50 or 35????

Phil1974

Phil1974

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I have been looking to buy the new Nikon 50mm 1.8 for a while but have read so many comments on here that a 35mm would be better/more versatile on a crop sensor, coupled with the fact that the 50 is still not available. I have a D5000 and would mostly be using it for portraits indoors. Any advice would be welcome as I am rubbish at making decisions :) Do I go and get the 35 now or wait for the 50?? Help...
 
Can you not use your kit lens and see which focal length you find most useful?
 
I've had the same dilemma with my Canon, I went around with a zoom as compared the shots, i'm settling on either Sigma 30mm or Canon 35mm, the 30mm just looks right on my 550D.
 
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I ahve a 35mm and 50mm on a crop (canon) and i never go anywhere without the 35mm .. use it loads... the 50mm is handy but I know when I will need it.. now and then.. the 35mm i use all the time for allsorts of stuff
 
If you are not going to be taking pictures of little children I would say go for the 50mm afs one. The 50mm d lens is a nice lens but I don't know if it will autofocus on your D5000.

Also 50mm is supposed to better for portraits.
 
Actually one of the reasons for buying is to take shots of my little boy. Is the 35 not as good for this??
 
Phil1974 said:
Actually one of the reasons for buying is to take shots of my little boy. Is the 35 not as good for this??
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are you talking portrait setup shots or running around the front room... 50mm for the former and 35mm for the latter :)
 
35mm is very good for the little one especially in low light. I have both, but as I have a D80 I have got the cheaper 50mm and not the new Afs one.
 
Phil1974 said:
Any advice would be welcome as I am rubbish at making decisions :) Do I go and get the 35 now or wait for the 50?? Help...
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Use your kit lens to help you make the decision! Leave it at 35mm, see how you like the field of view. Then move it to 50mm, see if you work with the tighter crop better.
 
Only Nikon AF-S lenses will autofocus on your camera. If you're happy to manually focus, then it's more a choice of what focal length you want :)
 
I've got a 50mm 1.8 for my D7000 and although I totally love it, I do think a 35mm might be more useful, especially indoors where the 50mm can quite often be a struggle.
 
i find 50mm on FF to be a great focal length. This equates to about 35mm on a cropped sensor.
 
Woodsy said:
Only Nikon AF-S lenses will autofocus on your camera. If you're happy to manually focus, then it's more a choice of what focal length you want :)
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OP's post hints at a decision between the 35 or 50mm AF-S, the "new Nikon 50mm 1.8".

Prime focal length is a really subjective thing, which is why I say try out with your zoom first. Some people like the 35mm, some people like the 50mm, and there are people out there who like far wider and far more telephoto primes.
 
I prefer the 35mm, on a crop sensor this equals 52.5mm

50mm equals 75mm on a crop sensor, so it's much tighter

on Full Frame the focal lengths are as stated, 35mm is 35mm and 50mm is 50mm no crop

:)
 
freecom2 said:
Use your kit lens to help you make the decision! Leave it at 35mm, see how you like the field of view. Then move it to 50mm, see if you work with the tighter crop better.
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:agree: Good advise. As our American cousins are fond of saying, 'Suck it and see'

Steve
 
Cheers guys. Had a little play at the weekend and took your advice with my kit lens. My final decision is the 35mm (or maybe the 50, no, definitely the 35!!!)

Thanks for your help...
Phil
 
Phil1974 said:
Had a little play at the weekend and took your advice with my kit lens. My final decision is the 35mm (or maybe the 50, no, definitely the 35!!!)
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I too prefer the 35mm focal length, since it equals the field of view of human vision better - but when I use my midrange zoom, I'm surprised how often I end up at the 50mm end! Let us know how you get on with the prime - lovely bit of glass.
 
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