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			|  | 01/28/2008 06:13:57 PM · #1 | 
		| | i have the 18-70dx and was wondering if the 17-55 is that much of a better lens to warrant the £800-$1600 it costs in england. | 
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			|  | 01/28/2008 07:03:00 PM · #2 | 
		| | | Originally posted by tchaik: i have the 18-70dx and was wondering if the 17-55 is that much of a better lens to warrant the £800-$1600 it costs in england.
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 It depends. If you're shooting weddings professionally, then it is probably worth the money. If you're an amateur trying to put a cost effective kit together, there are probably better choices.
 
 The more technical answer is, yes the 17-55 is a truly excellent lens, sharp and sturdy,  one of Nikon's classics. It's also big and heavy, and $1000 more than the 18-70. The 18-70 is a very good lens for the price, fairly sharp, lightweight, reasonably fast focusing. But there isn't really anyone who will claim that the 18-70 is in the same class as the 17-55.
 
 If you want something at the 17-55 focal length that's better than the 18-70 but not so expensive, I hear the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 is very good.
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			|  | 01/28/2008 08:16:18 PM · #3 | 
		| | Depends what you shoot.  A good support system, or stobes, or a couple fast primes is probably a better investment for the average user than the extra quality and f/stop (give or take) that the 17-55 would give you. | 
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			|  | 01/28/2008 08:23:19 PM · #4 | 
		| | I've owned both and do prefer the 17-55 (sold the 18-70).  The 17-55 gives you more low light flexibility and is sharper, but it is a lot more expensive.  If you shoot a lot of indoor photos the constant aperture is nice to have.  I agree that if you're starting out, I'd get a prime or two (the 50 1.8D is still my sharpest lens) and an external flash if you don't have one. 
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			|  | 01/28/2008 08:30:27 PM · #5 | 
		| | I used to think that the 18-70mm was perfect. Then i bought the 17-55 and now gag a little every time i look at old pictures taken with my old 18-70
 IF you can afford it, go for the 17-55! Remember, you're not spending the money, you're investing it!
 
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			|  | 01/29/2008 02:36:07 PM · #6 | 
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			|  | 01/29/2008 02:47:16 PM · #7 | 
		| | I'll speak up for the Tamron 17-50 2.8.  That constant aperture is wonderful.  I've gotten very, very good results with it.  I'm guessing it's less than the Nikon 17-55, but I haven't checked. 
 Message edited by author 2008-01-29 14:47:43.
 
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