Prime lens brainache

[Kuqo]

Hi all, I am heading to the Silverstone Classic on Sunday and then doing a local VW show the weekend after - I'd really like to get a prime lens sorted so I can take detail shots with a nicely blurred background - my standard lens just isn't good enough. My friend recommends one of these http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35mm-f18.htm and I think I prefer it to a 50mm f/1.4 as I can fit more into the photo. I don't want to rush into buying anything but it'd be nice to get one sorted before Silverstone on Sunday! Any more advice?

I borrowed a friend's lens for a gig and got some nice results:

This was an 85mm lens (but effectively ~140mm as it was on a crop sensor) but that's when it all gets too technical for me and I lost track. I just want a good lens that will make up-close detail shots look the dogs nads, with focus on only the bits I want and the background nicely blurred. Noob Help!

 

[Nawty]

Use your kit lens to see if you prefer 35mm or 50mm, then buy the appropriate prime - both the 35 and 50mm AFS primes are excellent lenses.

 

[Kuqo]

Definitely prefer 35mm to 50mm......

 

[grotty]

Use your kit lens to see if you prefer 35mm or 50mm, then buy the appropriate prime - both the 35 and 50mm AFS primes are excellent lenses.

As above. You say you'd prefer 35mm as you get a wider field of view, but you may find outdoors that you prefer the 50mm focal length, I personally do. You will also get better/more pronounced out of focus areas with a 50mm 1.4 than a 35mm 1.8.