lens purchase for D-70

[another view]

I haven't heard a bad thing about the 17-55. It's not inexpensive but supposed to be very, very good. A friend has one and loves it.

I have the 80-200 f2.8 which I bought used about five years ago. It's been a great lens but I've never used a TC with it. One thing about this lens design (also the discontinued 20-35 f2.8, 85 f1.4 and probably a few others) - the circular ring that changes it from auto to manual focus isn't exactly convenient to use. The ring on my 80-200 doesn't lock anymore so it has a piece of gaffer's tape on it to hold it on auto (only way I use this one) rather than pay for a fairly pricey repair. I think this problem is somewhat common, too.

Really, it comes down to the fact that they are different tools. If you're shooting handheld a lot, especially with a TC, you'll probably benefit a lot from a VR lens. Probably worth however much more it costs to do it because the difference might mean getting the picture and not getting the picture.

[photofun]

I haven't heard a bad thing about the 17-55. It's not inexpensive but supposed to be very, very good. A friend has one and loves it.

I have the 80-200 f2.8 which I bought used about five years ago. It's been a great lens but I've never used a TC with it. One thing about this lens design (also the discontinued 20-35 f2.8, 85 f1.4 and probably a few others) - the circular ring that changes it from auto to manual focus isn't exactly convenient to use. The ring on my 80-200 doesn't lock anymore so it has a piece of gaffer's tape on it to hold it on auto (only way I use this one) rather than pay for a fairly pricey repair. I think this problem is somewhat common, too.

Really, it comes down to the fact that they are different tools. If you're shooting handheld a lot, especially with a TC, you'll probably benefit a lot from a VR lens. Probably worth however much more it costs to do it because the difference might mean getting the picture and not getting the picture.

Thanks for the info....
:thumbsup: