Should I buy a 35mm prime?

macs

macs

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Rich
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We've recently had a little baby and as a consiquence a lot of my photography time at the moment revolves around taking shots of a 5 month old child in the house.

I'm thinking this is an ideal opportunity to practice my portrait photography around the house and with my extended family. Therefore i'm thinking about getting a 35mm f1.8. I'd also like to try street photography and from what i've read a 35mm lens wouldn't be a bad place to start.

I've read quite a few posts on here from people saying that they've loved their 35mm lens so much and just how great it is.

I currently have an 18-55 f3.5-5.6 kit lens and a 55-200 f4-5.6.

In your opinions, would you say that a 35mm f1.8 would be a good addition to my lenses? I can't afford the f1.4!!!
 
The f/1.4 is meant to be a full frame wide lens, I doubt anybody would really want to use it as a standard prime on a crop when there is the Sigma 30 1.4 for so much less, with so much less bulk.

The f/1.8 is a great little lens. I should really have sold mine (I bought one for my dad's d5000, I've since moved onto a 5D and my own gear but I've never wanted to sell the 35). Lovely for pretty much anything especially if you're coming from a kit lens (like I was, when I bought it). Once I'd bought it it basically didn't come off the camera.
 
The same reason I bought mine. I've only had it a few weeks and I love it. It works well with your camera.
 
Yep, it's a great lens for chasing the kids round indoors :) Not too sure about portrait though, I find you have to get too close for portrait shots, but that might by me.
 
Hi Rich,
Buy one, you won't be disappointed! It rarely comes off my camera for indoor shots of my little one. Couple it with a flashgun, bounced off walls/ceiling and have fun. Take loads of pics, they grow up too fast!!!!

Phil
 
I have one on my D3100 and it's brilliant!!!!!!
 
macs said:
The 50mm is more expensive than the 35mm in af-s mode. Can I take your comment to relate to the 35mm too?
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Where in the world can you get a 35mm prime lens for less then 100$
 
I find the 50mm a much better length for my little one. Pick up a 1.8 for £70 on here.
 
I just bit the bullet and bought the 50mm f/1.8 - it's cheap enough, and if I decide I want better it seems to have good residuals!

Still think a 35mm is better for me on a crop sensor though, but nice to now have a 2nd lens to play with.
 
I definitely find the extra width of the 35 helpful, the 50 is always slightly too tight for me indoors. You've got to find what works for you though, and a looked after lens will always sell pretty easily (and re-selling secondhand you'll rarely lose much money) so it's always worth trying lenses first hand.
 
NickD said:
I definitely find the extra width of the 35 helpful, the 50 is always slightly too tight for me indoors. You've got to find what works for you though, and a looked after lens will always sell pretty easily (and re-selling secondhand you'll rarely lose much money) so it's always worth trying lenses first hand.
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WHS ;)

I had the luxury of trying my OH's 50mm f1.8 on his Canon 40D but it just didn't feel right. Am really pleased I went for the 35mm, its a great wee lens and goes perfectly with the D3000.
 
Yup, I also find the 50mm 1.8 on a crop too tight indoors for chasing my 16 month old around and I'm considering a 35mm or maybe something a bit wider.
 
I have a 50 f1.8 and hardly ever used it until I got a 5D2. I always found the 50 a bit too long on a crop body. Now I have a 5D3 and a 60D and would like to get a 50 f1.4, an 85 f1.8 and a decent 28-35 fl lens (not sure what to go for yet) to go with a good set of zooms. I think I can stop buying gear then.
 
macs said:
In your opinions, would you say that a 35mm f1.8 would be a good addition to my lenses? I can't afford the f1.4!!!
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Yes. It was the first lens I bought for my D3100. Had it for over a year now and has hardly been off the camera.
 
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