New D300s! Please recommend a new lens!!

[anthonymichael]

There is no such thing as a "great" lens that can do a bit of everything. "doing everything" compromises everything.

For $500 or less you can buy a near mint 80-200mm f2.8 af-d on ebay.

Optically this lens is just as good as the modern incarnation the $2200 70-200mm f2.8 VR-2. The only things your sacrificing to save all that $$ is focus speed and VR.

This will replace your 70-300mm, so you can sell that and buy a 50mm f1.8 prime.

I would recommend the 35mm f1.8 over the 50, but it cost twice as much due to only being available in af-s versions.

I bought the 80-200mm f2.8 af-d push/pull on ebay used for $525 and it is easily the best lens for that price in my opinion.