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Lens Recommendations

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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
I know it's the millionth thread ever about lens help, I just wondered if you guys could give me some advice though.
I'm looking to buy a wider angle lens. I have a Nikon D7000. The lenses that I have now are a Nikon 50mm 1.8, 18-55 Kit lens from D3100 3.5-5.6 and a Sigma 70-200 2.8. I really would just like something to use instead of the kit lens. Something sharper mostly.

My budget is really just how much I would like to spend on a lens right now.
I don't really want to get into my spending abilities, but I've been saving up for a new car after mine got totaled and I have insurance money from that, that will be going towards a new car this summer. So I have a good amount of money at the moment, but I would really like to spend as little as I possibly can because I really have to save my money for when I do go to buy a new car.

I saw a 16-35 new on ebay for $930, which seems like a good price to me.

I was looking at some 14-24's but those seem like a little much for me to be spending right now. Unless you guys can really convince me that a 14-24 is worth it, then I might consider dropping the cash on it.

So what would some other lower-budget alternatives be? Dropping 1800 on a lens just seems like a ton, while I'm trying to save like this.

Any other lens recommendations would be really helpful. Any experience based help would be great too.

Thanks a ton in advance guys.
Jan 8 2012 4:17AM
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eheath
Posts: 61601 - Karma: 123,029
Tamron 17-50 is a great budget option. If you wanna go wider than 17 I sugest a tokina 11-16 or a nikon 10.5mm. It sounds like with your budget you could buy the 17-50 and the either the 11-16 or the 10.5mm.
Jan 8 2012 5:39AM
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.Ian.
Posts: 1568 - Karma: 72
Thanks eheath! That is actually a really good idea to possibly get both, the 17-50 and the 11-6 or 10.5.

Just curious, if I find anything on ebay, do you think I should buy it off of there? I've just always heard of people getting "bad" copies of third party lenses.
I just was thinking, without anyways to see the lens or image quality, should it still be fine to buy them on ebay?

Thanks again.
Jan 8 2012 10:20AM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
ONLY buy camera stuff off of ebay if you can return it and the seller rating is 100%. I've heard of people getting screwed with bad copies, but if you can return it it's not a big deal.
Jan 8 2012 1:10PM
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MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Well you could get both the 11-16 and 10.5 but it'd be kinda pointless(unless you want a fisheye too) But if you want a fisheye I'd look at the Tokina 10-17 or Sigma 10-20(both amazing). I'd definitely get the 17-50 that's what I have and I love it, it's great. I'd definitely go for the 11-16 it's an AMAZING UWA. As for bad copies of third party lenses Tamrons quality control is very good and I haven't heard of many problems. If I were you I would look for a used Great-Mint condition Tamron 17-50 on craigslist and look for something that costs from $300-$350, cause that's a pretty good deal. Also make sure you dont get the VC version because it costs more and is not as sharp. But if you don't get the 10.5 i'd consider a telephoto to add to your kit in the future once you get some more money. Hope this is clear and helps you!
Jan 8 2012 1:11PM
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