$1k bang for your buck

[Sdison]

Hi all,

I'm budgeting myself $1k for a camera/lens combo. I shoot a variety of subjects, but I enjoy land/city/seascapes the most.

I already own a 35mm f/1.8 lens, but that's all. I've been shooting on my partner's D3100 for a couple of months while I'm getting to know the ropes of photography, but now I'm moving to Cairns alone for work for 4 months and need a companion to take with me on the road to cover various situations.

I'll also be buying grey.

I'm pretty set on the D7000 body - I think it's all I will ever need until I upgrade to FX. That comes in around 690 at eGlobal.

I've got two lens picks for the time being:
-Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 ($336)
- Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM ($325)

The other option I'm considering is a 18-55 and 55-200 kit lens package, which is just within budget.

Id love to know if you have any suggestions or comments on the combos I've selected.

Sam

[ricktas]

I would go the tamron 17-50 f2.8. At the 17mm end it gives you a fairly good wide view for those landscape and at 50mm you get a decent portrait lens as well. It gives you a good round starting point and you can zoom in or out more using your feet.

[arthurking83]

Tammy 17-50 is a very good lens, and will provide you with some top notch images.
I'm not sure how much more the VC version is, but if you can stretch the budget that far, I think the VC may well be worth the effort.

Another lens to take into consideration is the Nikon 18-105VR.

I'd be inclined to stick to the cheaper end of the scale for now, as you seem to indicate a possible move to Fx at some point in the future.
This way you won't have invested too much money in gear that you really didn't want in the first place.
Side benefit is that Dx only lenses still work on Fx cameras!

[Darey]

I'm with Rick, go the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens. I have been using one on my D7000 (great camera) for over 2 years and still enjoy using the kit.

I have heard that the non VC version (VC = Vibration Control) gives clearer images than the VC version. So far my non VC version has provided razor sharp shots.

[dt86vyss]

D7000 With the 17-50 2.8 is my recommendation.