To buy or not to buy....

I currently have the AF-S 50mm f/1.4g and I'm very happy with it. I have the opportunity (which boils down to my husband saying yes) to buy the AF-S 35mm f/1.8. He argues that if I need a wider angle to step back and all I want is another lens. Is there any validity in that? IMHO I feels the 35 is more of an everyday lens where as the 50 is a Portrait lens... (at least on my D5100.) Do I listen to myself or him????

Sometimes you just can't step back. Specially whenever you're shooting inside. The 35 would be a very nice low light lens that you could use inside for casual shots of people. I would be sad to part with mine that's for sure.
So, if you are not going to be deprived of food or electricity because of it, I think you should get it.

But it's only my opinion...

Thank you Marcel, I agree. I loved having a "normal" lens when I shot film. When I shot with Canon I was always looking for a Normal equivalent, I think he will just need to let me decide and not voice his opinion.. LOL Be seen and not heard. I kid, I kid, because I love!!!

I love affordable good quality primes!

I have the 50 & 35 f/1.8 and there is a huge difference between just "stepping back". I love the 35mm because I can step forward with that and not get so much other stuff in the frame that I will just crop out. I would say get it!

For a DX camera, a 35mm lens like the 1.8G is (IMHO) a must. However I'm not as sold on the 50mm focal length for DX so I'd be more inclined to part with that one and get either the new 85 1.8G or the older, very reasonably priced and sharp 85 1.8D. I'm not saying the 50mm prime is a waste or useless on DX, I'm saying that if you're going to have 2 primes, the 35mm and 85mm make more sense (at least to me).

PS. Can you talk to my wife about this concept of wives getting approval from their husbands before buying things?

I'm finding the 50mm prime to be basically completely useless on my crop camera. The 28 I have is much better for what I do. I'm also finding the 105 to be just a tad to long for the crop camera...knew I should have went with my first instinct and purchased the 85 instead...

I agree with most here, a 35 mm is great, should have bought that versus my 50 mm. I also use my 28 mm more than my 50. You just can't rely on being able to step back, not your choice shooting weddings etc.

MY wife bought me a truck so she could ask me if she could go to New York for a week at Thanksgiving. Bribery works wonders. Find something he really wants.

tracsoft said:

MY wife bought me a truck so she could ask me if she could go to New York for a week at Thanksgiving. Bribery works wonders. Find something he really wants.

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Why do you think I get a $200 budget? That IS why I am getting a lens. I found experienced the senior tonight when I would want a wider angle "normal" lens. I was at a daycare trying to shoot candids of toddlers... they were way too close for the 50!

Madphotogirl said:

Why do you think I get a $200 budget? That IS why I am getting a lens. I found experienced the senior tonight when I would want a wider angle "normal" lens. I was at a daycare trying to shoot candids of toddlers... they were way too close for the 50!

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I'm sorry, but can you explain this portion of your sentence, please? " I found experienced the senior tonight" I don't understand this at all. Makes no sense to me.

fotojack said:

I'm sorry, but can you explain this portion of your sentence, please? " I found experienced the senior tonight" I don't understand this at all. Makes no sense to me.

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+1 - I thought I was the only one! LOL! (I also didn't understand the reference to a $200 budget???)

Man I have no idea what happened there! I had an experience tonight where I could not just step back to get the shot. I needed a wider angle because I was trying to take candid shots of toddlers but they wanted to be so close it was hard to compose the shot.

I hope this makes sense now!

My budget comes from my husband who made a purchase recently of $200 so, to be fair, I get $200! Hey I'll take that.

Eye-level said:

I'm finding the 50mm prime to be basically completely useless on my crop camera. The 28 I have is much better for what I do. I'm also finding the 105 to be just a tad to long for the crop camera...knew I should have went with my first instinct and purchased the 85 instead...

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Which 28mm do you have? The AF-s is way out of my price range and I like AF.

Save your money the 50 1.4 will be more useful to you in the long run. Nothing wrong with the 35.1.8 the 50 1.4 is such a great low light lens - I fell in love with it in Hawaii while attending a Luai I was able to get some awesome shots at 1.4 and it was pretty dark, the extra reach 50vs 35 was very helpful too. Yes I do have the 35 1.8G.

Madphotogirl said:

Man I have no idea what happened there! I had an experience tonight where I could not just step back to get the shot. I needed a wider angle because I was trying to take candid shots of toddlers but they wanted to be so close it was hard to compose the shot.

I hope this makes sense now!

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No...but thanks for this explanation anyway! I'm still baffled by that particular section of the sentence! lol Makes no sense at all!