Nikon DSLR general purpose lens

[Cumberland Sausage]

I'm not a keen photographer and know little about mid and high end camera gear, but my teenaged son has always loved taking pictures, some of which have impressed people far more knowledgeable than I am about these things. A couple of years ago we bought him a second hand Nikon D3200 DSLR, supplied with an 18-55mm kit lens, with which he has taken thousands of shots.
We've now got him a used Nikon D7200, body only, and plan to sell the D3200 and its kit lens (which is sort of ok). That means he will need a new "general purpose" zoom lens, hopefully in the 18-70 or 80 range, but he has a limited budget to work with. One lens he's spotted is the Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 DC Macro, which can be had in here the UK second hand in decent condition for around £150, which he could just about afford.
So, has anybody on B&B had any experience of this lens, or of similar ones around the same price point used? Any comments or suggestions will be gratefully received.
Just to add, one of my son's mentors, who's a leading light in the local photography club, likes the look of the D7200, even though he's not a Nikon man. However, he's a real enthusiast and quite well off, so the only lenses he's been able to recommend cost well north of £250, which is just too much atm.

 

[nulled]

Sigma is an extremely good brand, most of their lenses are held in high regard.

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[Wogus]

First off the D7200 is an excellent body and quite a step up, features wise, from the D3200. The Sigma 17-70 f/2.8-4 is a very capable lens that should work well with the 7200. It would be difficult to directly compare the Sigma to the 18-55mm without knowing which 18-55mm because Nikon has released many versions of that lens over the years. The main drawback of the Sigma will be that it's going to be a little soft on the edges at its widest focal length (17mm). That aside, it's a very capable lens and a worthy upgrade. I'd say your son sounds well equipped to continue his photographic journey.

 

[Abz88]

As others have said, the D7200 is great choice and a nice step up from the D3200. I have a D5300 which is in between the two and I also have a Sigma MACRO lens (although not the same one your son has found but a 105mm one). I get great shots from the SIGMA lens, however, mine is more of a Macro lens than an all rounder with Macro capabilites which is what the 17-70 seems to be billed as.
There is no reason for him to sell his current lens. It will fit the D7200 as they are both part of Nikons cropped sensor range. I would personally keep the lens as a standard walk about lens; have a think about what sort of photography he wants to focus on and then save up for a lens that will be better suited to that type of photography (specialised lenses tend to be better than a jack of all trades type lens).
Its also worth thinking about getting a 35mm prime lens for him (a 35mm on a D7200 is like a 50mm on a full frame camera). I have a Nikon 35mm f1.8 G AF-S DX Lens (second hand for around £100) and it's what I use as a standard walk about lens as it gives better pictures than a 18-55mm type lens.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

There is no reason for him to sell his current lens. It will fit the D7200 as they are both part of Nikons cropped sensor range. I would personally keep the lens as a standard walk about lens; have a think about what sort of photography he wants to focus on and then save up for a lens that will be better suited to that type of photography (specialised lenses tend to be better than a jack of all trades type lens).
Its also worth thinking about getting a 35mm prime lens for him (a 35mm on a D7200 is like a 50mm on a full frame camera). I have a Nikon 35mm f1.8 G AF-S DX Lens (second hand for around £100) and it's what I use as a standard walk about lens as it gives better pictures than a 18-55mm type lens.

Thanks for the advice. He had thought about keeping his current general purpose lens, but it's unlikely there will be much demand for the D3200 without it. Most potential buyers of such entry level cameras want the whole package.
A 35mm prime lens is certainly something he will be getting — maybe at Christmas if one of his relatives is very generous.

 

[TexOkie Shaver]

May I suggest going to Ken Rockwell's review site and reading some of his reviews on Sigma lenses. He has been spot on every time I was shopping for new gear.

>Ken Rockwell's Camera and Lens Reviews

>Ken Rockwell's Camera and Lens Reviews

www.kenrockwell.com

 

[Legion]

Try to track down a second hand Nikkor 18-105. That was the lens that was most commonly sold with the D7200, and is an appropriate upgrade. It’s not a bad lens, for the cost.

 

[sarimento1]

for Nikon DSLR's, my vote goes to 24-120mm f/4.

for Nikon Z mirrorless, I'm impressed with 24-200mm f/4-6.3.