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I am looking at buying one of the following to use as a general purpose lens for wedding and social functions.

17-35 f2.8 ED
DX 17-55 f2.8 ED

At this stage I am leaning towards the 17-55 as it is the more current design and I think it would be better suited to my D70??.

I used the 17-35 once about a year ago and found it to be slow to focus especially in low light situtaions?

Does anyone have experience with these two lens and which one would you choose.

Any comments would be welcome.

Consider looking for a 2nd hand 20-35mm f2.8 as well. Older build but still built like a tank. For those who have handled one or have one, it's a sweet lens and at less cost than the 17-35.

If you feel like you need that extra bit of reach that you can't get because you can't walk to the subject, then go the 17-55. I'd feel more inclined to go the 17-35 or 20-35 tho.

barry wrote:I am looking at buying one of the following to use as a general purpose lens for wedding and social functions.

17-35 f2.8 ED
DX 17-55 f2.8 ED

At this stage I am leaning towards the 17-55 as it is the more current design and I think it would be better suited to my D70??.

I used the 17-35 once about a year ago and found it to be slow to focus especially in low light situtaions?

Does anyone have experience with these two lens and which one would you choose.

Any comments would be welcome.

Oh, looking at your signature, you have some great glass, why not get the big pappa, "The Beast" 28-70, I never looked back!

28-70mm is also PRO grade lens. There are excellent reviews from reputable sources on this lens.

I think the range it covers on a DSLR with the crop factor 1.5x is a little odd. 42mm-105mm. I don't know, it's good to be used with current film cameras, or possible future FF DSLRs. I prefer the 17-35mm lens.

The obvious choice for many is 12-24mm DX, 28-70mm, 70-200mm VR. Three lenses for the money covers 12-200mm range.

I am planning to have 17-35mm 50mm f/1.4 85mm f/1.8 (Sigma 100-300mm F/4 or 80-200mm)

3 gaps or 2 gaps (if 80-200mm) in standard range. I can live with this.

Thanks for comments guys.

Oz_Beachside, I was thinking that the 70mm end of the 24-70 maybe too long. With my shooting I tend to shoot with wider angles than maybe this lens offers.

Another vote for a 2nd hand 20-35 here. I have one and love it.

Alex

Can't be more happy with my 17-55 here

I haven't used the 17-55, but have had the 17-35 for about a year now and apart from about 2 months in the shop earlier this year (and yes, I missed it like an arm), it hasn't missed a beat - I actually find the focus speed quite good.

But, on a FF (film SLR) it is fantastic!

P