Looking to replace my kit lens....

[fangelico]

I have the Nikon D80 with the kit lens 17-135mm and would like to replace it with a good all around zoom... perhaps out to 200mm. Looked at 2.8 sigma but would like to see any other suggestions... (I also have the 50mm 1.4 Nikkor)........thanks!!

[Travis]

What are you replacing the 17-135? What don't you like about it? and what are you looking to spend?

this will help with advice

[fangelico]

was looking for a slightly longer lens but more so, my impression was that the kit lens was not of great quality.. that probably should have been my first question.. thanks!

[Travis]

and budget?

[fangelico]

this sigma (Sigma Zoom Telephoto 70-200MM F/2.8 II EX DG APO HSM Autofocus Lens For Nikon Camera) is about $700 but was hoping to be under that say 500 area... do you have an opinion on my kit lens...

[Travis]

i don't have usable experience with the 17-135... but... most nikon consumer lenses are usually pretty good and have the same i.q. patterns

a little soft wide and long, a little soft at widest aperture, and really really sharp everywhere else..

if ur budget is $500 you may want to keep the 17-135 and also grab the really sharp 70-300 VRII Nikon.... throw in an extra $125 and pick up the Nikon 50mm 1.8 prime... this way you have 17-300mm in range and really sharp prime for lowlight shooting....

if ur thinking 3rd party 2.8 tele's and are into sharp, you should consider the new Tamron 70-200 2.8 instead of the Sigma.... the Tamron is a touch slower and a little louder to focus, but outperforms the Sigma in image quality pretty much through the whole range and at wide apertures...

good luck!

[fangelico]

Great advice - thanks! I actually do have the 50mm 1.4 nikon prime... great lens..
I will take a look at the 70-300...