Moving up to FX: Best walkaround zoom?

I'd want a 24-70mm F2.8. Get the shot in any lighting without aperture being linked / limited to focal length.

Sigma, Tokina, Tamron make good slightly more affordable alternatives that are well reated if money is an issue.

After much deliberation, I went with the Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM. It ticked all the boxes for me as a standard zoom, with decent range and image quality, without being too large. Plus I could afford it, especially as I got it new for a very good price, here in Oz.

For low light work I may have to use a fast prime, although it annoys me greatly that Nikon have not updated any of their primes with VR, as I have shaky hands.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who joined in and offered their advice and experience...much appreciated.

P.S. I'm really enjoying the D850 and have had no issues with it so far (garbage Snapbridge aside).

Tamron 24-70 G2 would be my suggestion. It's not the lightest option, but neither is the D850 so weight cant have been too much of a deciding factor

SnipSnap said:

Tamron 24-70 G2 would be my suggestion. It's not the lightest option, but neither is the D850 so weight cant have been too much of a deciding factor

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New Zealander working in conservation, taking photos along the way: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leonberard/albums

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Good choice. It was a very close toss up between the Tamron 24-70 and the Sigma 24-105. In the end it came down to price and focal range (must mention that price became an issue lately, with both my wife and I needing surgery for various age related crap).

I really don't need a faster lens, as I do very little low light work, I do however like the longer reach of 105mm. Image quality is so similar that, handheld, I am unlikely to notice the difference between the two zooms. When I want better, I use a tripod and primes...which I will buy more of as time goes on.

I also have a D7200, so more choices there.

JacquesC said:

In the Raw said:

So, I'm taking the plunge and buying an FX body, the D850. Although I mostly prefer using primes, I'll also want a general purpose walk around zoom, but am getting conflicting advice from D810 and other FX owners I know.
I don't have good endurance and hills knock the wind out of me, so nothing too heavy for an old fart like me. If I need big gear, I bring the car, lol.

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The 24-120 f4 is a pretty decent lens for your purpose, or perhaps the new Tamron 24-70 f2.8 VC G2.

I've been using the 24-120 on a D700, D800, and D750 and am quite happy with it.



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Jacques
apple-and-eve.com

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I agree the 24-120 F4 is very underrated by many due to the fact that is was chosen as a kit lens for the 810. I purchased it as a kit, for just that reason I wanted a walk around and have been very impressed with the lens. I use it backpacking, and it is very nice to have a good general purpose one lens solution when weight becomes an annoyance.

In the Raw said:

After much deliberation, I went with the Sigma 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM. It ticked all the boxes for me as a standard zoom, with decent range and image quality, without being too large. Plus I could afford it, especially as I got it new for a very good price, here in Oz.
For low light work I may have to use a fast prime, although it annoys me greatly that Nikon have not updated any of their primes with VR, as I have shaky hands.

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I agree. I ended up buying the Tamron 35mm 1.8 VC, to get VR in my walk around prime.