Help me choose a lens

[prince]

Hellowwwwwwwww!!
I currently have 2 lenses; Nikon 18-55mm kit lens and Tamron 70-300mm LC Di Macro lens. Most of my work is portraits and small occasions like birthdays, dance performances in auditorium, reception, etc.

I am very annoyed with my Tamron because it will take ages to focus in medium-low light conditions. I plan to sell it.

I am on a budget of around $300 for a new lens or can go for used too.

I looked at few reviews on B&H but had a mix response, which didn't help much

Some things that I prefer is fast AF, good in low-medium light, image stabilizer, and sharp photos. I'd prefer Nikon but they are expensive. If there is an alternative with close to Nikon's quality (Ex. Tamron or Sigma) let me know.

Please vote on the choices and why you suggest that lens.

Thanks,

[Jayman11]

I'm no expert, but I love my Sigma 18-200mm. It is on my camera 98% of the time.

[danbaileyphoto]

I'm a huge fan of fixed lenses. They're light, fast and very versatile in a variety of situations. If you already have a zoom lens, my advice is to get a fixed short telephoto. The Nikon 85mm f1.8 is a great lens and not too much more than $300. It's awesome for portraits and people work, and I also find it great for a variety of outside subjects.

[i speak in math]

Those are all pretty poor choices. Don't they make an 85mm f/1.4 or something similar?

[BigVinnie]

They do. The Nikon 85mm f/1.8 would be my choice with your budget.

[prince]

Originally Posted by danbaileyphoto

I'm a huge fan of fixed lenses. They're light, fast and very versatile in a variety of situations. If you already have a zoom lens, my advice is to get a fixed short telephoto. The Nikon 85mm f1.8 is a great lens and not too much more than $300. It's awesome for portraits and people work, and I also find it great for a variety of outside subjects.

Do you have any photos I can look that are from this lens? Thanks.

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Those are all pretty poor choices. Don't they make an 85mm f/1.4 or something similar?

85mm F1.8D is something that I want but can't get it right now. It's priced at $440.

Can you pick best of the worst?

Also, please vote. Helps me track better.

Thanks.

[Murtasma]

I don't think any of those lens will really fit your needs. I would save up my money instead for something that will do the job your asking.

[i speak in math]

Thats what I was going to say. You could buy one of those but they won't be any better than the kit lens and none particularly good for portrait work. Then when you decide you want to upgrade again, you will have to save up all $400-500 again to get the lens you want now. Just save up for another little bit and get what you want now and you won't have to upgrade again in a year.

[inkista]

Notice you're on a D40. I think your choice comes down to a single lens: the AF-S 35mm f/1.8. Otherwise, it's manual focus time....

The reason a lot of us are pushing a prime/fixed lens is the maximum aperture and your budget. What you ideally want is probably an f/2.8 zoom lens, but you're not going to find one for $300 or less.

The maximum aperture is the widest the lens can be set, aperture-wise. It has a significant impact on DoF/bokeh (because you can use those lower f-numbers), as well as autofocus speed, because the camera always uses the lens wide open to meter and autofocus to let in as much light as possible. Lenses that open wider let in more light for the camera to "see" by.

[prince]

Originally Posted by i speak in math

Just save up for another little bit and get what you want now and you won't have to upgrade again in a year.

That's the common theme here and true. If any of the above mentioned lenses don't help with my current difficulties than doesn't make sense, unless I think of having just one lense instead of 2, so probably 18-200 or something. The question then becomes, which one is better than the 18-55 kit lens I have. Tamron lens is softer compared to Nikon.

Originally Posted by inkista

Notice you're on a D40. I think your choice comes down to a single lens: the AF-S 35mm f/1.8. Otherwise, it's manual focus time....

The reason a lot of us are pushing a prime/fixed lens is the maximum aperture and your budget. What you ideally want is probably an f/2.8 zoom lens, but you're not going to find one for $300 or less.

Sure. I understand the benefit of having a faster lens. I'm not trying to be cheap either by expecting more for less. Fact is, right now the fast lens I want 85mm f1.8 is out of budget, so will wait. If all goes well this year I plan to upgrade to D300s and 85mm f1.8