I have the itch to buy a new lens for my bag. I have an awesome oppertunity to assist a destination wedding, so I thought now would be a good time to add a new toy to my bag. Here is what I have:
Nikon 17-55 2.8
Nikon 70-200 vr 2.8
Nikon 50mm 1.8
Tamron 28-70 xrdi 2.8
Tamron 28-105 sp 2.8

I was thinking of these items...
a fish eye... how wide do I need to go on a 1.6 crop?
a macro
a faster prime... what focal length?

I love having the 17-55 on one camera and the 70-200 on the other. That is my main duo for 95 % of my work. I don't really use my 50 1.8 very often, so I am a little cautious about going with a faster prime. I am afraid I won't use it that much.

So, which would you get and why?

I would get the 12-24 and the 85 1.8 to complete your lineup.
Cory

I'm a huge fan of the macro to get those details... and I rented a fishy June 2nd--it totally rocked! I saw things so differently, super-fun

With what you have, I would go for a macro next. I love having a 12-24, and would definitely recommend it, and a 85mm 1.2 is a incredible lens that I really recommend, but with what you have, the macro seems to be what is missing.

i would have to agree. the 105mm 2.8 macro with VR is very cool.

Oh... that does look niiiiiiice.

It'd be nice if Nikon made a 1.2

The 85/1.4 is really slick though!

the nikon 85 1.8 or 1.4 would be great because it really smooths out the background extremely fast. I got the 1.8 and notice an extreme diffence over my 2.8 80-200.

A tokina or nikon 12-24 would complete the wide angle side of things.

I have a tamron 90mm 2.8 macro and only use it for the rings, and I never shoot those at full 1:1 anyway. It would be the first lens that I would let go. It is super sharp though. The nikon 85 1.8 actually focuses relative close as well making it a fun lens.

A fisheye would be awesome.

Matt Antonio posted awhile back about a program called exposureplot. It maps out in one spreadsheet all of your exif data such as focal length, shutter speed, iso, and aperture. I use it to determine which lens to upgrade next. I will most likely be upgrading my tamron 17-50 to the nikon 17-55. You should check it out if you think it will help.

I think Cory Parris wrote somewhere else to get a lens that will open up the most new artistic opportunities. I would get the fisheye because it is certainly unique. the extra 5mm wouldn't be enough for me to get a 12-24.

Thanks guys, I think I am leaning twards the fish eye or the macro. I tried a friends 85 1.8 out, and I didn't really care to much for it. It didn't give me much more than my 50 1.8 that I don't use very often. Maybe the 1.4 would be different, but I might wait with that. I wish Nikon had a 1.2!

i think you should buy me a 70-200 VR.

If you are not down for that...


i love my nikon fisheye.

http://www.adorama.com/NK105DXU.html?searc...&item_no=10

Maybe if I had an extra two grand laying around that I didn't know what to do with, and if I had every piece of photography equipment that I would ever want... THEN I could buy you the 70-200! I'll let you know when that happens.

That fish eye looks fun.... hmmm..... fisheye or macro......

I love my 85 f1.4, just can't put it down! It is sharp from f2, and has a little bit of magic.... how bout selling the tamrons and the 50 and getting the 85 1.4 and a 10.5 fisheye for fun... that would give the most creative options IMHO....

Or you could buy yourself one for $900.