Bo Chai , Mar 12, 2010; 02:14 a.m.
I'm thinking buying a standard zoom f2.8 lens for events and portraits. I'm not considering Nikon 24-70mm because I can not afford it. I'm looking for something that is less than $1000 with good bokeh and sharpness. Any suggestion? Thanks. btw, it's gonna be using on a D90.
Ray - , Mar 12, 2010; 02:27 a.m.
I heard the Tamron 17-50 is pretty good, or something like it. Thom Hogan has a review on it.
Bo Chai , Mar 12, 2010; 02:47 a.m.
Thank you so much Ray. now there are three lenses on my list: Tamron 17-50(non-vc), Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8, and Sigma AF 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM, but I still don't know which one is better.
Michael Kohan , Mar 12, 2010; 03:20 a.m.
With a D90, events using a 16/17/18-50/55 will be good, for portraits a 24/28-70 would be good. I've been using a Nikon AF 24-85mm f/2.8-4 D Macro ($600 US) on a D70s for a few years, but just got the Tamron SP 17-50 f/2.8 VC today ($650) for wide shots of concerts and events, the vibration control being the clincher. The philharmonic concert I shot last week in a limited light auditorium finally convinced me when I found too many shots with camera shake and/or subject motion blur. I use it in conjunction with a second D70s, monopod and Sigma 50-150 f/2.8 (I wish it had vibration control), which I use for portraits too at around 70-80mm.
Bo Chai , Mar 12, 2010; 05:08 a.m.
what about this one, Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR ZL Di LD Aspherical? is it good with nikon d90? i have seen the photo taken by canon version. it's pretty sharp and the bokeh is smooth too.
Arthur Richardson 
, Mar 12, 2010; 05:14 a.m.
you should be able to get a good used Nikon 17-55 2.8 for you budget. It is definately worth considering.
Mihai Ciuca , Mar 12, 2010; 05:21 a.m.
+1 for the VC version of Tamron. Also Sigma 50-150mm/f2.8 used by Michael could be a great addition in future. I have a friend using on D90 this pair altogheter with Sigma 50mm/f1.4 and he is extremely happy.
Matthew Brennan 
, Mar 12, 2010; 06:14 a.m.
+1 for a second hand copy of the Nikkor 17-55mm if that focal length range will do it for you. I really enjoyed this zoom and the images it produced on my DX cameras.
Peter Hamm 
, Mar 12, 2010; 06:45 a.m.
Bo,
28mm at the wide end is probably just not wide enough for a crop-frame camera like the D90. The 16/17/18 - 50/55 should be the way to go for that camera. LOADS of people around here love the Tamron, some the Sigma. I don't hear anybody rave about the Tokina, although it has gotten good reviews and is probably better-built.
And the 17-55 from Nikon might be nice, but try it first, because it is big and heavy and might not balance well for you.
Carl Becker , Mar 12, 2010; 08:11 a.m.
I use a Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 on my D700 and am happy with it. For a D90 I would look at a 17-5Xmm f2.8 zoom as the focal range would fit my needs better. IMHO you should decide on the focal range that most fits your needs then look at the available zomms.
