First, both are nice little lenses and will help in low light, so i do think you should opt to get 1 of them. I think, if these are your only choices, you may be better off with the 35. A 50 is great if you plan on doing 3/4 shots, or even head shots....full body IF you have the room. If you are planning on doing the traditional, full lengh group shots and similar, the 35 will allow more room for that. the 35 is also a great portrait lens, but you have to get a bit closer to the subject, which may make some people uncomfortable. Consider the space you are working in. In the past, i have almost screwed myself not having a wider piece of glass in my bag, thinking the 50 would be fine. I literally had to use every inch of space to get everyone in the frame...granted, it was a tight space, that i was not aware we were using for this. Remember, a 35 is equivelant to 52mm and the 50 is more like 75mm on the DX sensor.