In article <31F4E37A.3FE0@lucent.com>, rlbunting@lucent.com says...

>Just what you needed, an opposite view point. I agree with the choice of
>the Nikon brand lens. Since my choice for a lens for working with people
>is a longer focal length, I find that the zoom is useful. The longer
>focal length may at times restrict the ability to move around like you
>have with a WA up close. I also find that a slight loss in sharpness
>that alegedly happens with zoom lenses is not 'bad' when working with
>head/shoulder (my definition of working with people) shots. Being able
>to resolve facial skin details is not my prime "focus".
>
>My two favorite lenses for my 8008 are the 35-70 f2.8 AF and the 85mm
>f1.8 AF Nikon. These are large lenses, not nearly as compact as your
>current 50mm f1.8. However, the large aperture opens up many
>possibilites with available light, also nice when working with 'people'
>shots.
>
>For snapshots, the 85mm is my 'kids' at school lens. I also used it
>extensively at group gatherings (weddings, family gatherings) for
>unobtrusively getting in people's face.
>
>Anyway, another viewpoint. Have fun.

We'll try! ;-) The original poster asked about WA lenses for shooting
people, and it is useful to point out that most people do lean toward
longer lenses for shooting people, but I will give another viewpoint,
again, with this repost of my reply to someone asking about lenses
for photographing people:

In article <4t18k4$h3v@epx.cis.umn.edu>, cheu0018@maroon.tc.umn.edu says...
>How to take a pictures of people you don't know?
>do you usually just go in front of them and press the button?
>or do you have to ask for permission first?
>What kind of len do you use? 80-200mm???
>I always want to take pictures of different people when I go travel
>and really afraid they get mad of me if I don't ask.
>Do you have any experience that you can share??

I find it easier to get close with a wide-angle not pointed directly at
someone, and either look distantly past the people photographed before and after the picture, or show the subjects that you are having fun with them
while taking the pictures.... (easier to do when you are close, using a wide-angle, and can interact more easily with them). I can't shoot people
I don't know (unless hired to do it in a context in which they would expect
me to photograph them) with a long lens ('cept a 500mm mirror ;-) - it is
too obvious who I am aiming the long lens at, and the subjects and I both
get uneasy.
Hope This Helps