You're both absolutely right :) ....let's compare some prices Lens #1 AF 28-80/3.5-5.6 D 91 Euros ($80 or so I assume) Lens #2 AF 24-85/2.8-4.0 IF 712 Euros ($620 or so) Lens #3 AF 28-70/2.8 AFS IF ED 1969 Euros ($1750 or so) Lens #1 is made in China, not in the Nikon factory. It's made of cheaper materials, but the optics are very good. Any camera that comes with a standard lens has something like this. If you drop it it's indeed broken beyond repair....but if it comes down lens first, it'll probably just break and fall into pieces, leaving your body's lens mount undamaged :) Lens #2 is probably the same quality optically speaking. It's much better built, and from the Nikon factory. Although Sigma and Tokina produce much more solid lenses in the same price/quality range, for 25% to 50% less. Lens #3 is probably one of the best lenses ever built :) Not just for Nikon, but just ever (with exception of leica 1.2 lenses perhaps ?). I think they've got some kind of wizard locked up in the dungeons of the Nikon factory, who magically produces these lenses. The quality of your shots will be so much better....I've once had the pleasure of trying one from a friend once, and it's really amazing. Well, if you're not that experienced go for the $80 lens and use it for everything. It'll be very sufficient, even when you'd buy a pro nikon body and when you'd drop it you just buy a new one - something you wouldn't do with a $600 lens :)