Nikon 17-35 or 17-55 2.8?

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firstglance

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Jess
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I've had both of these recommended to me, and just wondered if anyone had any further opinions on either?

I shoot with a D200, and would be using for portraits and weddings.

Thanks! :)
 
You really want to stay above 50mm for most portrait shots, unless you want to make peoples heads look big on purpose.
 
The 17-55 is your best option for weddings and portraits. On D200 your effective focal length is 25.5-82.5mm. Should be wide enough for group shots at the 25.5 end and close enough for head/shoulder or full length if required at the other end.

The 17-35 wouldn't be able to do head/shoulder types shots without getting really (uncomfortably) close to subjects and as cyclone says, will probably get some subject distortion too that close.
 
The 17-55 is better wide open than the 17-35, so on that basis, -assuming you work in available light, the 17-55.

(if you'd asked about landscapes I'd given the opposite answer!)
 
If you have the intention to keep the D200 for a while, buy the 17-55mm. If you plan to move to "full-frame", buy the 17-35mm, which is one of the best ultra wide angle zooms ever made.
To shoot weddings, the 17-35mm may be too short in some occasions, even in a APS-C body.
 
jimlizard said:
If you plan to move to "full-frame", buy the 17-35mm, which is one of the best ultra wide angle zooms ever made
Click to expand...

Agreed - it might not be as sharp in the corners wide open as the newer 14-24 f/2.8 but I think the 17-35 is basically a more useful lens to have.
 
puddleduck said:
Agreed - it might not be as sharp in the corners wide open as the newer 14-24 f/2.8 but I think the 17-35 is basically a more useful lens to have.
Click to expand...

Yes, the 14-24mm is the new "Queen" (better than many primes), but the 17-35mm still an excellent lens and more useful for general use, like you said. :)
 
The D700 is on my wishlist, but I think I'm still a good year away from it.. so it sounds like the 17-55mm is my best bet for now. Incidentally, the two recommendations I've had for the 17-35mm use 'full-frame'.

Thanks guys!
 
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