Hi - this is a question about purchasing a new lens. I understand the technical differences and pros and cons of the lenses, my question is more about the practicality and I was hoping some people with experience in travel and on location portraiture might be able to offer their opinions as what will suit my needs best.
I am going to a refugee camp in Thailand to undertake my elective as part of my medical training. I am a reasonably experienced amateur photographer and as part of my elective I hope to talk to and photograph people I come into contact with, as part of an artistic/journalistic reflection (may be presented with writing/interviews) on the trip. This will hopefully mean taking some planned portraits but in situations where I am not in control of lighting. I will not be taking a flash. I will also be taking general travel shots - some candid portraits, landscapes, village scenes etc.
I will mostly be working staying in/around a particular clinic but will be going on an odd work.
I also do love shooting local wildlife when I get free time, i'll be taking my 70-300mm Nikkor which I'll be able to use for that kind of thing but it is big and heavy and not suitable for the odd walk on which I might spot an animal.
I currently mostly use my Nikon 35mm 1.8 on my D60 and I love it. My choice is between buying the:
1)Nikon 50mm 1.4
2)Nikon 18-200 VR
3)Not buying anything
My thoughts are:
50mm
+ Better for head/shoulders portraits, Good for low light (especially considering my old D60 sensor) Small/portable, Really nice glass, Will be useable on full frame camera i may buy in 2-3yrs
+ May really give a professional edge on portraits
- Don't know how useful it will be with the 1.6 crop factor - not likely to do low light close up portraits
18 - 200mm
++++ Versatility. Really great for walks, picking out details in places visited, candid portraits and wildlife
----- 'Jack of all trades' - may leave it on may camera and end up using it when I would have used beloved 35mm resulting in less lovely photos, particularly as I hate carrying extra lenses around. (I am bothered more about the contrast, quality of light and aperture than distortion and other technical imperfections).
None
+ I love my 35mm and use it for everything. I will also have 18-55 and 70-300 with me should I desperately need them (but prob won't carry them around)
+ I hate carrying extra gear around, portability and discreetness are important
+ I will be £300 richer (could even buy a new body with video)
- Bad for group shots, landscapes and wildlife/candid portraits
I guess my main questions are - will i end up neglecting my 35mm if I buy an 18-200? How useful is the 50mm 1.4 on a crop sensor? Are the images beautiful enough to justify carrying it around/changing when needed?
Thanks very much for reading, any advice appreciated
(I'd buy whatever I get second hand)