70-200 vr ii

[LoveDSLR]

Compatibility and 'the best of' are two different things. Today's Nikon D3x/D3/D700 owners spend big bucks on bodies, so it is likely that they will buy better lenses.

A $2,400 70-200 f/2.8 VR II or $5,000 200 f/2 VR isn't that a big deal when pair with a $5,000 D3 or $8,000 D3x. A B+W 77mm Circular Polarizer alone will cost more than a 50 f/1.8.

If you look at Canon, it has four different versions of 70-200 pro lenses and NOT everyone buying the top model for their 5D Mark II. You can consider Sigma 70-200 f/2.8, Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 and Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 when the time comes, since they all work with Nikon FX bodies.

FYI only, here's my general suggestions from another thread:

Originally Posted by loveDSLR

Lenses:

General
24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8 VR, 35 f/1.8 AF-S DX or 50 f/1.8 (only if you have a DX consumer body)

UWA
10-24 DX, 14-24 f/2.8 or 17-35 f/2.8 (wedding. overlapped is intended), Sigma 12-24

Macro
60, 105, 200, Sigma 105, 150, Tamron 90, 180

Portraits
35 f/1.8 DX, 50 f/1.4, 85 f/1.4, 105 DC, 135 DC, 200 f/2 VR

Sports, BIF and Wildlife
200-400, 300, 400, 500 etc.

Low night
Nikon 50 f/1.2 AIS, Nikon 58 f/1.2 NOCT (discontinued)

Misc.
10.5 DX or 16 (fun lens)
18-200 VR DX or Tamron 28-300 VC (DX and FX all-in-one)
28-105, 35-70 f/2.8 discontinued (FX walkabout)
80-400 VR

Suggested lists:

Affordable:
18-55, 55-200 VR or 70-300 VR, 50 f/1.8 (manual focus on some bodies) or 35 f/1.8 AF-S DX, extension tubes

Good (D80, D90 and D300):
Sigma 10-20/Nikon 10-24, Sigma/Tamron 24-70 f/2.8, Nikon 70-300 VR, 50 f/1.8, Nikon 60/Tamron 90/Sigma 105

Better (D80, D90 and D300):
Nikon 10-24 DX/Nikon 12-24 DX, Sigma/Tamron/Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, Sigma/Tamron/Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 or Nikon 80-200 f/2.8, Nikon 105 macro VR/Sigma 150/Tamron 180, 50 f/1.4, 80-400 VR

Best:
14-24 or 17-35 f/2.8, 24-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, 85 f/1.4, 200 f/2, 300 f/2.8, 200-400 f/4, 105 micro VR or 200 micro, 58 f/1.2 NOCT

Prioritize your focal length needs and substitute them with brands/models according to your budget.