so I saved up some $$ to buy a lens for my camera... but I'm waffling between the nikon 35mm and nikon 50mm. I've seen a lot of bees here raving about both and I'm unsure of which to get. I know @photojane has been a huge help for all of us so hoping she chimes in, but also looking to hear from those who have either of those lens' and what you think about them.
Looks like I can get the 50mm on adorama for $125 and the 35mm is a little more at $200 - does that sound right?
Thanks!
12 votes
pineapple / 12566 posts
I consider myself a big photo buff. I have both of these lenses and use the 35 way more often than the 50. For me, a 35 is a more useful, all purpose lens. If I'm going out for the day and I take the camera and just one lens, I take the 35. However, it depends on what you are doing with your lenses. If you are more into portraits, the 50 may be a better choice. That said, I take plenty of portraits with my 35 and love the results.
As for the price, it sounds right. B&H photo has the 35mm f1.8 listed at just under $200.
blogger / eggplant / 11551 posts
Do you have a full-frame body? I have a D90, which is not a full-frame... and the 50 mm was too close-up for me, so I returned it and got the 35 mm and LOVE it. Can you go to your local camera store and play around with both lenses?
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@lamariniere: it would be just for daily shots of my very active toddler - both indoors and outdoors. I want it to become my primary lens because my kit lens sucks and the aperture is so high (like 4 something).
@Mrs. High Heels: I have a D80, so I'm not sure?? I'm assuming it's the same as yours since they're nearly identical save for the video functionality.
Tagging @photojane: too!
honeydew / 7917 posts
I had the 35 mm, which I loved at the time. I just hated having to back up so much in order to get a decent shot of the subject. The 50 mm makes a huge difference, and I don't have to stand as far back to take a picture. The quality is better than I remember with the 35 mm. It is pretty much attached to my camera at all time. I love it!
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
@Mrs. Pen: while they are both great lenses, I'd always pick the 35mm over the 50! What @yin said is actually backwards - you will need to stand further back from your subject with a 50mm, because it is not as wide (less of the subject in the frame). You can fit much more in the frame from a short distance in the wide 35mm. The beauty of the 35mm is that you can get close to baby's face for a pulled-in close up, but step back and get an entire room in the frame. You can easily crop a too-wide shot in post, but you can't add more width when shooting!
pineapple / 12526 posts
I own a Canon, but I have the 50mm lens and I really love it. I bought it primarily for portrait/photos of C. I didn't like the idea of needing to be super close up to take the photos because C is too quick and would quickly be TOO close to me. I needed the extra distance.
kiwi / 575 posts
I have the Nikon 50mm lens for my D80 and it works really well for me, but I bow to the superior knowledge of others if they say the 35mm is better!
honeydew / 7917 posts
@photojane: Sorry about that! I later realized that I switched the two. Thanks for the correction!
blogger / wonderful cherry / 21616 posts
@photojane: @yin: haha good to know - thanks! I think I'll go with the 35 mm then 
coffee bean / 44 posts
@mrs. pen: I have a 50mm, but I'm thinking about getting the 35mm. Although I love the 50, the 35 will allow me to stay closer to my LO and still get the shot. Sometimes, I need to stay close to him to keep an eye on him (he's not quite 2 yo) The 50 requires me to step back quite a lot, especially when taking a group shot and sometimes you're in tight quarters. So I think they're both really good lenses, but it just depends on how you think you'll be shooting and what your individual needs are. I know I've searched on Google and there's a lot of blog posts about this very topic along with side by side photo comparisons. If I can find a good one, I'll post it.
cantaloupe / 6164 posts
@Mrs. Pen: you'll love it! such an awesome little lens. update me once you get it!
grapefruit / 4663 posts
I ordered the 50 mm a few weeks ago and I like it. I've always had a zoom lens (18-200mm) so its taking some getting used to.
This article led me to the 50 over the 35: http://www.btobey.com/nikon/nikon-35mm-18-vs-50mm-18.php
cantaloupe / 6610 posts
I have that 35mm f1.8 and I totally love it! I mainly shoot on aperture bc I love the soft background, but it makes every pic fantastic. The auto pics are always great too- I am not photogenic at all and my husband took some pics of me that I actually like last weekend on auto and I said, "Wow, it only took an $800 camera setup to get a good pic of me!!!"
grapefruit / 4663 posts
@PrincessBaby: I should try aperture mode! thanks for the hint. I love the bokeh.
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 0 |
| Posts | 1 | 0 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
15 comments