35mm or 50mm ...which one ?

Lord Carson

Lord Carson

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My wife is going to treat me to a new lens for my D40 :). I already have the kit lens and an 18-200mm so I thought I would try a prime lens.
Since I dont really understand crop factor :shake: what would be the best option for mainly portrait shooting ? 35mm or 50mm ?
Also, is it worth the extra money for an autofocus lens for the D40 ?

Thanks guys
 
In your case owning a D40 means you are limited to which lens will autofocus. The 35mm AF-S will auto focus fine. A 50mm I think on a D40 will most likely be manual focusing.

In terms of Crop Factors - a 35mm will give around the 50mm mark - a 50mm will give around 75mm

I could be completely wrong here so will let one of the more knowlegable members give you some more advice :)
 
geebs2006 said:
In your case owning a D40 means you are limited to which lens will autofocus. The 35mm AF-S will auto focus fine. A 50mm I think on a D40 will most likely be manual focusing.

I could be completely wrong here so will let one of the more knowlegable members give you some more advice :)
Click to expand...

depends - the new 50 f1.4 AFS (or the Sigma version) will autofocus on your D40. The other Nikon 50mm lenses wont. Many people, including me, think 35mm is a more useable focus lenght on a crop sensor, but personaal choice plays a big part here

Hugh
 
It all depends upon the conditions in which you're shooting but the 50mm would be the better portrait option for your D40 which I believe is a 1.5x crop sensor (check with someone else who has strayed to the Nikon darkside :)).

This will give you an effective focal length of 75mm (50 x1.5) which is just short of the prefered 85-135mm range.
 
I have the 50mm on a 1.3 crop camera and wish I had a 35mm instead but my portrait type shots are usualy around 4 people..
 
35mm f1.8 would be my choice, I have a 35mm f2 and 50mm f1.8, the 35mm gets a lot more use. Nice close focus distance as well.
 
hey id get the 50mm 1.8 at £120.00 for 2 reasons
quality, price,
if the crop factor isnt an issue to you then dont worry
hope that helps
 
The 35mm 1.8 is a great lens, AF on your D40 and a great length. The 50mm 1.8 won't AF on a D40 neither will the 35mm f2D. The 50mm AF-S 1.4 would do well if you need the extra 3rd of a stop or indeed the Sigma 30mm 1.4 will also AF on your D40 if you are feeling brave (QC issues with Sigma have been noted all over teh web, in particular the 30mm - still lovely though.) I have the 35mm 1.8 and it's a lovely little lens and not much cash for what you are getting.
 
I've found for head and shoulders the 30/35 is too wide, but great for general indoor stuff of family and friends.

As one of the main reasons you would want one of these lenses is to use the ultra slim depth of field, I think auto focus is important... if you can afford it.
 
Do Nikon do a 35mm f1.4 AF S and if so how much does it cost? I have the 50mm G f1.4 AF S and I read that 35mm is the preferred choice for a crop sensor. I'd like the 35 to auto focus on my D40 as well as the D2Hs so will I be limited to f1.8?
 
Decide how much you want to spend.
Decide what sort of portraits you will be shooting most, head & shoulders, 3/4 length etc.
Try your kit lens at 35mm and 50mm, see what you like best for various sorts of portrait.
Look at the prices of the possible lenses and compare with your budget.
The 50mm 1.8 will not autofocus on the D40 but manual focus is not hard with portraits, you will get the green in focus light up in your viewfinder when the lens is in focus.
 
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