Whats the best normal ZOOM lens?

[Ken N]

A follow-up:

I did get an Olympus Zuiko 35-80 F2.8. It really is a lens that will go down in history as a legend. It isn't a common lens that easily out resolves most films. The bokeh is extremely pleasant.

 

[Jeff L]

I gotta put the Zeiss 28-85 f3.3 for Contax SLR in the mix too. Very sharp- big too. Great, great lens though. Most Zeiss for Contax are.

 

[winjeel]

Regarding the Minolta line, the newer AF zooms are now brilliant. the 28-70mm G is much better in quality (and of course flexibility) than the 50mm 1.4 (which is still regarded stunning).

However, on the longer end, I'd dare say that even the newer 70-200mm G, as stunning as it is, is still second fiddle, but only just, to the 300mm G. ("G" being the designation for 'Gold' for the pro-level lenses).

 

[nicefor88]

I would agree with Charles that it's always better to use a prime lens rather than a zoom. But!
In practice, a zoom can help you capture the right moment that you could miss because you have to change your lens.
Look at all these press photographers. How many use prime lenses? Nearly none! They use the fastest zoom available on the market, the 14-24, 28-70 and 70-200 opening ot f2,8. Sure awfully expensive but damn good.

 

[waynecrider]

Instead of "normal" zoom I would offer the term walk-about zoom and in that category a 35-105 or 35-135 would fit the description for me. I've had both in Nikon, no big deal, but the Canon 35-105 comes highly recommended by many, although I don't have it.

 

[benjiboy]

The best medium range lens I have ever used and one of the fastest is the Vivitar Series 1 2.8-3.5 28-90 Varifocal, It's very heavy, and you have to re-focus every time you change the focal length, but performs as well as many prime lenses.

 

[mjs]

I am continually amazed at the image quality from my Minolta 28-135mm f/3.5-4.5 lens. Handy range of focal lengths, too: it's the 'normal' lens on my 7xi.