Purchasing a new prime, need advice urgently!

rohit

Senior Member
Hello People,

I am a nikon D5200 user, I am using kit lens for now and now I have decided to upgrade my gear.

I am more of interested in getting good bokeh and I am confused between 35mm and 50mm prime lens for my nikon. If you can put out your views on this I would be grateful.

Also, I would appreciate if somebody can tell me about merits and demerits of both lenses.


Thanks :)
 

Steve in Oz

Senior Member
Putting the bokeh aside, I have the 35mm f1.8G and the 50mm f1.8D. In the short time I've used both I've found the 35mm to be the more versatile lens day-to-day. The 50mm I found a bit too tight for many situations I shoot in, but it's all about what you want to shoot. The big 'however' is of course price: the 50mm f1.8D can be obtained very cheaply. In Australian currency I paid $247 for the 35mm lens and my wife paid $148 for the 50mm - that's not a lot to pay to get a new Nikon prime.
 

aroy

Senior Member
I have a 35mm F1.8G and the 50mm F1.8 AF. I use the 35mm most of the time as that gives me the most optimum FOV for indoor shots. The 50mm does not AF on D3xxx or D5xxx, so I use it only when MF is possible.

For general purpose photography, where DOF is required and the light is good the kit 18-55 VR-II is the best option for its price. Even though I have a 16-85, I prefer the 18-55.
 

Michael J.

Senior Member
I've got both. When I went for the New Year Vacation, the 35mm was the most I used for afternoon and night shots. My 50mm was at home. (Experience from last vacation where the 50mm was not quite comfortable for the place I went two times)
 

Steve in Oz

Senior Member
Good advice: if you're buying a prime, whether it's 35mm or 50mm, make sure it auto-focuses with the D5200 - they're not all compatible.
 

weebee

Senior Member
Same here. I have the 35, 40 micro, and the 50. The 35 has been on my D3200 pretty much since the grandkids were born.
 

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
I find I use the 35mm more than the 50mm.. not that it is better but I can use it places indoors that I cannot back up enough to use the 50.

(I have both)

Pat in GA
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
35mm is more versatile for DX as it has almost the same field of view as a 50mm on FX. I have a 50mm for my 1.5X Sony camera and I like it a lot for shooting people (not street) but it's often too narrow for an all purpose lens.
 

rohit

Senior Member
Well, thanks all for the great suggestions.


Still I have some doubts to understand:


1. Which one has a better bokeh?
2. Would 50mm fx be able to autofocus?
3. Which one would serve me better for potraits and street photography?
 

rohit

Senior Member
Thanks for the suggestions

Well the thing is Patrick, Here I am looking for good amount of bokeh. Would 35mm be able to give me that?

I find I use the 35mm more than the 50mm.. not that it is better but I can use it places indoors that I cannot back up enough to use the 50.

(I have both)

Pat in GA
 

jay_dean

Senior Member
From my short time with the 35 and 50mm lenses, the 50mm had slightly better bokeh if memory serves. The 35mm was more versatile on an apsc frame tho. A lens with AF-S on the barrel will auto focus on non-motored bodies
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
Well, thanks all for the great suggestions.


Still I have some doubts to understand:


1. Which one has a better bokeh?
2. Would 50mm fx be able to autofocus?
3. Which one would serve me better for potraits and street photography?

1. Bokeh is going to be similar between these two lenses, from my experience anyway. #3 is probably your bigger concern.
2. Yes, the 50mm FX lens is able to autofocus (assuming G lens)
3. Street photography and portraits ... to me that's two different lenses ideally. I like a longer lens for portraits, but would think a shorter lens is better for street unless sniping from a distance. In that case, the 50mm "might" be the better compromise, but would depend on what works for your street photography. I would rather use the 50mm lens for portraits.
 

Zeke_M

Senior Member
I have the 35mm DX, 50mm f1.8 AF-D and the 85m f1.8G FX

I use the 35 indoors and the 85 outdoors.

The 50 is good but for me it's a niche lens. I don't use it much but when I need it I need it bad.


Get both. They're reasonably priced and you will use both of them.
 
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