Bill_de Loc: US

True. We discussed this not too long ago. But in today's mindset it is tough for people to be assertive. What we see sometimes is a street shooter coming home with portraits shot with such a narrow field of view that there isn't enough background to give even a hint of where it was shot.

I call them "Street Portraits", and while many are very nicely done, it ain't like it used to be. Time marches on.

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Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I mentioned that as her camera is a DX format. I agree that 3rd party is her best bet and used at that.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Years ago, I used the 18-200mm on my D7xxx cameras. I think 200mm is the shortest tele you'd want. Look for used and refurbished. Nikon has a new 70-300mm for DX, but it costs about $700. Be patient, and yuou could get the 18-200mm on ebay for around $200.

Recent sales on ebay -
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=nikon%2018-200mm&LH_Complete=1&LH_Sold=1&rt=nc&_trksid=p2045573.m1684

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Hi Jules, In response to your post I too have a D3300, one of four Nikon bodies. First point to remember is the D3300 doesn't have an in body focus drive motor which will limit your choices and cost a great deal (for 2.8 or faster) unless you are not opposed to focusing manually and not having vibration reduction. Second point is that anything faster than 3.5 will run into a fair amount of money, unless you stumble upon a good deal on something used or refurbished for a lens with SWM/VR.

As for bang for the buck (apertures under f/3.5) the older Nikkor AF or AF(D series) lenses are your best option for lenses f/2.8 or faster. Depending on what range your looking for, for example a good mid-range is the 35-70mm f/2.8 (push pull style lens) will run you about 300.00 +/-, or for a really good lens with reach out to 200mm is the Nikkor 80-200mm D series lens (several styles out there) which is still a current production lens (new 1225.00) and can be had used for 700 to 800 dollars as opposed to the current 70-200 series of lenses that will run you up to and over 2,000 even for used or refurbished. All be it they do have built in motors and VR.

I have both these lenses and can attest they are very good. The 80-200 is a bit heavy due to it's mostly all metal construction but, it's really sharp, great micro-contrast and color rendition. Bare in mind anything in the newer line of lenses will run into more money if you want to stay with the Nikon line of lenses. If you're not opposed to third party lenses I'm sure you can find something in those ranges that would be less or the same price wise. But, then again, until recent years (the last 5 or so) have the third party lenses been able to really compete with the Nikkor and Canon lines of lenses especially when it comes to zooms.

Hope this helped a little and is food for thought, happy shooting and let us know how it pans out, good luck.

queencitysanta Loc: Charlotte, North Carolina

70-300 look at reconditioned B&H or Adorama, KEH or my friend Carter at Carter's Camera Corner. Carter is a wealth of knowledge he is on this site as MT Shooter. Good luck

Mary Kate Loc: NYC

Very nice. I really like #1

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Jules, I feel your pain. I am recommending a Used Mint Nikon 18-200 VRII lens. It is one of the sharpest Nikon zoom lenses. I always have one in my bag when I travel. It does not meet your speed requirement but with the D3300 you can up you ISO so the lens will become faster. It will not cost you an arm and leg and you will be pleased with the results. With the D3300 the 18-200 becomes a 27-300 mm lens. It is lite and becomes like an all around lens for travel. Here is a link to ebay. I suggest you try to get one Mint in the box. Buyers have a 30 day return policy. I buy used MINT off ebay from sellers who only have a 100% rating and have at least 50 sales. I have never made a bad purchase.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1311.R5.TR12.TRC2.A0.H0.Xnikon+18-200.TRS0&_nkw=nikon+18-200mm+vr+ii&_sacat=0

jccash Loc: Longwood, Florida

Lower than 3.5 $$$

I sold my Nikon 18-200 bought the Tamron 18-400 for better reach. So far I’m hapoy with it.

One of my favorite lenses is my 35mm 1.8 Nikon which only costs about $195 new.

marty wild Loc: England

For street work you need a 50mm prime F1.8 to zoom stand closer dead easy and cheap too

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It should not come as something new that fast lenses are going to be expensive, it has already been discussed here by other members. On the other hand, with good light a lens sporting a maximum aperture of f2.8 is not a necessity for street photography unless you shoot lots of portraits and you like to blur the background, better known as the bokeh of the lens.
Sigma and Tamron manufacture a very good quality 17-50 f2.8 lens. You should try it to see if that is what you need but as has been already discussed make sure that the lens can be used with your camera.
As suggested by Bob, raising the ISO is also a good choice with slow lenses.

Tet68survivor Loc: Pomfret Center CT

I have the D5200 kit came with two Nikkor lenses, 17-55 and 70-200! I purchased the Tamron 16-300 and never took the other two out of the boxes! The Tamron works well and is my all around lens! Only reason I would part with it would be to get the 18-400 which is suppose to be better, well maybe a 150-600 G2 also.

olsonsview

If there was a lens made that had a wide zoom range, fast constant aperture, and low price, every photographer here would own that lens, and never part with it, even to our grave! You saw some great recommendations in the wide to tele range of zooms. Just settle on a few, then look up some reviews on each of the lenses. Then decide, and make an informed purchase. You will have confidence in your choice because you did your own homework. Now if you want a sweet bokeh and something for rad street portraits, just get a lowly 50mm, as an additional lens, in a f1.8-1.2 range as budget allows. It will give you a fast 75mm equivalent view on your Dx camera, with bokeh galore. So a wide zoom to sweep the street views, and a tight fixed to get personal with. If there is a local photo club near you, say hello and you may find yourself taking test shots on your camera body with a slew of nice lenses. Even a faster f2.8 lens in the range of zoom you have now cannot duplicate what a prime fast lens can render. And most of the great brands of lenses have made stinkers, that burn the purchaser. So do the homework before you lay your money down.

Joecosentino Loc: Whitesboro, New York

More then 500 bucks. But the Nikon 24 to 120, is a great all around lens.

Mundj Loc: Richmond TX

I am a Pentax user and cannot speak specifically about Nikon. For me the best solution is an 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 walk around lens and a 50mm f/1.8 for low light situations. The 50mm is quite small, easily carried in a pocket and unobtrusive.