So I know that the nikon lens is far superior to the sigma lens, but is it truly worth $1000 more? I have to buy one or the other by next week and I could use the advice....Also, does anyone know the best/fastest place to get one? I am on the waiting list at Hunt's but I don't know if I will get it in time. THANX!

I'm actually a fan of the 28-75mm tamron. I have a few Tamron lenses that I'm really happy with--but have not found one I love in the sigma line yet. (haven't tried the 24-70 though)

I don't know about the Sigma but the Nikon lens is very good.

In my opinion the way to save money on lenses is to buy used, not 3rd party.

well, I have the nikon d3, so the lenses that fit on my camera are brand new, so I could not find them used, and the tamron does not work on the d3. otherwise I would be all over it.

Buy a used nikon, its cheaper than new and you will most likely get a good lens if you pay attention to what you are buying.

I have to agree with the quality of the nikon lenses.

I have the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 that I love. It has served me very well, and is overall a sharp lens.

I am more in love with my 70-200 f2.8 VR lens that surpasses any 3rd party lens. The sharpness is incredible. I suspect the VR helps in that area.

I am getting more and more agreeable to sticking with the Nikon lenses. Just sharper. Yes. I can definately tell the difference.

It has been hard to even find a 17-50 nikon lens that is reasonable. I understand it is a wonderful lens too. But paying just below retail, even used, has me a little unwilling to plunge. But I suppose you do get what you pay for (as I tell my brides)... Unfortunately, some of them STILL go with a part-timer...then they end up bringing me their disc to fix the images they are so bad. Go figure.

I think I will wait to find someone really needing to sell their 17-50, or wait for my clients to order their albums. I figure it will be worth the wait.

The 24-70/2.8 is basically unbeatable for that range on the D3. It's sharp, focuses quickly, and is built very well. It's a bit heavy but that heft must be necessary.

We don't buy third party lenses anymore after being burned by a Tamron 90mm macro.

Nikon has more lenses that will work on your D3 than will not work on it. Anything that isn't very old (Pre-AI) and one or two oddball lenses like the fisheye that required old style mirror lockup will work. Lenses marked AI, AI-S, AF, AF-D, AF-G, AF-I, AF-S will work on your D3. (AI and AI-S are manual focus.)

If I were looking to save money in the 24-70 range I would look at the 28-70/2.8 that it replaced. You can find them for around $900. Or a 35-70/2.8 for about the same cost as the Sigma. Both are very good lenses.

One good thing about buying used is that most of the depreciation is gone. If you get a good one and take care of it you can probably sell it for close to what you paid. If you buy a new third party lens it will lose much of its value when you try to sell it, if you can sell it at all.

Always invest your money in the best possible glass, in this case it's the Nikon 24-70. Try KEH.com, B&H, Calumet, Unique Photo, Wolf Express, or Wolf Camera, there are a ton of places that should have at least one. Know they are hard to find, but if you look, you should be albe to find one.

And if you are not shooting full frame the 17-55 F2.8 is great too! It works out to 27.2-88mm on a 1.6x crop sensor.

Given the fact that I take about 70% of my wedding images with my 17-55/2.8, it was WELL WORTH the $1200 for that one. If a particular lens is going to be used that much of time, wouldn't you want to get the best you can?

I use my Tamron 28-75 without a problem on the D3. It works full frame--and maybe I just have a good copy--but that lens is fantastic.

Since getting the D3 however, I've been using more primes--and so rarely pull out the zooms except for my 70-200.

Bummer you guys got a bad 90mm Damon, I love ours and use it at every wedding.

I thought all Nikon's were 1.5x? What did I miss?

I've bought 1/2 of my Nikon lenses used.

Buy The Nikon Lens! You won't regret it. Much Better Glass and Better resale value.
Period.

oops my bad! Correct numbers 25.5-82.5mm

I own the Canon mount version of the Sigma lens you are looking at. It is a good lens, not a great lens. If money is really a concern, buy the sigma, but plan to buy it again in 12-24 months because it just doesn't hold up that well. I've owned mine for about 6 months and it was a great investment since I was just getting started, but I won't buy another off-brand lens after renting name brand stuff and comparing the build quality.

Just checking

Thank you for all the opinions. I do really need to buy a full frame because this grayed out box is killing me and from what all of you tell me, I think the safe bet is going with the nikon lens.Thank you!VERY good to know. I think you just made my decision

***update****

I bought the nikon 24-70...thank you so much for your advice!