kanishka1

Many thanks to everyone who took a moment to share a perspective. Hearing the opinions of so many does significantly help the decision process for me. So far, it seems like the 18-70DX will be a my pick, for many reasons. Decent quality, good price, and most of all it wont be the 28-70 f2.8 ED type, where I'd be afraid to lug it around and put it to good use 'cuz it cost $2K. I've decided what's most important is overall use-ability, and the 18-70 seems to be the best choice for that purpose.

<p>**Let me try to keep this as clear as possible (because if nothing else,

all the searching I've done across the web from forums to message boards to

review sites have created nothing but more confusion)**</p>

<p><br>

I need a lens, which will give me the least amount of all things considered

lens cons (chromatic

abrasions, barrel distortions, flaring, ghosting, slow focusing, poor color

saturations, bad sharpening, etc., etc., and all those many things that cause

a lens to be rated worse than another).<br>

<br>

I do have a budget to consider, yet, I am willing to bend if there is the ONE

perfect (arguable I'm sure) lens that will do what I need it to do.<br>

<br>

The important stuff... a wide-angle zoom. Minus all those "bad" stuff I

mentioned earlier.<br>

<br>

The main purpose of this lens will be to accompany me as the primary piece on

many of my treks across the city and beyond; shoot much of the on-location

events I plan on shooting (socials, formals, weddings, concerts, etc.); and be

my regular every-day lens I can use without fear excessive wear and tear.<br>

<br>

Doesn't matter if it is DX or not, as I will base the body that will become my

permanent

on whichever lens I settle on.</p>

<p>Now you know what the concerns are, what do you think?</p>