Best Lens: Can anyone recommend a good sharp lens for about that much.
684751
Well, considering your ranges, I think for you it would be nice to have some more options in the wide angle range. For you I recommend the Sigma 10-20mm DSH. This one actually comes at about $470, which is more than half for the comparable Nikon 12-24mm and it is wider by 2mm; which is a lot at this range. Sigma is of course, a third party lens manufacturer. But I assure you that with some research and inspection, you can find a copy that meets your satisfaction. They are other wide angles, but so far sigma comes with the widest of the wide for your camera body. By the way, if I was you, I would trade in your 28-80 and 18-55, keep the 50mm lens and if your 18-200mm happens to be the Nikon 18-200mm DX VR, of course keep it too. When you first start out with SLR systems, you think you want a bunch of lenses, but in reality, you don't. You will be more than satisfy with a set of tree or even two lenses that meet all your photographic needs. Finally, I will state that there is no nicer artistic tool than the exaggeration of perspective that wide angle lenses may provide you.
139521
Michael, I purchased the Orion 8715 5x high power Barlow lens for $169 and got a fine crisp image from it .I also liked the heft of it and the cool inner brass ring. Only thing is, a $39 3x. Barlow is not only just as good, but allows me to utilize a wider range of my eyepieces. Lemme put it to you this way...the overkill factor on the 5x Barlow is insane, to say the least.
873452
Another option is getting the 50mm 1.8 for about a hundred bucks. Takes great shots and you can still buy the 28-135. I bought my 28-135 used and love having both lenses.
130813
Really quite Good. This is an excellent lens. I still have mine. Maybe the photos I took with it are still on http://amazon.com. Check out Kurtmunger for excellent review of this lens.
862651
I've only had this lens for about 1 month and taken approximately 500 shots with it, so my expertise is limited. This is a very sharp lens, picture quality is excellent and its performance has been flawless. My only complaint, if you want to call it that, is its weight. It is a beefy lens, due to the f/2.8 speed over the entire range of focal lengths which is remarkable. I considered a Nikon lens, however I had a hard time justifying more than double the cost. I would highly recommend this lens to anyone desiring a medium range zoom lens. It, I think, will be my workhorse.
1190460
I have a D7000 and use this lens a lot. Good overall lens-sharp good with landscapes.
1262995
The nifty fifty (50mm f1.8) will do the same at 100 bucks :) However, you will constrained to shoot with it in tighter/smaller spaces due to longer focal length.
1784426
The lens is great for all around use. Tack sharp and worth every penny. If you plan on moving full frame it's worth it. On a DX body it will act like a 36-105. It's a bit on the weighty side but not over bearing. I have found the images have a certain pop to them that most other lenses can't provide unless they have the nano coating. Your other option is the great 17-55 which is designed for DX cameras. Look online there are some great reviews. If money isn't an issue go for it.
2193888
Close, but no. If you're looking for the speed of the 35 mm lens, you'll want the 18-300 mm lens, approximately $900.00. But the speed is so close that I don't worry about it, I just change settings to try and compensate with the camera.
1866471
Absolutely. It is a very sharp lens perfect if you ever need to crop or make exceptional enlargements. It's only real flaw is its relatively short zoom range. But that is the price you pay for above average sharpness in a zoom lens.
824633
I find the 28 to 70 lens to be a really great lens, sharp, easy to use, fast focus but a bit heavy when used for an event such as weddings. I would recommend looking at 24 - 70mm lens by sigma.
105767
By far the best overall performing lens is the Pentax DA 18-250mm F3.5-5.6. This lens is a miracle performer from wide to zoom. Hunting around you can get this lens for under $400.I would highly recommend having more then one lens so you can shoot in a greater variety of settings. I currently have 3 lenses but my 18-250mm spends the bulk of its time on my K20D.
120648
If money is a concern, try the "fantastic plastic" or sometimes called the "nifty fifty". That's the Canon EOS 50mm f/1.8. Great lens. Best optics per dollar, for sure. Only complaint people have had has been about the quality of background blur when shooting wide open. I haven't had an issue personally, it's acceptable for the price. It IS rather ugly compared to the quality of bokeh on the f/1.2L .. But you can buy 15 of the 1.8s for the price of the 1.2, so that's to be expected. The 1.4 has had some great reviews as well.
1204901
I highly suggest going with the lesser known and fantastic 28-70mm F2.8. Great price, amazing glass.
1773175
I think this is the best option without going nuts on budget, not cheap not so expensive. Distortion for Architectural is acceptable, obviously the more closer you are you will notice some, its not the 24mm or the zoom but believe me is sharp as hell, even more at f2.5 and f8 ... careful with a lil shift focus at night mostly at f4, other than that im super happy with this lens and i take it to travel a lot
2173991
I got this lens for my brother, and I really like it, we used a lot. Take a look of some pictures at www.mediawork.ws
558459
This lens is second to none. It has great contrast and clarity even at f/2.8. It has low distortion, focuses quickly, accepts filters, and works on full-frame cameras as well as "cropped sensor" DX ones. And if you hit someone with it, they'll probably go down. If you have a DX camera, you can save money by compromising on some of those features. Tokina's 16-50 f/2.8 DX lens is well-regarded and perhaps the closest to the Nikon 17-35. It's supposedly sharp and has good contrast both wide open and stopped down. It's solidly built. Landscape shooters like it. $600 Nikon's 12-24 f/4G DX lens is also very good. It might be too wide for you. $1000 Nikon's 16-85 f/3.5-5.6 DX is good, though not in the same class. $675 Note that I have experience only with the 17-35 (bought used). The rest is based on conversations with people who own those lenses.