questions on what's best

daveskates

Senior Member
Alright well I haven't been on here in so long. Last time I was here I had owned my first camera a D40 and since then have upgraded to a D3100 that i've owned for almost 2 years now. Picked up the camera again and been having fun shooting again, still with the kit lens. My question is what do most of you prefer i was trying to decide between the 35mm and a 50mm lens. I also notice some say "F 1.8" while others say "F 1.4". I'm not sure the difference and what's best but any info would be greatly appreciated. I mainly like to take pics of friends or if i'm travelling pics of new areas.
 

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
Alright well I haven't been on here in so long. Last time I was here I had owned my first camera a D40 and since then have upgraded to a D3100 that i've owned for almost 2 years now. Picked up the camera again and been having fun shooting again, still with the kit lens. My question is what do most of you prefer i was trying to decide between the 35mm and a 50mm lens. I also notice some say "F 1.8" while others say "F 1.4". I'm not sure the difference and what's best but any info would be greatly appreciated. I mainly like to take pics of friends or if i'm travelling pics of new areas.

35mm and 50mm refer to the focal length of the lens, which affects the angle of view. Don't confuse the 35mm focal length of a lens with the 35mm film format.

For a camera that takes 35mm film, and shoots a standard 36×24mm frame thereon, a 50mm lens is in the range of what is considered a “normal lens”, and approximates the angle of view of the human eye. The same holds true of “full-frame” or “FX-format” DSLRs, which have a sensor that is about the same size as a standard frame of 35mm film.

Both your D40 and your D3100, however, are “DX-format” cameras. Their sensor is smaller than a standard 35mm film frame, and so the lens needs to be scaled down accordingly, to get the same angle of view. A lens with a focal length of 35mm is a “normal lens” on that camera, approximating the same angle of view as a human eye, or as a 50mm lens on an FX camera or a 35mm film camera.

So, for most purposes, a 35mm lens will be more desirable to you than a 50mm lens. On your camera, a 50mm lens would be a “slightly-telephoto” lens, giving about the same angle of view that a 75mm lens would give on an FX or 35mm film camera.

As for ƒ/1.8 vs ƒ/1.4, that refers to how wide the aperture can open. A smaller number means a wider aperture, which lets in more light. An ƒ/1.4 lens will open slightly wider than an ƒ/1.8 lens,letting in more light. A lens that can open wider is more desirable, and is referred to as being “faster” than a lens that doesn't open as wide.
 
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Griso

Senior Member
A vote for the 50mm here. On DX I found it nice for pics of the kids and stuff when out and about. Obviously depends on what you want it for though, but 50mm for me!
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
35mm and 50mm refer to the focal length of the lens, which affects the angle of view. Don't confuse the 35mm focal length of a lens with the 35mm film format.

For a camera that takes 35mm film, and shoots a standard 36×24mm frame thereon, a 50mm lens is in the range of what is considered a “normal lens”, and approximates the angle of view of the human eye. The same holds true of “full-frame” or “FX-format” DSLRs, which have a sensor that is about the same size as a standard frame on 35mm film.

* Both your D40 and your D3100, however, are “DX-format” cameras.* Their sensor is smaller than a standard 35mm film frame, and so the lens needs to be scaled down accordingly, to get the same angle of view. A lens with a focal length of 35mm is a “normal lens” on that camera, approximating the same angle of view as a human eye, or as a 50mm lens on an FX camera or a 35mm film camera.

So, for most purposes, a 35mm lens will be more desirable to you than a 50mm lens. On your camera, a 50mm lens would be a “slightly-telephoto” lens, giving about the same angle of view that a 75mm lens would give on an FX or 35mm film camera.

As for ƒ/1.8 vs ƒ/1.4, that refers to how wide the aperture can open. A smaller number means a wider aperture, which lets in more light. An ƒ/1.4 lens will open slightly wider than an ƒ/1.8 lens,letting in more light. A lens that can open wider is more desirable, and is referred to as being “faster” than a lens that doesn't open as wide.

Much more detailed description than I can write right now, but I agree. The AF-S 35mm f/1.8 DX is what I would recommend right now.
 

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
A vote for the 50mm here. On DX I found it nice for pics of the kids and stuff when out and about. Obviously depends on what you want it for though, but 50mm for me!

If you shoot with a lens having a wider angle of view (shorter focal length) than you really wanted, you can always crop the picture in to get the narrower view.

The reverse is not true.
 

Bill16

Senior Member
The nikkor af-s 35mm f1.8 dx g lens is suppose to be a very sharp lens for a great price! So I think you would love this lens!:)
I also am a 50mm fan too even on DX nikons, as it is pretty good for portraits using a DX. I even like it for some portrait type work on FX nikons that I have.

I also found I really like the F1.4 versions of lenses when I can get them. But you can get really good shots using the F1.8 version and it is often much cheaper, and is a bargain for the quality!:)
 

daveskates

Senior Member
cool i read all of your comments and i greatly appreciate the feedback. Actually before most of you commented I just went ahead and purchased the 35mm 1.8, i saw one for $135 shipped and didn't think i'd get a better deal than that so I hopped on it! It should be here either saturday or monday depending on shipping. Will it be an immediate difference from the stock lens? i'd imagine anyway. I shoot for fun and i've gotten really good comments on the pics i take with the stock lens so it can only go up from here. thanks again!
 

SteveH

Senior Member
Congrats on the new lens - The 35mm F1.8 is an awesome lens! You will notice the difference right away, your images will (As long as you are using it right!) appear much sharper and more vibrant.

Just for info, the 50mm is just as good it simply has a different field of view as already explained - However - The cheaper 50mm f1.8 D lens has no internal focus motor, so wouldn't auto-focus on a D3xxx or D5xxx series body. To auto focus on those bodies you would have needed the 50mm F1.8 G. (Just in case you love your prime lens so much you want the 50mm too!)
 

daveskates

Senior Member
Congrats on the new lens - The 35mm F1.8 is an awesome lens! You will notice the difference right away, your images will (As long as you are using it right!) appear much sharper and more vibrant.

Just for info, the 50mm is just as good it simply has a different field of view as already explained - However - The cheaper 50mm f1.8 D lens has no internal focus motor, so wouldn't auto-focus on a D3xxx or D5xxx series body. To auto focus on those bodies you would have needed the 50mm F1.8 G. (Just in case you love your prime lens so much you want the 50mm too!)


thanks i appreciate it! it should be shipping out today i believe, assume i'll have it sometime next week im really excited to shoot with a 35mm i never got the chance to get one even when i had my D40 since then upgraded, always heard ppl rave about the 35mm so i'll finally get to experience it!
 

Griso

Senior Member
If you shoot with a lens having a wider angle of view (shorter focal length) than you really wanted, you can always crop the picture in to get the narrower view.

The reverse is not true.

Absolutely, but a wider angle for close 'portraits' is less flattering. And more in focus/less background blur. But that's just me.

Congrats on the new lens - I do have the 35mm too and it is great!
 

daveskates

Senior Member
Enjoy your 35mm - I have one of these for my D5100 and it is the best lens I have for that camera. Love it to pieces.


thanks im anxious for it to get here already, shipping went out a day late so it's looking more like tuesday or wednesday but i will take it out shooting right when i get it! I do have to ask, will i need to tweak my settings in manual mode after i put the lens on or will work the same as the stock lens?
 

Fortkentdad

Senior Member
thanks im anxious for it to get here already, shipping went out a day late so it's looking more like tuesday or wednesday but i will take it out shooting right when i get it! I do have to ask, will i need to tweak my settings in manual mode after i put the lens on or will work the same as the stock lens?

I've never tweaked this lens. Only played around with fine tuning one lens and that was just to figure out how it is done. I'm from the "if it ain't broke - don't fix it" school of thought. Unless your find you're having a problem focusing then I'm not convinced it is worth the effort - others may disagree.

This lens is a very sharp lens and wonderful in low light settings. Slap it on and go have some shutter-fun.
 
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