I have spent an estimated $30,000 on gear over the past three years and I'm here to tell you that gear doesn't make an awesome photo.  While researching whice telephoto lens to buy for my Nikon cameras, I made the decision to buy the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D  over the newer 70-200 f/2.8 VR.  Why?  Optics and performance are virtually the same for portraits (I'm not a sports shooter) and the price of the 80-200 is almost a 1/3 of the price (I scored mine for $725 on Amazon).  I can't tell you how much I love this lens;  I don't want to hear any cry babies on speed, vibration reduction, etc.  This is an awesome lens and I couldn't be happier with the outcome.   Most of you know that I'm not a camera scientist, I'm more of an artist.  You want hear my speaking geeky pixel peeper information about chromatic abberation, etc.  (unless it's from my polar opposite, Preston)  Lighten up and shoot with this baby!  

Prime lenses helped with my creativity when first starting out.  The zoom is in your feet!!!  I recommend primes for those getting started...it helps train the eye.  What elements do you want or not want in the photo?  The inability to zoom makes you move,  going too wide creates problems with portraits in certain situations.  That being said,  I'm shooting more these days with zooms for practical reasons,  but my eye has been trained due to the use of primes.  I hope this helps!

PICS click READ MORE: