Assuming you want to cover range beyond 55 mm I suggested the Sigma 50-150 mm f2.8 which came for about $850. Yes, that's a lot more expensive than the 55-200 VR, but about a third of the cost of the Nikon 70-200 VR ...
alternatively you can look for 2.8 or better primes at 105 mm, 150 mm or 200 mm but for me that isn't viable because a) price is the same or more b) they are bigger and heavier lenses than the 50-150 mm c) I like to zoom and willing to accept the trade off in quality that that inevitably entails ...
I have tried out many lenses (owned and sold the 55-200, 70-300, 70-200, 105, 18-200 all Nikon all VR lenses) to find an optimal solution beyond 55 mm.
In terms of quality the 70-200 is best, but it is too heavy/ big and WAY too costly for me.
The most comfortable/ best value for money is the 55-200 VR. I have had great success with this lens at horse shows and F1 races. It is a perfect complement to the 18-55 VR and to cameras like the D3K and D5K. One could/ should be perfectly happy with that package. Light, affordable, good quality. But ....
The 70-300 is too bulky, not nearly as good beyond 200 mm as it is at 100 - 150 mm and it doesn't do well in overcast situation ,,, needs good light, especially if you are going to zoom to beyond 200 mm.
The 18-200 mm is an excellent choice if you want the convenience of a single lens and the chief compromise here is speed. Many people have this lens plus a 35 mm or 50 mm prime.
The 105VR is great quality but it's bigger than the SIgma 50-150 mm and more expensive and lacks the flexibility of a zoom.
So, after all the testing and buying and selling I have a Nikon 16-85 VR and the Sigma 50-150 mm f 2.8 ... when I think about upgrading it is to replace the 16-85 to something faster but it isn't necessary because in most circumstances I can use the Sigma ...
Total cost of lenses is about $1600. That is a pile of money for a hobby, I think.
By the way, for anything very special I rent lenses from a store called Viztek. Very affordable (usually $50 - $100 for the weekend).
I do believe that while it is attractive to have a big zoom, in the long run, having a faster lens is both far more satisfying and more useful. You won't know until you've tried one.
Mark
Thanks for the suggestion Mark.
I do want to have fast lens can you suggest a good one namely that is not too expensive.
