It's also one of the most inexpensive, the 50mm f1.8 or f1.4 or f1.2 or f1.7.

I'm not sure which ones fit your camera but for indoor, natural light photography, you can't beat it. The only drawback I have to the 50mm is that it's not a zoom, but really, all you need to do is walk a few steps up or back . You do need to be careful using this lens wide open as your DOF is very narrow and your subject might end up blurry except for one eye...

You will be quite happy with the D80 and the inexpensive-yet-excellent 50/1.8. If you want to spend a few more bucks to gather more light, the 50/1.4 awaits..

Make the jump...you'll love it...

Can't help on the Nikon front, but if you're considering Canon, you'll be able to shoot any of those with a decent 35mm f/2 or 50mm f/1.8. I have those and use a 24-70L f/2.8 also. your samples would be an ISO 400 shot..

My advice either way is to use either the stock flash or an external flash as fill light. this will not only help you get the shot with better lighting but also create a nice sparkle in the eyes..

Canon 20D:.

Stock Flash as filler:http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/72711044http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/78570114http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/80234469http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/40778504.

No Flash:http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/57696817http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/72051141http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/76430157http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/37749399.

Even a good P&S will work too: (Fuji F20)No Flash:http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/79922605http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/80536285http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/79434406.

W/fill flash:http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/81505176http://www.pbase.com/pdqgp/image/81505179.

TimColumbus, Ohiohttp://www.pbase.com/pdqgp..

Well, I already have an 85mm f1.8 portrait lens from my N70 Nikon film camera, so I thought maybe I should just stick to Nikon. I think I have a few other Nikon lenses from my film days, so that's another reason. I really like Canon though!..

It turns out, I think I have a 50mm lens from my film Nikon, I'm not sure it will work with digital, I'll have to dig it out of the garage and see..

I still think I'll want a zoom lens though- what do you think of these do you think would work for people & low light?.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/.../Nikon_2162_18_135mm_f_3_5_5_6_ED_IF_AF_S.html.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/.../Nikon_2149_18_70mm_f_3_5_4_5_G_AFS_ED_IF.html.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...USA/Nikon_1929_Zoom_W_A_Telephoto_AF_Zoom.html.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Y/Nikon_1963_Zoom_Wide_Angle_Telephoto_AF.html.

Http://www.bhphotovideo.com/...Nikon_2145_24_120mm_f_3_5_5_6G_ED_IF_AF_S.html..

First, you will be much happier with the focusing of the D80 than your G5, which I assume is a Canon G5 although you said Nikon. Maybe Nikon made a G5, but I've never heard of it. Regardless, the DSLR will focus much quicker and more accurately in low light. All of the lenses you mentioned are fine. The 18-70 is very good, the 18-135 is sharp but prone to some purple fringing from what I've heard. The 24-120 VR is a very handy walk around lens, and I like mine just fine.

Your 85mm f/1.8 should work great in low light. I've used one some and it is a very good lens..

Good shooting,.

GeneNorth Carolina..

Dear Origami,.

I'm with you. Full flash burns out colours and brings out all the skin blemishes in older subjects + red eye..

I have a Sony DSC W-100 and a Samsung Pro 815..

Both have an f/2.8 lens (at the shorter end)..

Both can take good low-light flashless shots in Programme mode..

Even so, some flash is helpful in scenes such as you have posted..

What works for me is to use flash exposuure compensation (similar to normal exposure compensation, only applied to flash.).

Both my cameras have optional flash level adjustments for the built-in flash:.

In the Sony, it is accessible via the menu (it only has a minus, zero, or plus setting, but it works)..

The Samsung is more sophisticated and allows anything up to + or - two stops, accessible via a dedicated flash button and a jog wheel..

Judicious use of these features allows you to balance the flash intensity with the ambient light, so you get just the flash you need. (I leave it in the AWB mode). Exerience will tellyou how much compensation to use, but I find anything between -0.6 to - 1.0 stops works OK. It lightens up the shadow and puts catchlights into the eyes of your subjects..

This is both with and/or without red-eye reduction..

Check out your user manual to see if your camera offers this option...