Nikon 35mm or 50mm Lens?

[CSJXX]

Hey,

Looking for some help and advice. I'm looking to buy a prime lens for my Nikon D5000. Can anyone tell me what the difference if between the 35mm and 50mm. Also which one i'm more likely to enjoy using and find easier to use?

Thanks in advance

[Simpo Two]

Principally, field of view. 35mm will give a wider view than 50mm.

Other factors to consider are aperture and focusing (screw-drive or AF-S). However, I don't know what you priorities are so can't advise.

[AndWhyNot]

Love my 35mm, hardly ever use the 50mm. That's on a crop-sensor Nikon as yours.

The 35mm AF-S f/1.8 rates very highly, as does the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I'm not familiar with the latest Nikon bodies but you'll need to know whether your camera has an Autofocus motor built in as this will affect your lens choice (some lenses need the camera's motor to drive the lens AF).

[andy-xr]

Been looking at the 35mm 1.8 as well, reports state that while it's a DX it'll work fine on FX with full coverage, which is interesting.

Also alleged to be up there with the IQ of the 50mm 1.4, which is streets ahead of the 50mm 1.8 based on the examples of each I have. For £150'ish seems like it's worth a go

[AndWhyNot]

andy-xr said:

Been looking at the 35mm 1.8 as well, reports state that while it's a DX it'll work fine on FX with full coverage, which is interesting.

Also alleged to be up there with the IQ of the 50mm 1.4, which is streets ahead of the 50mm 1.8 based on the examples of each I have. For £150'ish seems like it's worth a go

Matt (Muska on here) used the DX lens on his D3 but ended up moving to the 35mm f/2 for FX. Not quite sure why tho.

Talking more generally about the AF-S series, don't understand why the price of the 35mm and 50mm AF-S are soo out of line with the 24mm and 85mm AF-S

[dumbfunk]

On a crop sensor it's the 35mm every time. I find the 50mm (giving a 75mm-style field of view) to be a very uncomfortable length for an only prime lens.


df

[RobDickinson]

The cheap nikon 50/1.8 wont autofocus with the d5000 will it?

The 35f1.8 af-s is a superb lens and I'd probably buy it as my first crop lens if I owned a nikon. Its superb, I wish canon made it.

[Muska]

I did indeed own the 35mm f1.8 and use it on a full frame camera for a short time. It can produce nice results, and it's very sharp for it's price range, I'd not hesitate if I was looking to buy it for a crop body but on full frame it did give a heavy vignette, even wide open, and while this is acceptable in some scenarios (I mostly shoot reportage/portraits) in others it was just too noticeable, especially if you have a solid coloured background.

On Andy's recommendation I changed to the 35mm f2D, which was a bargain at £140! I've I've been very happy with that ever since. I like that focal length so much in fact I'll be buying the new Nikon 35mm f1.4 in spring.

I'm not sure if the 50mm f1.8 will AF on a D5000, but the 35mm f1.8 will and unless you primarily wish to do head & shoulder portraits I'd consider the 35mm instead as it's a better focal length to work with. Thats my personal opinion anyway.

[AndWhyNot]

Muska said:

I'll be buying the new Nikon 35mm f1.4 in spring.

[chopper602]

I've got a 35mm on my Nikon D5000 and as long as it's an AF-S it will autofocus fine. It's a GREAT lens and I'm glad I bought it (eBay!).

[mcflurry]

The 50mm f1.8 AF won't autofocus on the D5000

http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/d...