Low-light Telephoto for DX?

I know the gold standard is the Nikon 70-200 VR, but I am not sure I want to commit $2K plus to that since I already have the 70-300 VR which I find more than adequate for outdoor work.
What I am looking for is something for High School and College Graduations (and simlilar situations) that will give me decent reach and low-light capability. Problem is, I have almost zero experience shooting in that environment, so not sure what I should be looking at. And, since I don't plan on doing it all the time (limited number of kids and grandkids) I don't want to spend a lot.

My thoughts are:

Nikon 85mm AFS f/1.8
Tamron 28-75 f/2.8
Nikon 70-200 f/4 (getting pricey and overlaps the 70-300)
or
Crank the ISO up until I get decent Shutter Speeds and use the 70-300 VR

Bottomline: What do I need in the typical indoor Arena to shoot decent pics of people on stage?

No bites . . . so let me ask this a different way.

I am already leaning toward buying the 85mm f/1.8 as a portrait lens, but have no idea if it has enough reach for the indoor shoots I described.
So, is it long enough, or do I need to go longer, and if so, how long?

Wasn't here yesterday, so couldn't "bite"

Really, the only person able to answer the question of "what is enough reach", is you. We have no idea of what the areas in question look like, and we also have no idea of how far you are supposed to be from the subjects.

However, you actually answered your own question for the most part, but since you're either unable or unwilling to splurge for the 70-200 then it's all about compromise.

First off, you can always buy used. KEH is a great resource and I buy from them all the time. Pros buy and sell from them and are a reputable, customer service oriented company. I've dealt with them in terms of CS, and can attest to their professionalism. They're selling a 70-200 in excellent condition for $1599 here: Nikon Autofocus 70-200 F2.8 G ED INTERNAL FOCUS AF-S VR (77) WITH HOOD, CAPS, CASE, 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com

Keep an eye out on that site as prices and stock changes almost daily.

If 85mm is okay for reach, and you don't mind manually focusing, you can get a brand new, sharp as a tack, Rokinon/Samyang (same company) for $319. It has proven its self to be a kick butt lens and built very well. It gives the Nikon a swift kick for the money, not to mention it's an F 1.4 Check out Pixel-peeper for examples, as well as Nikon forums.

Another lens, which is a classic and gets as much praise as the 70-200 is the 80-200 2.8 It goes for about $1200 also on KEH here: Nikon Autofocus 80-200 F2.8 D ED INTERNAL FOCUS AF-S (77) (N90 & LATER), 35MM SLR AUTO FOCUS ZOOM TELEPHOTO LENS - KEH.com

And you can check out examples of that lens here: Full-size sample photos from Nikon 80-200mm F/2.8

I'd probably go with the 80-200 were I you. But if 85mm is what you're after, that Rokinon is hard to beat.

Doug

Yep, I love my Rokinon. Then again, I have a split focusing screen installed. Btw the thing feels easily as solid as my AI converted 135 f 2, which is a tank of a lens.

Thanks Doug and Mike.

I hear what you are saying about reach. Problem is I do virtually no indoor shooting and the last graduation I went to was years before I got my first DSLR so I have no feel for what kind of coverage the 85mm is going to give me.

Guess I need to set my 70-300 on 85mm and do some experiments.

Razormac said:

Thanks Doug and Mike.

I hear what you are saying about reach. Problem is I do virtually no indoor shooting and the last graduation I went to was years before I got my first DSLR so I have no feel for what kind of coverage the 85mm is going to give me.

Guess I need to set my 70-300 on 85mm and do some experiments.

Click to expand...

Play with that thing, find the focal length you like.. Then start looking, primes are much cheaper..

This really depends upon how you're shooting the graduations. Are you the official photographer with close access to the stage? If so the 85/1.8 could be the lens you need. If not, you'll need a longer lens and the 80-200/2.8 Doug b recommended would be excellent. The college my where my wife got her undergrad degree hired me to shoot their graduation ceremony (way before digital) and I used a 50/1.4 lens on a Canon F1. If you're close enough (I was at the side of the stage) the Nikon 50/1.4 is a great choice.

If you have the budget the 135/2.0 is a great lens, but the zoom is more versatile.

Choices, choices...

This probably muddied things more than cleared them, but as Doug b said, you're really the only one who can answer these questions. If you're getting paid for this job you need to get there ASAP and take some test shots using what you have, then you can decide what you need.

Lightcraftsman said:

This really depends upon how you're shooting the graduations. Are you the official photographer with close access to the stage? . . .

Click to expand...

Nope . . . the proud Grandpa sitting in the upper deck.

Then you need reach. I suggest a 500/4 and a monopod. Crank it up to ISO 1600 and you'll be good. KEH has one for a mere $4649.07.

Use your 70-300 VR and adjust the ISO as needed. Which Nikon body do you have? What photo editing software do you have?

Bumping this up a bit for a heads-up. I know you'll need a tele zoom lens, but just wanted to share a link. Rokinon's 85 1.4 is on sale via Groupon and it's really too good a deal to pass up if you don't mind manual focusing.

Rokinon Portrait Lens Deal of the Day | Groupon Abilene, TX

Doug

Doug b said:

Bumping this up a bit for a heads-up. I know you'll need a tele zoom lens, but just wanted to share a link. Rokinon's 85 1.4 is on sale via Groupon and it's really too good a deal to pass up if you don't mind manual focusing.

Rokinon Portrait Lens Deal of the Day | Groupon Abilene, TX

Doug

Click to expand...

$100 off looks like a great deal.

Lightcraftsman said:

Then you need reach. I suggest a 500/4 and a monopod. Crank it up to ISO 1600 and you'll be good. KEH has one for a mere $4649.07.

Use your 70-300 VR and adjust the ISO as needed. Which Nikon body do you have? What photo editing software do you have?

Click to expand...

Must be part of the Forum software problems, but I just saw your post.

My current body is the D5000 and I use Aperture 3.0 and Adobe PSE 10

That is a plenty capable camera. As I mentioned earlier, use the lens you have, shoot in RAW mode at ISO 1600, then you can remove some noise and sharpen the photos a bit in Aperture. I don't see any need for you to spend money for this event.

Lightcraftsman said:

That is a plenty capable camera. As I mentioned earlier, use the lens you have, shoot in RAW mode at ISO 1600, then you can remove some noise and sharpen the photos a bit in Aperture. I don't see any need for you to spend money for this event.

Click to expand...

I like that answer and I know my wife will LOVE it. She is very supportive of my interests but still cringes at the cost of most of the photo gear I look at.

If your shutter speeds fall below 1/100 second while on the telephoto end bump to ISO to 3200. If you are closer and using the wide end of your lens don't let the shutter speed drop below 1/60 second. VR helps you hold the camera steady, but does not stop moving subjects.

Above all else, have fun!

Lightcraftsman said:

Above all else, have fun!

Click to expand...

Thanks . . . probably the best advice of all.