24-70 F2.8 or something else?

[evader]

I shoot a lot of sports photography...both action and sports portraits...both indoors and outdoors. I will be shooting a lot of high school sports this year (football, basketball, soccer, etc.) and our City just got a semi-pro basketball team and I will have media access to all home games.

I am shooting with a D7000 and do most of the sports stuff with my 70-200 f/2.8 lens...which I love.
I do find though, that sometimes, especially when shooting basketball, that it's too much lens and I need something wider than the 70 it offers. The problem is, my other lens is the 18-55 kit lens...

So, I would like to upgrade the kit lens and I'm looking for suggestions as to which lens would be a good compliment to my 70-200?

Is the 24-70 F2.8 my best bet?

I would like something that would work as an all purpose kind of lens as well as with my sports stuff.
Is there anything else that would be good for what I'm doing?

Obviously, the 24-70 is a lot of money...but like everything else...you get what you pay for right.

I'm open to suggestions and comments so please feel free to post them

Thanks

[jdepould]

I've used the 24-70 for basketball (D300) and it works fine. It's also a pretty good second lens for grab shots.

[evader]

what about the 17-55 f/2.8?

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by evader

what about the 17-55 f/2.8?

Workable, but you might miss the 70mm. I'd rent before buying.

[sk66]

I'd say the 24-70 is your best bet.
You might be able to find an older 28-70 f/2.8 for less, but I don't think I would.
I'd probably try a Sigma version before that.

[hpotter101]

24-70 is the only bet hehe

the range is perfect, and also complements your 70-200 since you shoot mostly sports

[Nik Fikri]

u will very happy if u get 24-70 f2.8

[gturner]

Let me add, once you try that 24-70, everything else will feel like a compromise.