What Nikon lens upgrade?

[EdJ]

Hi all,

I currently have a Nikon D7000 and a few different lenses. The one that I use the most though is a lens I've had for years and bought with my old Nikon D70 - it's a Nikkor 18-70mm - and I'd like to upgrade.

Any advice on my options? Not sure about budget yet, but just want to get another all-rounder that will be a step up from this lens.

Thanks in advance.

Ed

[RobDickinson]

What do you want out of it that the 18-70 doesnt provide?

Faster? Sharper? More range?

[EdJ]

Thanks for the reply. A faster and sharper lens would be good, but I don't want more range necessarily as I have a a few other lenses - macro, zoom and wide angle lenses - which give me plenty of variety.

[Turn7]

I think the newer 18-70 has VR2 which the early ones didnt, its a very good lens.

I use my (non VR) all the time.

[Gad-Westy]

Turn7 said:

I think the newer 18-70 has VR2 which the early ones didnt, its a very good lens.

I'm not sure that such a thing exists. Not seen one anyway. Maybe you mean the 18-105?

Depends on your budget but maybe take a look at the Nikon 17-55 2.8?

[Turn7]

Gad-Westy said:

Turn7 said:

I think the newer 18-70 has VR2 which the early ones didnt, its a very good lens.

I'm not sure that such a thing exists. Not seen one anyway. Maybe you mean the 18-105?

Depends on your budget but maybe take a look at the Nikon 17-55 2.8?

Ah, my mistake - it was the 105 I had in mind.

[Simpo Two]

EdJ said:

Thanks for the reply. A faster and sharper lens would be good, but I don't want more range necessarily as I have a a few other lenses - macro, zoom and wide angle lenses - which give me plenty of variety.

Faster and sharper would point directly to the Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 as already mentioned. Very good but with a price to match. Note that if you want faster apertures, you generally lose zoom range.

A cheaper option would be a Sigma but I haven't tried one so can't say if it's worth the money.

[coxyuk]

How about the 50mm f1.8?

[nonuts]

coxyuk said:

How about the 50mm f1.8?

Or if you don't have it the 35mm, I find I'm leaving it on my camera more and more.

[andy-xr]

The 28-300 with VR is worth a look, but you'll lose out at the wide end. For a super zoom I've been really surprised at the IQ.

The 50mm 1.4 is also worth a go as well. As is the 85mm 1.8

And the 24-70 2.8

And if you're there, then you may as well start looking at the 70-200 2.8


Dangerous if you ask me

[EdJ]

Thanks all for the replies. Plenty of stuff to think about.

Where's the best place to get lenses from, and also perhaps try before you buy? My local Jessops seems to focus more on non-SLR cameras these days.

[coxyuk]

EdJ said:

Thanks all for the replies. Plenty of stuff to think about.

Where's the best place to get lenses from, and also perhaps try before you buy? My local Jessops seems to focus more on non-SLR cameras these days.

To get the best price try here http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/
and you can hire some of the better lenses in the range from here http://www.lensesforhire.co.uk/

[andy-xr]

Fan of Jacobs on the High St, have bought from Jessops before and they do carry some stock. If online then Warehouse Express

[MikeGTi]

andy-xr said:

Fan of Jacobs on the High St, have bought from Jessops before and they do carry some stock. If online then Warehouse Express

Can't speak highly enough of Wex - Bought my 70-200 f/2.8 from them and loads of other things.

Jacobs just pip Jessops on the high street in my opinion.