Which Nikon lens is better? - 2

55-200mm or the 50mm. I take photos of family & of my son. All outside!

The 55-200mm is going to be a bit long for portraiture if that is your main need… Especially for group shots. Traditionally, the best portraiture lens is an 85mm f/1.4 or f/1.8, even on a cropped camera.

The 50mm is more suitable for full body shots rather than portraiture, and it might be a bit long for group/family shots.

You may also want to consider the Sigma 17-50mm f/2.8, which would provide good coverage for group and individual photos, Even at f/2.8, it might not provide the best background blur for portraiture (at least not as good as a 85mm f.18), it is still otherwise a fine lens.

http://www.amazon.com/...003A6NU3U/

I have this lens among my several other DSLR lenses.

50mm

To be honest, the 18-55mm gives you the best chance in this situation. The 50mm lacks flexibility, and you won't often get the space to use the 55-200mm to its full advantage.

Children and pets are notoriously difficult to photograph, because they just won't keep still - no kit you can buy will change that.

Each has its own advantages. 50mm is good for portraits at close distances. You can also use the 50mm for some action if you are close enough. Candids and shooting from a distance would be better with the 55-200mm.

Since you are shooting outside and the main calling card for the 50mm is excellent low light performance, I would say it is wasted. The 55-200mm will give you flexibility in getting shots that aren't all that close to you. Hoping you also have the 18-55mm kit lens for closer and wider shots.

The 18-105mm VR lens would be a better bet. It is sharper than the 18-55mm and you probably won't want to go beyond 105mm for the kids. You would probably find that more flexible than changing between the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses all the time. That should give you everything you need in a single lens.

There's a new 18-140mm lens which is meant to be good, but you pay a lot more for that extra 35mm of zoom and I suspect you don't need it.

You won't get much for the old 18-55mm on ebay but the 18-105mm isn't too expensive.

Out of those two, the 50mm, by far.