50mmm prime lens for d3100

lolage

lolage

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Ben
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Don't really want to spend a lot as when I have the funds next year maybe I will be looking at moving to Canon for the videography!

However, for the time being I'm pretty bored with my 18-55 kit lens and want something a little more fun to play with. I am thinking 50mm will be a better choice over a 35mm? I think a 50mm would be more suitable for a skiing trip which I am going on next month also..?

I'm just a little confused by all the letters... I'm pretty sure the 1.8G AFS has a built in autofocus motor but costs close to £200 while the others dont? Is autofocus really necessary for prime lenses?

Also I read somwhere that an old 50mm prime lens on a d3100 will make it more of a 70mm. Is this correct, and if so is it really a problem?

Cheers!
 
Hi Ben, yes that right the 1.5 crop factor actually makes it a 75mm, I've got the Nikon AF 50mm 1:18 and that auto focuses on my d300s, and it cost around £70 odd if I remember rightly, you don't have to spend a fortune on these lenses to get some great pictures. Im sure the more expirenced guys on the forum will point you in the right direction, they are really all good guys and gals on this forum.
 
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Lesco said:
I've got the Nikon AF 50mm 1:18 and that auto focuses on my d300s
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However it will not focus on the OP's D3100.

For AF on the D3100 you will need AF-S Nikkor lenses, personally I would go with the 35/1.8G on that body, you may find the 50mm a bit too long but it is down to individual taste.

Best thing is to set your zoom at 35mm and 50mm and rattle off some shots and see which focal length you prefer.
 
Martyn... said:
However it will not focus on the OP's D3100.

For AF on the D3100 you will need AF-S Nikkor lenses, personally I would go with the 35/1.8G on that body, you may find the 50mm a bit too long but it is down to individual taste.

Best thing is to set your zoom at 35mm and 50mm and rattle off some shots and see which focal length you prefer.
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Yeah this is my only concern. Also I'm unsure if to go for 35 or 50.

I can either go for a G lens which is a little more and get 35/50 for £155/£190. Or get a 50mm 1.8D which will be more like a 75mm for £90.

Decisions decisions. I normally prefer shooting landscape, but would like to take some cool looking portrait / bokeh shots!
 
Best thing to do is use your kit lens at 35mm for a bit then at 50mm for a bit to see which length you think you'd find most useful.

The 35mm including crop = 52mm
The 50mm including crop = 75mm
 
milster said:
Best thing to do is use your kit lens at 35mm for a bit then at 50mm for a bit to see which length you think you'd find most useful.

The 35mm including crop = 52mm
The 50mm including crop = 75mm
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I presume I won't get crop if I use the new 1.8G versions?
 
Yeah, the sensor is cropped, the 35mm on the cropped sensor is the equivalent of a 52mm lens on a full frame sensor. To be honest though, like I said, try your kit lens at the different lengths to see what suits you best. i.e 35mm and 50mm.
 
lolage said:
I presume I won't get crop if I use the new 1.8G versions?
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Yes you will, all lenses are marked in thier 35mm equivilents.
Doesnt matter if the lens is 1 day old or 50 years old. A 50mm is a 50mm.
 
The 35mm will always be a 35mm, and the 50mm will always be a 50mm focal length lens, the field of view will change but that is all, and that is because you are only using the central part of the image.

If you set your kit lens to 50mm it will be the same view as the 50/1.8D, 50/1.8G, 50/1.4G or any other 50mm lens that would physically mount on your camera body.
 
ohjin22 said:
Serious question, should we on crop sensors instead of saying 50mm say 75mm?
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No. The focal length doesn't change, your camera just chops a bit of the image off.

A 50mm lens is a 50mm lens whatever you mount it on. The only reason why we talk about 'being the equivalent of 75 is because if you're used to a 35mm film camera, all your lenses are suddenly going to seem quite long.

And in answer to the OP, I would personally always prefer auto focus on a fast prime. If you're using it wide open, the depth of field can be very shallow and you could end up missing focus quite frequently. It's not to say that a manual focus lens is useless but with used 35mm AFS lenses going for £125 and 50mm AFS lenses going for not much more, I think the difference is worth it.
 
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I have the 35mm and 50mm G lenses and find myself using the 50mm more but that is my style, as Gary says use your kit zoom to see which you prefer. Both great lenses and both good value at under £200 IMO
 
As David says I have both also and find myself using the 50mm more both are very sharp lenses..(mine are both for sale as well!):D
 
I would personally go for an autofocus lens, either 35mm or 50mm both Nikon versions are pin sharp. However if you don't mind using manual focus and don't want to spend too much have a look at the Nikon E Series lenses you can pick up both for about £70 and they are pin sharp but not quite as well made (still better than a lot of modern lenses though)

Andy
 
lolage said:
I presume I won't get crop if I use the new 1.8G versions?
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G or D is irrelevant to the crop factor. The crop factor is the size of ur sensor and has nout to do with the letters on the lens 50= 75 weather it's an old lens or new lens.
 
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