Sold my lens; Lets start from scratch.

[redz]

So my camera is my hobby. When I saw the prices of the 17-55 f/2.8 lenses skyrocket due to the crisis in Japan, I figured it was the best time to try and sell it. I ended up getting $1200 for a lens I paid $800 a year ago.

I honestly just couldn't justify having such an expensive lens considering how often I take photos.

Also, because I paid so much for my 17-55, I haven't been able to find the budget to buy a longer range lens, and have lost many photo ops.

So now with the $1200 I made, I'm thinking about getting an 80-200 f/2.8D push/pull for $400-ish.

That leaves me with an empty space for wide-angle. What can I do to replace my 17-55 f/2.8, and still be satisfied with the photos?
My biggest concern with the kit 18-55 was that you can never isolate your subject and get a nice bokeh with such a small aperture.


As much as most people will contest that the 17-55 is a great lens and I shouldve kept it, selling it will allow me to get 2 lenses, so I can have a lot more photo opportunities with a broader range. This isn't my job, so the lenses don't pay for themselves in the long run... I pay for them.

 

[static808]

i have no idea what you like to shoot, but with that budget that you have, i'd try to pick up a used 10.5, 35/1.8 and 70-300vr. along with your 85/1.8, you'd have a very well rounded kit.

 

[redz]

Maybe I've been spoiled by my 17-55 f/2.8, but I feel extremely inclined to go for a used 80-200 f/2.8D instead of the 70-300VR... Just for the ability to have a wide aperture under my sleeve.

In terms of what I like to shoot. Anything. I'm a casual shooter, so my camera accompanies me to family dinners, trips to the zoo, or vacations with friends. Nothing formal, I just like getting great pictures of my life when I can. I hate when I go on a vacation and have subpar pictures that don't really transmit the emotions we were feeling at the moment.

 

[lexdiamonnyc]

Tamron 17-50 2.8 (non-BIM)
Tokina 50-135 2.8
Nikon 35 1.8G(when prices come back to reality)


or

Nikon 35-70 2.8
Nikon 80-200 2.8push/pull or 70-300VR
Tokina 12-24 f4


or


Tokina 12-24 F4
Nikon 35 1.8G
Tokina 50-135 2.8

 

[NateS]

I'd get the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Quality is every bit as good as the 17-55, you just sacrifice the tank build quality (and weight). That said, the tamron isn't built badly.

Unless you are wanting a 2.8 for the longer end, consider the new Tamron 70-300 VC. It is sharper at 300mm than the Nikon 70-300 VR and the VC is better too than the Nikon. It is also very good at doing portraits and you can still get some nice subject isolation on the longer end.

 

[lazeeb0i]

Tokina 11-16, Nikon 80-200 Push-Pull , Sigma 30mm 1.4

 

[ThomasAdams]

Do you think that the "used" prices of the gear you want to buy are unaffected by the same economics under which you sold your lens for a profit?

Now may be a good time to sell, but you have positioned yourself to also buy in an inflated market... I do hope it works out for you.

Tokina 12-24
80-200 2.8push/pull
50mm f/1.8

 

[Joseph]

BGN 20-35 2.8 ............ $500
BGN 80-200 2.8 p/p ......$400
BGN 50 1.4D or 85/1.8...$300
total =1200

 

[Patrick]

I don't really know about the US market but here I would try to get a:

Used Tamron 17-50 2.8, around €225-250 ish
Used Nikon 80-200 Push-Pull, around €400

Which leaves you for another €550. For that cash you can get a solid used 12-24 Nikkor-Tokina f4 for some wider action...

 

[Spunky424]

I don't really know about the US market but here I would try to get a:

Used Tamron 17-50 2.8, around €225-250 ish
Used Nikon 80-200 Push-Pull, around €400

Which leaves you for another €550. For that cash you can get a solid used 12-24 Nikkor-Tokina f4 for some wider action...

i liquidated my lenses as well and currently own the two above:

tamron 17-50mm 2.8
Nikon 80-200mm Push/Pull

also have a siggy 30mm f/1.4

with these three i'm pretty well set. btw good move on selling the nikon 17-55mm f/2.8. you made a good profit on it.

 

[bigshot]

Get the Tamron everyone is recommending. You'll have your cake and eat it too