Would be awesome if instead of putting the 24mp sensor which I admit is very good, Nikon focus on extracting the full capability of the 16mp D7000 sensor. Like how Pentax has done so with their new K5ii. Also I am sure adding expeed 3 in itself will improve low light performance on JPEG's. I wouldnt really get my hopes up on new pro DX lenses. Seems Nikon has forgotten about pro DX and is focusing on FX. Either that or we will see a slew of new and awesome DX cameras using cutting edge technology with a few new releases such as a new 80-400 AF-S VR and an updated 300/4 VR or maybe even a 100-300/4 VR like what Nikon patented a few months ago.

captainelmo: Yes, I have argued that for a long time. In fact, that was the reason I started this tread. The Tokina and the Sigma have been identified as the only two options now available but neither has equaled a Nikon pro lens and the new Sigma is too big. Nikon makes the 17-55 f2.8 DX pro level lens (roughly equivalent to a about 24mm to 80mm in FX) which sells for $1,400. But they don't make a DX pro level lens roughly equivalent to 70-200mm f2.8. It would be nice for DX shooters to have at least two of the "Holy Trinity" type lenses in DX size.

With the next two DX sensors likely being spectacular 24mp sensors, it really would be nice if Nikon made a DX pro level lens roughly equivalent to the 70-200mm f2.8. We can be hopeful. Nikon just announced an f4 version of the 70-200, presumably for those wanting a lens lighter than the f2.8 version so they are aware of a desire for lightness. Maybe Nikon will see a market opportunity for a fast DX sized medium tele zoom.

Maybe Nikon should make an AF-S,VR, 2.8 version of the 50-135 AIS. Would sell like hot cakes to pro DX shooters if its small and the performance is up to par.

Finally, Thom Hogan reviews the Sigma 50-150 2.8.

http://bythom.com/Sigma50-150mm_lens_review.htm

As a "rule of thumb" it is perhaps best to stick with Nikon lenses, unless Nikon offers nothing of the lens type you are seeking or independent testing/experience demonstrates a third party lens is superior to the nikon offering. As Thom points out there are some gaps in Nikon's DX lens line-up. We will soon have a new D400 and a new D7200 with top of the line DX sensors (or the same sensor) fully capable of producing professional quality images. It would be nice if Nikon filled in the DX lens line-up gaps.

I owned the first Sigma 50-150 and thought it was a great lens. did not notice any focus issues.

then I purchased a nikon 70-200 VR1 and when I was editing the photos my wife walked by and make a (rare) comment that they looked very good.

the difference between the 50-150 from sigma and the 70-200 from Nikon was evident even to her.

I never thought the 50-150 was a bad lens, though the difference between it and the nikon made me sell the Sigma.

Now the Version 2 may be better, however I wont be trading my Nikon for it.

Finally, Thom Hogan did a review of the Tokina 50-135 f2.8.

http://bythom.com/Tokina50-135mm_lens_review.htm

Thom also has been criticizing Nikon for not producing DX glass equal to commonly used FX glass. He calls them the "missing DX lenses" and he is referring to counterparts for the FX 70-200 f2.8, the 85mm f1.8 and f1.4, and the 14mm, 20mm, 24mm, 35mm f1.8-f2.8 lenses.

See "Does this make sense?" http://bythom.com/dxweek1.htm

And http://bythom.com/dxlenssets.htm

Will Nikon produce a killer D400 suitable for professional use (it should be so capable with a 24mp sensor) and still not produce these "pro" counterpart lenses to use with it? We will have to wait and see.

It looks like all the fuss that has been raised over this issue has not been for nothing after all :)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/dc-officers-are-directed-to-leave-citizen-photographers-alone/2012/07/23/gJQAYKcI5W_story.html?hpid=z3

I thought I should clarify something which maybe isn't obvious to those that aren't familiar with the politics of the region; the video isn't of a police or security officer shouting at the guy filming - the people giving him hassle are participants in the march. The marching season in Northern Ireland causes huge tension and there is a feeling amongst the Catholic community that the marches are just designed to intimidate them (in this case they are going round in circles outside a Catholic church so you have to wonder). The guys in the hats are actually out of a marching band so the videographer was really arguing with another ordinary guy (albeit one in a uniform) not someone with any position of official authority.

The above video does not play in some areas...but, below is the same video, I believe. It suggests the videographer responded with a confrontation of authority rather than an inquiry as to why the video might not be allowed. However, this type of authority figure is not uncommon, and I myself encountered this with border patrol when I turned around to take a photo of my son coming back in to the USA when we had been in Canada a few years ago on motorcycles. Almost exactly the "fly off the handle" type of law enforcement response as on the video. Shameful at best. CAUTION, VIOLENT LANGUAGE NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My5cf2zlkpo

Seems it is not a good idea to film Bands in Northern Ireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-18831140

I must agree with Msmoto,it's all in how you respond to the situation. I was confronted by some security officers when trying to take night shoots of an oil refinery. I was polite showed them my ID (military id helped too) told them what I was doing and I was working from public property. They were polite and treated me respectfully. Now I know other photographers who are grade A A** ***es and would have asserted their "rights" in a manner that reflects poorly on all of us. I've never had problems and typically just chatting with the police works wonders. There are some sites out there with legal information but usually if you are on public property, you free to take any picture you want. Publishing rights are a little more complicated, but if the pictures are for a news outlet then again anything is fair game. Model releases are a must if you plan to sale photos of people. It seems everyone got a little overly sensitive after 9/11 but I think its getting better, well at least in my world.

@SilenceBrokenTT

Folks can Google "west coasters.net" if they want to see the photos as a question regarding a trojan on the link has been raised.

Kinda funny this topic gets back brought up now...

I frequent many coaster/amusement park sites, one of which is Westcoaster.net. Recently they put up an update from Lakeside Amusement Park in Colorado. This park has a ZERO photography rule in place since the owner doesn't give a damn about the park and is letting it just rot out. One of the members didn't know about this until after he started shooting, but did get some good pix of the place in. Ridiculous how this is allowed. She should just sell the park since there's some amazing architecture/lighting there, as well as some sweet rides.

<LINK REMOVED>

http://www.newson6.com/story/19014578/police-wear-lapel-cameras-for-their-own-protection

Here's the flip side! :)

I was in a building in China a few years ago. In one of the rooms there was a sign that no photography was allowed. I didn't take a picture in the room, just a picture of the sign and got a lot of dirty looks from the Chinese people.
I was on the Great Wall near Beijing and walked into one of the "towers" to change film in my Rolleiflex. I happened to look into a cubbyhole and there was an open wallet with a bunch of Chinese bills sticking out. I guess that they were seeing if they could lure anyone into taking it. Needless to say, I got out of there fast.
The people I knew seemed like good people, but brainwashed and spied on by the government people.
Sorry, I didn't mean to get political. I just got carried away.

Geoff_K said:
When you are on the street the police have ALL the power.

I am reminded of an old Joke

"What do you call a gorilla with a machine gun ?"

One very important point many photographers get wrong

because somewhere is open to the public it does mean it is "Public Property"

In England, this applies to nearly all shopping Malls , some roads, most beaches , and a lot of open spaces

One has to decide IF it is worth, being handcuffed, taken to jail, strip searched, tossed in a cell with REAL criminals only to be kicked free in a couple of hours. Sure you can try to sue, but that is likely to cost you money.

Unless you want to experience the inside of a lockup, probably best to be cooperative. When you are on the street the police have ALL the power.

I'm not going to get tazed over a photo. (unless it is of Aliens landing ;->)

I certainly agree..... There is a subset of LEOs who are there for reasons inconsistent with the external appearance. I have personally seen them in action, behaving in an entirely inappropriate manner to a situation. And, if we can talk with them, in virtually every case they will give themselves away by the irrational response to our positive approach. In this case, I retreat. No questions asked.

Also, there are many situations to which I have been privy do to the nature of my previous profession, which are areas best left alone. Folks engaged in unlawful activities will not hesitate to resort to extremely aggressive behaviors in order to protect their endeavors. And, unfortunately, this may involve LEOs on rare occasions.

So "No Photography Allowed" maybe needs to be something we decide from time to time if a situation is less than safe.

msmoto said:
A lot of times, a short discussion with suspicious individuals, i.e., law enforcement officers, can relieve their paranoia and get them sort of "on our side" or at least neutral.
So often, police misconduct is due to the fear involved and if we can decrease this, the misconduct diminishes.

You're absolutely right about that msmoto and I do believe majority of incidents could be completely avoided, however I believe there are two folds to this issue. First, photography by itself is not and should not be considered a suspicious act and therefore should not be treated as such in the first place. Second, not all cops are created equal and some cops will assume you guilty until proven otherwise... just look at the pepper spray cop of UC Davis for instance.

Well, the app is not yet for the iPhone, but maybe it soon will be.

My experience with LEOs is to talk to them first, explain what I am doing, ask if they need ID, become proactive in attempting to let them identify me as an ally and not an adversary. Also, unless I have press credentials on me, am actually working on assignment, I am extremely careful to not get caught up in the action myself. On the other hand, when actually working, I am in the middle of things, but avoiding being ann obstacle.
A lot of times, a short discussion with suspicious individuals, i.e., law enforcement officers, can relieve their paranoia and get them sort of "on our side" or at least neutral.
So often, police misconduct is due to the fear involved and if we can decrease this, the misconduct diminishes.

ACLU has released an interesting app to help control police misconduct towards photographers. The app, called "Police Tape," is setup to secretly video/audio record a police interaction. The app will even send a copy of the file ACLU's servers.

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/07/09/the-aclus-new-police-tape-app-lets-you-discreetly-record-police-interactions/

My opinion: while police hostility towards photographers may not be as wide spread and prevalent as we think it is, I do believe it eists and does happen. And if this app can help curb and tame some of that needless aggression then it really should become a prerequisite app in every photographer's phone.

sample images with the new Sigma

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaredpolin/sets/72157629470849852/

I bit on the Sigma 17-50 OS while they were offering an instant rebate that brought it below $600. I loved the Nikkor 17-55 when I rented it, but at twice the price and no VR...

I will consider the Sigma 50-150 OS (vs. Nikkor 70-200) when it comes out. Fast sports shooting or large indoor events are not common for me though, so it's not a high priority.

Sigma 17-50 OS @ 50mm, f/2.8, 1/1600 SOOC (D7000->Aperture->Flickr)

donaldejose said:
Sigma Corporation of America has announced the pricing and availability for its stabilized 50-150mm F2.8 APO EX DC OS HSM lens. The lens, designed to offer a roughly 70-200mm equivalent zoom range, will have a street price of $1099. The OS version of the lens is 46% longer than the existing, non OS version.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2011/2/8/sigma50-150

It's the same size as the current version - longer than the Tokina though.

About time they finely release it - was it announced about 2 yrs ago?