Standard Zoom Decision Time...

So I've about scraped the cash to pull in either 28-70 or maybe even a 24-70 if I find some lucky deal, but now I'm starting to wonder whether or not I need (and to pay for) the 35-70 range of one of these lenses. This would be my predominant indoor/event lens and currently the only time I zoom outside of 35-ish range on my 24-85 is to try a lucky long shot or to fill the frame if there aren't enough heads in the shot for a wider focal length.

I don't really mind doing cropping as needed since I post everything to some degree anyway. I also end up doing "blind" shots 70% of a given event (high overhead, while walking by some people or subjects, etc) since I'm quite used to the frame 24-50mm range gives and my flash's red sniping guide light is about all I need to fit the subjects in the frame.

So the new train of thought led me to the 20/2.8D or Tokina Pro 20-35/2.8. These are about 1/3 the price of the main contenders and might just do the job. For a general 50ish range, I have my 45 if I REALLY badly want to use that, and past that 90 Tammy or my 70-200 take care of everything imaginable.

Reviews praise the 20-35 Tokina of all others, and the 20 Nikkor as well, but I still question whether I'd miss out on the 24-70 level of IQ.

And there are those times when 24-85 takes too long to focus in dark situations, so I want something faster and more reliable.

Thoughts/advise?

Tokina makes some great lenses but i wonder if the limited range would possibly cost you the occasional important shot.

The Nikon 20/2.8D is an excellent lens, but the range of the Tokina is more attractive. I would definately want no less than an f2.8 for indoor shooting on a regular basis. Ron's point is also very important if you don't have access to your subject.

Me? I'd choose the Tokina 20-35/2.8

@RON its pretty much the heart of my debate aside from IQ. From experience, if I have to zoom past 50 (could effectively call it 35) that takes quickly adjusting the flash head and confusing the heck out of the metering so the long shots are more often than not sub-par or just not very useable. Realistically, I only need about 14-1600px web rez from all these kinda shots, so there's always room to crop a bit here and there.

The idea behind a better lens is to further help streamline my on-site work. Could also call it a fancy, fully adjustable point and shoot approach.

And price factor would allow me to nab another flash or two and maybe a decent studio backdrop so I can properly dabble with that whole area of focus aside from the daily tasks.

Well you won't go wrong with the Tokina. I have been very impressed with their recent lenses. Am considering the Tokina 100mm 2.8 for macro work. It is far more reasonably priced than other brands.

For macro, their model w/ the aperture ring looks almost identical to the Tamron 90 I have, and this Tammy is half the price too. Not sure if Tokina is made of steel or plastic, but no reason to over-pay unless you're aiming for a silent wave motor or longer reach.