Help with new Lens.

[Kaye]

My daughter is getting married in a few weeks and I would like to purchase a new (better than I already have) lens for my D90.

I purchased the D7000 w/18-200mm lens (kit) last week and I am not happy with the lens. The camera is nice and I'm sure I would learn the new tech going to it from the D90, but I just don't see it being $2000 worth more than my D90 at this time. So I will be returning the kit and looking for a lens right now and then hopefully find just the D7000 body at some point. (have been unable to locate just the body anywhere). But I think starting with a better lens might be my best bet because it seems none of the lens I have are up to par for the D7000.

Anyway I have been looking at the Nikon 24-120mm, Nikon 16-85mm and Nikon 24-85mm. Would like something good for portraits and a walk around lens that will be good when I do upgrade from the D90.

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks
Kaye

[candleman]

17-55 f/2.8
24-70 f/2.8 (Nikkor) ...you obviously aren't happy with the Sigma

[gturner]

You cover the same focal lengths a number of times.

Which is the most important aspects of the new lens?
Speed?
Wide end?
Long end?
AF speed?

24-70 Nikon would be my pick

[Kaye]

Wanted something with a little more speed and length. I've been advised that the lens are just better lens they I have already.

[candleman]

something with a bit more reach.. that's actually an OK walk-around lens is a Sigma 50-150 f/2.8

very clear and sharp considering the price.
I'ts also pretty light..

I love mine.

[tyasa81]

length as in more telephoto or more range in the zoom? not sure what you are going to use it for... but you already have so many lens covering the 24-200 range... around 5 i think that i counted from you sig... i dont think you'll be happy unless you know exactly what you are going to use the lens for... if you want general usage, just use your sigma 24-70, and 70-300 for telephoto... stop buying anymore kit lens... they are not going to be much of an upgrade (or at all) to your existing line-up...

[Kaye]

All my lens except the 10-20mm (selling because I have only used one time), Sigma 24-70mm and 70-300mm are kit lens. My 24-70mm doesn't give me the length I would like as an everyday lens and my 70-300mm is a really big lens which I only use for sports. Was hoping to get something that would cover those ranges as just as very good walk around lens.

The lens I like is the Nikon 24-120mm. I was told and have read reviews that it is a better lens than any of the ones I already have for portraits, the beach and just a really sharp all around good lens. That it leans more toward a Pro type lens that the others.

[Chip]

I have the 24-85 for over 2 years and am very happy with it.

It distorts lines on buildings, so it's not the best for architectural photos. But, for all the other situations, it's sharp, has good contrast, good color, etc.

This review squares perfectly with my experience with the lens. Not a pro lens, but still quite good.

Not sure if the zoom range is what you want. But, it's a good lens.

[scootermcq]

Originally Posted by Kaye

The lens I like is the Nikon 24-120mm. I was told and have read reviews that it is a better lens than any of the ones I already have for portraits, the beach and just a really sharp all around good lens. That it leans more toward a Pro type lens that the others.

The f/4 or the 3.5-5.6? The former I have heard nothing but bad things about, and the latter is kinda pricey, and recommended for FX more than DX bodies.

What was your concerns with the 18-200? It might help us narrow down your search.

I also have to agree with you period that the D7000 is not enough of an upgrade to jump from the D90. I was going to make the jump just for the reported higher ISO capability. When I tried it in comparison to the D90, I could not see enough of an improvement at ISO 1600 to make it worth while.

[Kaye]

The 18-200mm came with the D7000 that I am returning. The lens was not bad on my D90, but very soft on the D7000. After much thought I just didn't see $2000 for what really did not seem that much of an upgrade for my use. I had thought I might purchase the D7000 body alone if I could locate one, but now I'm not to sure. My D90 really does what I need it to do right now. What really surprised me was that the 18-200mm was way sharper on my D90 than it was on the D7000.

Nikon AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR Nano is the lens I was looking at. My favorite was around lens in the kit 18-105mm lens that came with my D90, but I would like something with a little better color, etc.