Nikon 35mm 1.8 v 50mm 1.8

[dan_yorkshire]

Nikon 35mm f1.8 is at a pretty low price atm

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod1013.html

Anyone comment whether it's worth paying the extra £70 to
get this over the 50mm f1.8?

It'll be getting used on a D90 so will actually be 50mm on
my cropped sensor.

Decisions, decisions!!

 

[seventythree]

i'll make your mind up for you .

35mm

i've had both on my d90 and the 35mm is far more practical, but is it £70 more practical

 

[dab66]

Surely it depends on what you want the lens for rather than price

The 35mm gives you normal perspective on DX. Ideal for lanscapes and anything else where you want a 'standard' field of view. I've got it, it's a good un.

The 50mm is in effect a short telephoto on DX. You might find this one more useful for portraits?

You need to decide what you want the new lens to do for you.

 

[Martyn...]

Nikon 35mm f1.8 is at a pretty low price atm

http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod1013.html

Anyone comment whether it's worth paying the extra £70 to
get this over the 50mm f1.8?

It'll be getting used on a D90 so will actually be 50mm on
my cropped sensor.

Decisions, decisions!!

I would get the 35 f2, personally. Should you ever make the move to FX (D700 / D3) you will still be able to use it.

It will give a similar image to that using a 50mm lens on a full frame digital or 35mm SLR camera ... however it is and always will have a focal length of 35mm regardless of what it is mounted on.

I really would not get hung up on what this lens is equal to on a different format, pointless really, tends to confuse matters

I use the 35mm f2 on my D300, great lens

 

[martsharm]

I really would not get hung up on what this lens is equal to on a different format, pointless really, tends to confuse matters

I do know what you're saying here Martyn... a 35mm is a 35mm and the camera doesn't change things.

However, it's good to have one standard for describing how long lenses look in terms of field of view, and that accepted standard is 35mm film. So to describe the field of view of a 35mm on a crop sensor as roughly equivalent to a 50mm on 35mm film I feel is a valid description. Otherwise how else would you describe it?

The 35mm fast prime is a must for any crop sensor camera. The advantage of the f2 AF-D over the f1.8 AF-S is its image size compatibility with full frame digital and film (this is a biggie). The advantage of the AF-S over the AF-D is its AF compatibility with non-AF motor cameras (D40, D60, D3000, D5000), so it just depends which feature is most important to you. Clearly the AF-S is a touch faster.

It's good to know my 35mm f/1.8 AF-S works on my D40 as well as D90. And the AF-D is more expensive.

Both lenses highly recommended. If you can't afford the AF-D, just get the AF-S and don't worry. If you need to upgrade it should sell on just fine as Nikon sure aren't ditching the FX format any time in the forseeable future.

 

[p1tse]

35mm build quality is better

people say on a cropped sensor it will give you a truer 50mm

but having played with my kit lens on my d90, i was setting it at 35mm and 50mm.
35mm would be better indoors for group/candid pics
50mm is ok for closer head shots

i hope to get the 50mm, save the money and buy a flash. however if i find the 50mm not to be right these sell on easy

 

[Tracer]

I bought the 50mm 1.8 for low light togging indoors but although it is very good for the price I found the angle of view too narrow. I was mulling over the 35mm f.2 when the new AF-S 1.8 came out, which I bought instead as I have no plans to go FF.

I use the 35 much more than the 50 because for me the wider angle is more convenient. The 50 would be better for portraits but I don't take them.

The 35 is also much sharper wide open than the 50 which is relatively soft at 1.8. It (35) has a bit of barrel distortion but I can easily correct that with PTlens. Focusing is slightly slower than the 50 but is quiet, unlike the 50 which makes a noticeable buzz.

The older 35 f.2 has the advantage of being able to focus as close as 7 inches, so is good in museums, etc.

Just my experience and personal opinion.

EDIT: I use my SB600 more than either of the lenses together !

 

[p1tse]

personally for me, my shots will be for indoor use and portraits.

what other things do people shoot indoors and need the wider 35mm for?