Hi--

You can use the SLE(MN) as a guide, and you will find several very good zoom lenses present - though keep in mind that zooms are slower (generally) than fixed lenses, and are generally not as sharp wide open as a prime lens at
the same (stopped-down aperture for the prime) aperture, but by f5.6-8 (and
smaller), can be equal to primes (except, maybe, for distortion and flare).
The zooms I marked "5" are exceptionally good, and are good even "wide"-open.
Also keep in mind that zooms are generally harder to focus than primes, even
if they are the same speed as primes (has to do with front-element focus,
and resultant FL change with focus [zooms focus by changing focal length]).
I have not used the 24-50 (I sold my 25-50, since I did not like WA zooms),
but even most prime WA's don't perform well wider than f5.6, so I would
not expect fine performance to the corners wider than f5.6 with the zoom.

(Hope This Helps)
David Ruether

>1. I got the lens site. Thanks a lot.
>2. Since I got you on the line, let me ask you a question that I've been trying to get at the
>bottom of for the last 3 months. What's your opinion on the quality difference between zoom vs
>fixed focal length?
>3. I use Nikon lens. I have a 24-50mm Nikon.
>4. I asked this question to a variety of people including Nikon USA; all of whom stated that
>there was "essentially" no difference. I just came back from Japan and they basically say the
>opposite. What's the truth?
>5. I don't want to get into that syndrome of being more concerned about one's equiptment rather
>than simply learning to take and make good photos. However, if it's within my power and expense,
>I would obviously like to maximize the quality of my equipment. Thus, I would say that I'm an
>"idealistic-pragmatist". Thanks for your time.
Harry Minoru Shin