Need help from the pros deciding

Xtian Morales Baez said:

I need some help deciding on which lens to buy next. I have a 500 budget. I have a nikon d3300 with the kit 18-55mm and a 35mm 1.8 which I love and use most of the time. I mostly shoot portraits/full body and some street photography. Soon I'll be shooting a band that has around 9 members and next month I've an engagement shoot. Ive been looking at tamron AF 28-75mm f2.8 because the wide range of focal lenghts. The nikon 85mm 1.8 which might be bad for group pictures because I dont know how far I would have to move back being a DX body, but It produces that wedding picture look, tight and intimate composition that I'm very drawn to and Sigma 17-50mm f2.8 but I think its kinda like the kit lens in terms of focal length but faster aperture. Anyone has any recommendations? My gut tells me to stick to the 35mm prime and the 85mm prime and the use the kit lense if I need a wide angle like 18mm which I've found not to be common based on what I've been shooting, until I can get good wide angle lens. The only thing that scares me of the 85mm is that Ive never been in the 127mm range that this lens produces based on the 1.5x crop factor. In my head Im thinking I would have to be extremely far from my subjects, a description in feet from subject would be easier for me to picture. Thanks in advanced guys.

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With D3300 you have 24MP to play with, so you crop a lot, especially if you are not going to print big.

I think that 85mm F1.8 will be just right, depending on how far you will be from the stage. I have shot with 35mm from about 15 feet and that covers the stage nicely. With 85mm you may have to move to 30 feet to get the whole stage. The faster the lens the less noise and alternatively lower the ISO. In my case I find that f1.8 with ISO 400 is perfect for songs, but you may have to up the ISO to 800 if there is slight movement. That is assuming normal lights. If the stage is well lit, then ISO 400 will do.

Alternatively, you can try the Auto ISO. Set the minimum speed at 1/250, and maximum ISO at 800. Set ISO at 100, and then take a few test shots in similar light to check the speed and ISO at f1.8.

500 of what currency??

dollars, also to clarify I wont be shooting the band playing live. I will be doing some promo shots, so it will be outdoors.

Xtian Morales Baez said:

dollars, also to clarify I wont be shooting the band playing live. I will be doing some promo shots, so it will be outdoors.

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In that case a good prime with off camera flash/strobes, at ISO 100 would be ideal.

The Siggy 17-50 2.8 should be much better than a kit lens in every way, IQ, contrast etc, etc, and will definitely come into its own when you do indoor photography, and the wider angled lenses are what you ought to be looking at when it comes to street work, and group shots. The 85mm will be just too long for this stuff, especially as you're DX. Then there's your 35mm which you're already happy with for portraits etc

Did you try using a wide angle attachment on your stock lens? I believe it works great for indoor photography

17-50 f2.8 is a nice range on that body. Consider a Tamron version. Used non-VC (vibration control) versions are sub $300 ( i have this version) New non-VC is $500, with VC is $650 I believe.