Honestly im just so fed up with dragging around this massive bag of prime lenses every time I go out to shoot. I have a Nikon D750 and I love the image quality, but switching between my 35mm and 85mm constantly is driving me insane especially when I am traveling. I was in Chicago last weekend for a street photography trip and missed like three perfect shots because I was busy fumbling with a lens cap and trying to swap glass while standing in a crowd. My logic was that primes would make me a better photographer but right now they are just making me miss moments.
I have a budget of maybe around 800 to 1000 bucks tops because my wife is already eyeing my camera gear fund with suspicion. I need something that covers the basics so I can just leave it on the body for 90 percent of my day without feeling like I have to compromise on sharpness too much. I keep looking at the 24-120mm f/4 but then I read forum threads saying its soft at the long end and then I pivot to the 24-70mm f/2.8 but the good Nikon version is way out of my price range and the third party ones seem hit or miss with autofocus accuracy.
- Need reliable autofocus
- Needs to be somewhat portable because my back is killing me
- Must be full frame compatible
Im basically at my wits end here. Should I just bite the bullet and find a used pro zoom or is there some hidden gem I am totally missing? I just want to be able to walk out the door without a backpack full of crap and actually enjoy taking pictures again instead of feeling like a gear technician. Does anyone actually use a single lens for everything on these cameras without hating the results?
Honestly, if you want that extra light, look at a used Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2. It nails focus way better than the older first-gen versions, and the VC is solid for low light. Just check DXOMARK or the optical tests on Photozone to see the sharpness data yourself.
- Sharpness is super competitive
- VC system saves your back
- Fits your budget perfectly
^ This. Also, in my experience, chasing f/2.8 zooms on a budget often leads to headache. Honestly, I've tried many over the years and found that a clean used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED is worth every penny if you can stretch slightly. Forget the third-party stuff, the focus reliability of pro glass is just better. Keep it simple and reliable so you stop missing those shots.
> I have a budget of maybe around 800 to 1000 bucks tops I feel your pain. Honestly, look for a used Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR. You can easily find them under budget. While it isnt an f/2.8, the vibration reduction is stellar. Just be careful with your aperture settings at 120mm to keep things sharp. It is the best way to stop the gear swapping insanity without breaking the bank.
