Which lens would you buy?

[Snowski824]

Hi- I am working on building up my small photography business. I photograph weddings, brides, families, and babies. I've bought a new Nikon D300s and was going to have my husband use my Nikon D100 as a backup photographer for weddings but that means I need to purchase some new lenses.

I currently have a 55-200mm f/4-5.6G and a 35-80mm f/4-5.6

I am trying to decide between purchasing a
1. 50mm f/1.4
2. Wide angle 12-24 (f stop undecided)

I know the wide angle lens would be great for capturing large wedding parties but the 50 mm would be good for everything else.

What would you buy? Any suggestions?

Right now my budget is about $1000 and I plan on purchasing one lens.

[zona5101]

my preference, giving your parameters, the 50 f1.4.
you will need faster glass in situations where you can't or would rather not use flash. The Nikon 12-24 f4.0 is all of $1000 but you're still at f4 wide open.

[lynweber]

I say the Nifty 50 its a great lens I want one myself and its suppsoed to be good in low light. I have the 35mm and its pretty decent.

[inkista]

Hate to say it, but biting the bullet, saving up, and getting an f/2.8 zoom might be the better way to go. You have no available light capability right now, and a 50/1.4 is going to be a bit restrictive framing wise. My druthers (I'm weird) would be to go for a 35/1.4, but Nikon doesn't have an autofocusing one in the lineup, and if they did it would be way past your budget.

I think you might want to look at something like the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. VC, and consider getting the 50/1.8 (since you have the D300s), rather than the 50/1.4.