Which lens should i go for?
Right now i've got it down to the
AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=1282-150d0ae5b3
or the
AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED
http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=72-960ba412c9
my purpose is mainly skate photography and night events such as parties etc. So if anyone who has experience in this please let me know. Also will welcome any suggestions. My camera is the nikon d3100 and i would also prefer the auto focus feature.thanks!
Added (1). *edit
also so this
AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=1218-a6b9250679
Only AF-S lenses will auto-focus on your camera.
The fisheye really does not need auto-focus since by design, it keeps most of the image in focus at f/5.6 or smaller
At present, the 18-200 mm VR is the most popular single lens option
I would definitely recommend the Nikkor versus the Fisheye because the Fisheye is a very specific effect that is useful for some photos, but not all. I wouldn't recommend it over a more versatile lens like the Nikkor, unless you're getting the Fisheye as an accessory lens (you already have a main, versatile lens).
Also, trying to use a Fisheye lens for everything will immediately make you look like an amateur to be honest. If you're looking to take photography seriously, maybe have it become a career, it's not something I'd have as my "go to" effect.
Hope this helps!
Well, it really depends on which you will be taking photos of more.
I would stray away from the fisheye unless you are going to be taking skating photos All the time, because that's really all it's good for. They're used to exaggerate perspective and enhance the look of a skateboarding trick close up. They're also useful for fitting everything in a video where you're following them on a skateboard, trust me it's really hard to follow a skater close up on video without a fish eye. (without bailing)
So assuming you're photographing people at these events and parties and you don't want to distort them, I would suggest using a fixed focal length lens. There are many benefits of using what is called a prime lens. Much of their appeal is due to less glass inside the lens. There are numerous elements inside a zoom lens which allow them to zoom, certain sacrifices have to be made to make these zoom lenses.
i would recommend you read this.http://www.digital-photography-school.com/prime-vs-zoom-lenses-which-are-best
Just another thing for you to think about.
In my opinion the best lens to go for after your kit lens would be a 50mm prime. The reason for this being, it will force you to learn how to use your camera by taking away the ability to zoom, you should be forced to figure out composition techniques. You will almost inevitably be relying on that standard kit zoom to compose the image for you, not good.
Second of all, they are fast! Their apertures are large and they produce nice bokeh! (out of focus blur) This will be of importance to you since you want to shoot events, flash is not always the best option, especially on sweaty faces. With a prime you'll be able to shoot in very low light with relative ease.
They do not distort as much as zooms. This is open to debate, but generally a prime will be less problematic than a zoom. Depending on which two lenses you compare.
Anyway, check out this http://www.nikon.com.au/productitem.php?pid=1310-8934b9b612
35mm, F1.8 and buy a £30 or so semi fish-eye attachment lens for skating. You may get better results if you use the attachment on your kit lens.
For what you want i would suggest that the lenses you've picked, bar the fisheye (which was excluded for other reasons) are not quick enough.since you've described you need a lens for fast (sport) and low light conditions.
btw if you want to check out what other people have done with these lenses you can search groups on flickr and examples of people's work using them.
here's one for that prime i suggested.