Lens Suggestions Tamron vs. Nikon VR

[matpoh]

Just looking for some suggestions/input on an upcoming lens purchase. I shoot mostly sports photography and am looking for a decent walk-around lens to use and not always carry my bigger glass. Mix of indoor and outdoor stuff. Here are the two current contenders I am considering.

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 IF ED DX
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S VR

The Tamron can be had for about $300 or so and the Nikon is looking around $600. Nikon has better range, but somewhat average reviews. Tamron has pretty good reviews and fast aperture but obviously not as much reach.

I have an 18-70mm AF-S(non VR) and Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM (great, but big and heavy)

Any suggestions?

 

[fightin14]

I have a nikon 18-200 and I like it, obviously it is not all that fast but if you have a shoe flash for your indoors you should be fine. I enjoy mine but i some times wish i had bought a 80-200 nikon.

 

[matpoh]

Forgot to mention I also have a 50mm f/1.4 AF that I have used all season for basketball and love it. I can usually get by without a flash and decent iso setting. For wrestling I have been using the 70-200 and it works good. I will probably use something different come volleyball. I do shoot outdoors for track, golf, softball, baseball. The reach would be nice, but at times as darkness falls I find myself putting stuff away rather than adding a light. I do have an sb-600 that helps, but I also like to travel light and if I can manage enough good shots before dusk, the better off I seem to be.

 

[LiveWave]

I would go with the tamron, the 18-200 is good in outside, however since you say you do both inside and outside, you will need the fast 2.8 to get the higher shutter speeds for sports. jmho