Best lenses choice for photojournalism and candid?

Question

right now, I'm using Nikon DSLR. I'm still an amateur photographer.

Answer 1

When I could afford little, for candid I bought the fastest 135 mm lens I could find - used.  Today, zoom lenses are a lot better, smaller, and faster.  The advantage of a fixed lens is that you quickly learn what it covers so you move away or in before you raise your camera and don't have to adjust after raising it.  A zoom is better for photo journalism, so having one where you can read the setting, you would set it for a size - like 135 and practice framing and taking shots until you can do a shot without delay.

Answer 2

24-70 mm f 2.8 would cover most.  

Answer 3

I am a photojournalist and my best advise is that if you are going into candid, a long lens is the way to go. I use a 70-200 f2.8, it is good for candid. You are far enough from people as to not make them aware you are there and therefore not disrupting the moment you wish to capture. There is nothing more annoying than trying to capture a moment and someone noticing the camera and smiling, or telling their kid to look at the camera and smile (reason why when I ask parents for permission to photograph their kids doing whatever it is they are doing, I make sure the kid does not hear me and tell the parent not to tell them).

Anyway, long lens with a wide aperture (for low lighting situations, flashes are a dead giveaway :)).

Good luck!

Answer 4

I have to agree with Oli. Even though one of my photojournalism instructors preached that "your best zoom is your feet"  and he was right for most situations there are times you cannot get where you would like and need a lens to reach out there for you

For your camera I would say if you had to get one lens get the 18-200 VR. It will give you the range you need and with modern Nikon digital for most situations you can bump the iso up to make up for the aperature and still not get too much noise.

the AF-S DX VR Zoom- NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED will also work for you as will the AF-S VR Zoom- NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED

If money is not a concern at all get the

AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED

or the AF VR Zoom- NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED