What is the best DX mid-zoom?

[JohnnyRebel]

What is the best DX mid-zoom for a D7000?

I'm looking for sharpness, fast aperture, quick auto-focus, VR for low-light shooting and good build-quality to include a smooth/precise zoom ring. I want it to be a joy to use and to never be the limiting factor in my shots.

JR

 

[CuriousMike]

DX lenses for your Nikon... that are made by Nikon... that meet your criteria are: Nothing.
I think the only DX lens Nikon has made that suits what you're asking for ( without knowing focal range you want ) is the 17-55 f/2.8

If you can deal with a variable aperture lens, Nikons 18-140 is very sharp and has a great range.

The newer Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.0 is well regarded.

The Sigma 18-35 f1.8 is probably the absolute sharpest and highest build quality you'll find thats DX - but it has a small focal range.

If you don't mind FX lenses on your DX body, there are other choices.

 

[Syborg1211]

What is the best DX mid-zoom for a D7000?

I'm looking for sharpness, fast aperture, quick auto-focus, VR for low-light shooting and good build-quality to include a smooth/precise zoom ring. I want it to be a joy to use and to never be the limiting factor in my shots.

JR

My favorite mid-zooms when I shot DX were the Nikon 16-85 with VR and the Sigma 17-50 with OSS. Both were excellent lenses. The Nikon was my preferred lens for hiking because of the extra width at the wide end as well as extra reach, but the Sigma won out in any portrait type of situations due to the 2.8 aperture - also I love constant aperture zooms. Both are super sharp lenses and produced excellent images for me.

The 16-85 is also Nikon's best zoom offering for DX - better than the 18-105 and 18-200 in terms of sharpness and distortion as well as size.

Edit: yep sorry meant sigma 17-50

 

[blastingcap]

Sigma 17-50 OS if you are ok with buying Sigma.

 

[Anteaus]

Spam removed.

The word professional might get you into some technicality wars with some people who believe one of the last great "pro" cameras in that range is the D300S. Unless you desire Canon, I would seriously consider the Nikon D7100 as it is an amazing camera and would leave enough money left over for lenses. The next real jump is to full frame but that would destroy your budget.

 

[blastingcap]

The word professional might get you into some technicality wars with some people who believe one of the last great "pro" cameras in that range is the D300S. Unless you desire Canon, I would seriously consider the Nikon D7100 as it is an amazing camera and would leave enough money left over for lenses. The next real jump is to full frame but that would destroy your budget.

Are you having a fun conversation with that spam bot? Lol.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

I generally shoot primes on the D7000, all of which are FX except for the 35mm f/1.8. I bought a used Nikon 18-70 f/3.5-4.5 DX a while back and it is a pretty cool lens. It is overall very sharp and I have enjoyed the vignetting for some artistic outdoor shots wide open. It is very sharp at f/8. But: it has no VR, the zoom ring feels cheap, and the vignetting is there whether I want it or not.

I have just purchased an FX camera and think I'd really like a good (perhaps very good) walking-around lens for the D7000. It seems that for $400 I can get either the Nikon 16-85 or Sigma 17-50 in E+ used condition.

JR

 

[CuriousMike]

I have just purchased an FX camera and think I'd really like a good (perhaps very good) walking-around lens for the D7000. It seems that for $400 I can get either the Nikon 16-85 or Sigma 17-50 in E+ used condition.
JR

Captain Obvious reporting for duty. Putting a DX lens on your FX body will resort to some moderate cropping.

For $400, you could also get the Nikon 24-85 which is an FX lens and is highly regarded for a "kit" lens.

 

[Anteaus]

Are you having a fun conversation with that spam bot? Lol.

Lol spambot? I honestly didn't realize.

 

[JohnnyRebel]

Captain Obvious reporting for duty. Putting a DX lens on your FX body will resort to some moderate cropping.

For $400, you could also get the Nikon 24-85 which is an FX lens and is highly regarded for a "kit" lens.

The zoom is for my DX D7000. I'll be shooting primes, primarily, on the new FX camera.

JR

 

[shailesh_prasat]

Now a days the camera quality has been increased a lot, there are many quality cameras are available in market with in reasonable price with latest features.