Upgrade 18-55 & 55-200 $500 budget

I am looking to upgrade from my kit lenses.

I am looking for a range of 50-100mm.

I mainly shoot in studio so a really fast lens isnt necessary. Id take a slower lens for quality.

I have no problem with used lenses.

Id really prefer not to but I would get a 50mm and 85mm and pick up a 105mm later. I assume this would be the best quality but Id have to have no other options to consider this. Again this is for a number of options.

I would prefer an FX lens for a variety of reasons, but a DX isnt out of the question.

I can stretch a little bit, maybe $100. I dont want to so Itd have to really be worth it.

The number of options around this price gives me a headache. Ive looked at Nikon 24-105, 24-120 Sigma and Tamron 28-135 Sigma 24-135 etc etc.

Is there a zoom in my price range thats worth upgrading to? I really find it to be a mixed bag even with the same lenses.

I don't know if the Sigma 24-105 fits in your price range - in Australia it often goes for around $7-800 used on ebay so in your area it might. It's a pretty good lens and covers your focal length range nicely. I wouldn't say it's as good as the 24-70 options from Nikon. The Tamron 24-70VC might also just fit into the range you are looking at too.

IMO if you're looking at Nikon 24-120, stick with the newer f/4 lens rather than the older f/3.5-5.6. A much better lens but unfortunately a step up in price and maybe over your budget. I don't think it's any better than the Sigma 24-105 personally.

There's also the recently discontinued Sigma 50-150 OS and Tokina 50-135. Both f/2.8 lenses and both very good options. The Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 is also excellent but is heavy and well above your price range I think.

You don't mention what you shoot - people? If so, and you're in studio and don't need really fast glass, I'll agree that the 24-120 f4 VR is a really nice lens, and used would fit your budget. I sold mine because my main gig is outdoor portraits and events. My other zoom was a 16-35 and my primes are 28, 50 and 85. So, the 24-120 went to help finance a 70-200. But, with speedlights on stands and on a D600/610, that lens did fine work for me, even wide open. For a walking around zoom, it was hard to beat and the VR worked great.

AZ Pix wrote in post #18307664
You don't mention what you shoot - people? If so, and you're in studio and don't need really fast glass, I'll agree that the 24-120 f4 VR is a really nice lens, and used would fit your budget. I sold mine because my main gig is outdoor portraits and events. My other zoom was a 16-35 and my primes are 28, 50 and 85. So, the 24-120 went to help finance a 70-200. But, with speedlights on stands and on a D600/610, that lens did fine work for me, even wide open. For a walking around zoom, it was hard to beat and the VR worked great.

Whoops, sorry, lol. Yes I work with models doing mainly glamour and boudoir.