Nikon 17-35 vs 18-35mm

[mattdaniels]

I'm considering a short/wide zoom for my D700 and would be interested to get some "real world" opinions on the 17-35 vs 18-35mm lenses.

I dropped my old 18-55 DX lens so now it randomly does or doesn't auto focus which can be annoying. My other lenses are the 50mm and 85mm primes and the 70-200 so I'm looking for an FX zoom that will give me some flexibility around the 18-70 ish end of things.

[Simpo Two]

The usual lenses on FX would be 14-24 and/or 24-70. Not cheap but you bought FX for quality right?

[RobDickinson]

Theres a couple of decent new 3rd party UWA FF lenses.

Tokina AT-X 16-28mm F2.8 Pro FX Lens($850USD at B&H)

and theres a AT-X 17-35 F4 PRO FX coming too I think.

[GetCarter]

Simpo Two said:

The usual lenses on FX would be 14-24 and/or 24-70. Not cheap but you bought FX for quality right?

The 24 - 70 is pretty much fixed full time to my camera. Fab lens.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-24-70mm-...

[mattdaniels]

Thanks Chaps. Will go and have a play with the 24-70.

[mattdaniels]

Thanks for the advice fellas, have taken the plunge with the 24-70.

[K12beano]

Good choice.

i was going to add that the 17-35 used to get rave reviews, but don't pay for a "new" one.

I acquired one from Greys in 2008 as a secondhand without a box - didn't have a lens hood until I "suggested" they throw one in for free - and I paid about £700. Terrifically good value at that level. Mind you it's still waiting for the FX format body - meanwhile it was noticeably better than the 20mm f/2.8 it replaced and it's streets ahead of the 35mm f/2 I subsequently picked up. However this is on the '2x which is notoriously "fussy" about which glass its sensor likes

[Simpo Two]

K12beano said:

However this is on the '2x which is notoriously "fussy" about which glass its sensor likes

Somebody else here has D2X. You could introduce them and see if they will breed.

Might get a litter of Coolpixs!

[mattdaniels]

Simpo Two said:

Somebody else here has D2X. You could introduce them and see if they will breed.

Might get a litter of Coolpixs!

I've got an equestrian photoshoot on Thursday so will be putting the new lens through its paces esp. as it's at 5:15 and outdoors so we'll lose the light after a while.

[ian in lancs]

GetCarter said:

The 24 - 70 is pretty much fixed full time to my camera. Fab lens.

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-nikon-24-70mm-...

Simpo and Get are both bob-on. The 24-70 is fantastic!

[Simpo Two]

mattdaniels said:

I've got an equestrian photoshoot on Thursday so will be putting the new lens through its paces esp. as it's at 5:15 and outdoors so we'll lose the light after a while.

Remember that opening the aperture will also lose DOF. You might be better, seeing as it's a D700, raising the ISO instead.