So I sold my beloved 17-55mm f/2.8 for whatever reason. I couldn't stand not being able to afford a decent telephoto lens, so I guess that's why I sold it (for profit!
)
So now I'm left with about $1400 or less to spend on some glass, and I haven't decided which lens combination I want. But, I've already decided that I want the 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D, which leaves me with about $500 or so after tax.
With $400, I have a few mid-range zooms I could choose from (excluding DX format lenses since I don't want to deal with selling them if I decide to go FX one day):
24-85mm f/2.8-4 AF
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 AF-S
24-120mm VR f/3.5-5.6
Now the problem with the above 3 (besides the fact that some do not fit my price range) is that many people say the 24-85mm f/2.8-4 is too soft and that the 24-120mm VR is also WAY too soft at the corners and center (Damn Rockwell messing with my mind again). But the 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 seems to be perfect. It's the cheapest out of the 3, and presumably the sharpest out of them all. The only thing it lacks from it's older counterpart is the wider aperture and macro function.
So, my question is would you rather have a lens that shoots faster and presumably has better bokeh, or a lens that shoots a little slower but sharper?
Or, suggest an entirely different lens combination that you think is better. No DX lenses, please.