Sigma AF 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5

Great Alternative to Spending Money I checked excellent above, not because this lens is as fine a piece of optical equipment as a Nikon Zoom, nut because, in most photography, you won't be able to discern any difference between the two, and the Nikon costs a grand, the Sigma about $200. The Sigma is a slide zoom, which means you can rapidly snap the elementt to whatever focal length you need. It's quicker to use than a twist zoom, though it does not stay where you left it last as you move the camera to the next shot. Gravity will act on the weight of the elements and it will slie all the way to wide or tele, depending on whether the camera is pointed up or down. As a Nikon owner, I found this distracting at first, though I soon learned to get used to it. I have visually compared shots made throughout the range of this zoom, including wide open at f3.5, with shots made with my Nikon zooms in the same focal lengths and I cannot see any differences. I see no distortion, no color aberrations, no propensity to flare. The coatings are good, the color saturation of negatives are excellent. Buying a Nikkor lens is great, if you can afford it. Then you have an instrument that can be used in all kinds of highly critical conditions. But, if you examine your photographic style, you'll probably discover that most everything you shoot is well lit, and well inside the range limits of your current lenses, and you don't need a Nikkor, you just need a good lens. You will also find other uses for the $800 difference you'll get to keep. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is still true. What you have to do when each accessory you buy costs so much money, is evaluate whether or not you actually need everything you are paying for. Or, conversely, can you pay less and just get what you need? Sigma makes terrific equipment. Just check out their website to see their whole line. They chart the performance specs on each of their lenses. Compare, then choose based on your actual photo requirements. There are people for whom photography is about buying the most impressive equipment. For them, nothing but a one-of-everything Nikkor collection will do. Sigma lenses were not made for these people. Get out and shoot pictures.Read full review

Sigma 35-135mm lens Great lens, great price and is a great product for us with my D100. Light, easy to use, good match for this particular camera.

Great Alternative to Spending Money I checked excellent above, not because this lens is as fine a piece of optical equipment as a Nikon Zoom, nut because, in most photography, you won't be able to discern any difference between the two, and the Nikon costs a grand, the Sigma about $200. The Sigma is a slide zoom, which means you can rapidly snap the elementt to whatever focal length you need. It's quicker to use than a twist zoom, though it does not stay where you left it last as you move the camera to the next shot. Gravity will act on the weight of the elements and it will slie all the way to wide or tele, depending on whether the camera is pointed up or down. As a Nikon owner, I found this distracting at first, though I soon learned to get used to it. I have visually compared shots made throughout the range of this zoom, including wide open at f3.5, with shots made with my Nikon zooms in the same focal lengths and I cannot see any differences. I see no distortion, no color aberrations, no propensity to flare. The coatings are good, the color saturation of negatives are excellent. Buying a Nikkor lens is great, if you can afford it. Then you have an instrument that can be used in all kinds of highly critical conditions. But, if you examine your photographic style, you'll probably discover that most everything you shoot is well lit, and well inside the range limits of your current lenses, and you don't need a Nikkor, you just need a good lens. You will also find other uses for the $800 difference you'll get to keep. The old saying "you get what you pay for" is still true. What you have to do when each accessory you buy costs so much money, is evaluate whether or not you actually need everything you are paying for. Or, conversely, can you pay less and just get what you need? Sigma makes terrific equipment. Just check out their website to see their whole line. They chart the performance specs on each of their lenses. Compare, then choose based on your actual photo requirements. There are people for whom photography is about buying the most impressive equipment. For them, nothing but a one-of-everything Nikkor collection will do. Sigma lenses were not made for these people. Get out and shoot pictures.Read full review