Best nikon lens (nature, landscape& portrait)?

What is the best Nikon lens for nature shots, weddings and senior pictures? I have a nikon d3000 and 2 thousand dollars to spend on a lens. I have looking around and Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Telephoto Lens seems perfect. But if someone else can give me an other options or information that would be great!

The 24-70mm lens would be a waste; too big and heavy and 24mm is equivalent to about 35mm full frame… Pretty much a normal focal length, not wide.

The DX 17-55mm f/2.8 is better suited for that camera. You'll never miss the 15 extra mm on the long end (and if you do you need a tele, not a normal zoom) but you'll really appreciate those 7mm on the wide end.

I'm using the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, which has better reviews than the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8, and it is a lot less expensive. You should give this lens a look.

Here are my top three picks for DX cameras.

Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 DX2 (make sure you go with the Dx 2 or you won't have autofocus)
Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8 (or the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8)
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (or the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8).

These are all constant aperture f/2.8 zooms and are considered professional grade. You can buy all three of them for about $2, 400. The Tokina is around $650, the Sigma 17-50mm about $600, and the Sigma 70-200 is about $1, 200.

You can go with the Nikon versions, but the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 is not rated as good, while the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is rated better. But the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 is about $1, 300 and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 is $2, 400 for just that lens.

Note though that both the Tokina, Sigma 17-50mm and Nikon 17-55mm are all DX lenses, while the Sigma 70-200mm and Nikon 70-200mm, as well as the Nikon 24-70 are all FX lenses. While FX lenses will work fine on a DX body such as your camera, they are more expensive.

But if you ever have the desire to upgrade to a FX body, this is a good strategy for you.

Also due to the crop factor, the focal lengths on the 24-70 will favor the telephoto end just a bit, which is OK for portrait and nature, it is not as good for landscape, as it might not be wide open enough.

If you buy a 24 at long end, you have the equal of a 48mm on you apsc, that is not a good frame for weddings. You need for landscape and wedding a good wide angle gear with fast diaphragm. The hottest and most sharp lens that exists in that category, is the Tokina 11-16/2.8 DX2. For good Bokeh and closer range shots, get also the Sigma 30/1.4. A 80 to 86 mm 1.8 range lens will help you as well for portrait, things you need in wedding shots. But, anyway, for landscape, no lens will ever beat the Tokina 11-16/2.8. I use a Tokina 12+24/4, works fine, good corner sharpness, but not ideal in lower light as found in churches, for example. Landscape is never made by telephoto anyway. Nikon 24-70/2.8 is a lens that is made for full frame sensors, it can give good results in apsc, but does not really has to.

The 18-55mm kit lens should be enough for nature, landscapes and large group shots during weddings at around 18mm, whole body to half-body portraits, wedding march, entourage and ceremony at around 35mm, and closeup portraits for both wedding and seniors at around 55mm. The 24-70mm would be good for all of those same applications except for landscapes and large group shots. 24mm isn't as wide as you would hope it would be.