So I have $1000 to spend...

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 9:57 am

My Dad passed away last year, and has left me $1000. I'd like to put this to good use and purchase a lens I might otherwise have to save for for a long time. Dad was very proud of me for being creative, and pursuing creative interests.

I've started shooting many family portraits, and am a second shooter for weddings. I'm debating what would be most useful.

Someone suggested a zoom lens with a fixed aperature.

-Sigma has a 50-150 f/2.8 EX DC for $999.
-Tamron has a 17-70 XR DI-II f2.8 for $499.

Or should I just go for something that zooms but has VR?

-Nikkor AF-S 18-200 f/3.5-5.6 VRED for $899.
Would that be too heavy to run around with at a wedding? A Sigma 18-125 f/3.5-5.6 is only $349.

Or should I just consider getting another prime? I love my 50 mm, so maybe the 85 mm would give me a long enough lens and be nice and fast for low light situations?

I don't want to regret this purchase...not simply because of the money spent, but because of where the money is coming from.

Joined: 09 Apr 2006 Posts: 199 Location: Worcester, England

If you do indoor work at the weddings and would rather use natural light than flash you could consider some fast primes.

Sigma 30mm f1.4
Nikkor 85mm f1.8
Nikkor 135mm f2 DC.

All are superb. I know <grin>

A superb all round lens would be the 70-200mm f2.8 VR. A bit heavy but at f2.8 fast enough for head & shoulders candids as it can be hand held at 200mm at 1/30th.

Unless you are a dab hand with PS then leave the 18-200mm VR out as it quite a lot of distortion (predictable so PS can remove it).