f/1.4 on my D300 at all times, now it is always the 24-70mm. Give it a try, I think you will like it.

On a downside, its quite chunky, and heavy, but I like that. It feels great to hold. Mostly I use it for studio work or similar.
 
:suspect:

Got an email notification that someone had replied here, with what looked like a load of spam advertising :thinking:


:suspect:
 
Boldonian said:
Just thought i'd thow it into the mix. The 35-70mm f2.8 is Nikon pro-grade glass for next to nothing. In my book one of the cheap gems out there.
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:plusone:

Absolute bargain, sharp as a tack, great colour, lighter and smaller than the 24/28-70 f2.8, quality optics at a price lower than 3rd party lenses.
 
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