Taking a serious look at my equipment.

[Geoff I]

I have started to change my lenses for the good I hope, I have just changed my 55-200 VR for a Tamron 70-300 VC hopefully that will give me more sharp images, but the next lens is giving me a lot of grief, I am thinking of changing my 18-105VR lens, I am finding this lens a little soft all the way through the focal lengths, but just wondering what to change it with, I have a short list with the Sigma 17-70mm OS or the Nikon 16-85, I have also a Sigma 50mm for general macro use, even further down the line I am thinking of getting the Sigma 10-20mm for street and landscape photography.

I hope someone can help me with the everyday lens and which one to go for.

[Oldboy]

I would go for the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-F4 OS. All who have used it say it's a cracking lens. 

[greypoint]

I've used both the non OS versions of the Sigma 17-70 and can thoroughly recommend it. There is a bit of distortion at 17mm but I always found that quite fun. It can get amazingly close to the subject -almost touching - which, again, can give you some interesting shots. Some sample snaps with different cameras:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/greypoint/sets/72157621647506018/

Good luck with the Tamron. I've been using one for a few months and find it stands up very well in comparison with the Nikon VR. If only they did it in Pentax fit I'd be very happy! 

[spinner]

A friend lent me the Sigma 10-20 mm. I loved it so much I bought my own, highly recommend it.

[bones615]

Have you looked at the sigma 24-70 f2.8, if you are getting the 10-20 its another option. I have one but it has a small amount of front focus so check it out first It was highly recommended when i was looking to replace my kit lens.

Simon

[Alfonso_Frisk]

I have started to change my lenses for the good I hope, I have just changed my 55-200 VR for a Tamron 70-300 VC hopefully that will give me more sharp images, but the next lens is giving me a lot of grief, I am thinking of changing my 18-105VR lens, I am finding this lens a little soft all the way through the focal lengths, but just wondering what to change it with, I have a short list with the Sigma 17-70mm OS or the Nikon 16-85, I have also a Sigma 50mm for general macro use, even further down the line I am thinking of getting the Sigma 10-20mm for street and landscape photography.

I hope someone can help me with the everyday lens and which one to go for.

Have a looksy in the follwing section of the site
http://cameracraniums.com/forum/index.php?board=61.0
Some user reviews/feedback on lenses there 
RR
Alf

[Beryl]

I had a looksy but it's off limits to me

[Mick]

I had a looksy but it's off limits to me

Don't worry Beryl, it's off limits to me too. And I'm the admin. 

[Alfonso_Frisk]

I had a looksy but it's off limits to me

Don't worry Beryl, it's off limits to me too. And I'm the admin. 

Eddited the link and it should be ok now

[Mick]

Thanks Alf.  Dunno where that extra character came from in you link,   but hey, all OK now. 

[Colin]

I would also recommend the Sigma 17-70, I have only just replaced mine after about three years with a Canon L which was 3 times the price but realistically not 3 times the quality.

[Beryl]

I had a looksy but it's off limits to me

Don't worry Beryl, it's off limits to me too. And I'm the admin. 

Eddited the link and it should be ok now

That's good to know. Obviously a an error of some sort 

[michaelb104]

I'd say go with the Sigma 17-70, since I got the lens I hardly ever take it off the camera, for the price it cannot be bettered (according to me).