Deciding on a Prime lens for Nikon D5300: Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro. Trying to decide on prime lens. I...

garyaosborne

Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro.

Trying to decide on prime lens. I have never had a prime. On my old D40X I just used the kit 18 - 55mm lens. I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Any thoughts? Would there be much difference between these 2?

Thanks in advance.

sandheinrichc Loc: Illinois

I have the 35mm and I use it a good amount of time. I got told when I was trying to decide the same thing that since my camera was a frame that there wouldnt be much difference between the 2.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

I have both the 50mm f/1.8 & the 35mm f/1.8.
On your (ours) camera, which is a crop-factor sensor, the 35mm is equivalent to a 52mm, and the 50mm is equivalent to 75mm.

If I had to chose one...the 35mm. Closer to the "Nifty Fifty."

amehta Loc: Boston

garyaosborne wrote:

Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro.

Trying to decide on prime lens. I have never had a prime. On my old D40X I just used the kit 18 - 55mm lens. I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Any thoughts? Would there be much difference between these 2?

Thanks in advance.

You could use your three lenses for a month or two, noting times when you wish you had a particular prime. Then to evaluate, you could look at what focal lengths you tend to use most often, and see if a prime in that range would improve your photographs.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I have the 35 1.8 and it's a great lens on my D7100. I pull it out every so often when shooting at church or parties.

There are times when I wish I'd opted for the 50 1.8, though.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The Nikon 105G is a prime lens. It's a macro and a very good portrait lens.

garyaosborne wrote:

Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro.

Trying to decide on prime lens. I have never had a prime. On my old D40X I just used the kit 18 - 55mm lens. I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Any thoughts? Would there be much difference between these 2?

Thanks in advance.

Erik_H Loc: Denham Springs, Louisiana

DavidPine wrote:

The Nikon 105G is a prime lens. It's a macro and a very good portrait lens.

You beat me to it. :)
For indoor shots, the 35mm may be better because the 50mm, with it's 75mm FoV on a DX body may me a bit long.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I have a 35mm 'welded' to my camera now.

I discarded my 'zoom' with no regret.

I have also a 105 macro and a 135 prime.

While the 105 macro is great for portrait, the 135 is better.

To get closer to something, I walk toward it. If impossible, I use the 105 or 135 even if not really suitable and then crop.

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

garyaosborne wrote:

I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

I would probably go with the 35mm 1.8. It has a closer prospective to the way your eye sees an image. It will give you a 52mm equivalent to full frame (or 35mm film) camera. I have one on a D7100 and love it. The 50mm is a little too long when shooting in tighter spaces IMHO. Plus the 35mm is cheaper. :wink:

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Like others have said the 35 is better indoors or where you can't move back. On the other hand the 35mm will distort head shots. Give you big noses. I have both. - Dave

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I would get the 35mm purely for the reason that you already have down to 70mm, and the 35mm is further away from 70mm than 50mm is.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

wilsondl2 wrote:

Like others have said the 35 is better indoors or where you can't move back. On the other hand the 35mm will distort head shots. Give you big noses. I have both. - Dave

You have a 35mm and a big nose?
Or a distorted head and a big nose? :lol:

MW

garyaosborne wrote:

Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro.

Trying to decide on prime lens. I have never had a prime. On my old D40X I just used the kit 18 - 55mm lens. I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Any thoughts? Would there be much difference between these 2?

Thanks in advance.

In the pre digital (& pre zoom) days a basic set primes would be 28mm, 50mm and 135mm (and maybe 35mm amg 85mm if you had the dough). The nearest Dx angle of view would be 20mm, 35mm and 90mm (and maybe 24mm and 50mm).

I use both 35mm and 50mm on my D5100 and D7100. I find the 50 a little constrictive - not quite long enough for portrait but too long general use. (Though on those few ocassions when it is just right it is super). So I would say you will get a bit more use from the 35mm.

If money is no object Nikon makes a 24mm that on a Dx body would be like a 35mm. Actually there two versions and the one the greater maximum aperture is very expensive. However, there is a small army of street photographers who think a full frame of film rangefinder camera with a 35 is the ultimate instrument.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

lighthouse wrote:

You have a 35mm and a big nose?
Or a distorted head and a big nose? :lol:

Just so you have it right - I have a 35mm lens, 50mm lens, big nose and a distorted head - it's big too. - dave

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

garyaosborne wrote:

Ok, folks just ordered my new camera. Ordered Nikon D5300 along with Nikon 70 to 300mm zoom and 105mm Macro.

Trying to decide on prime lens. I have never had a prime. On my old D40X I just used the kit 18 - 55mm lens. I am trying to decide between Nikon 35mm 1.8 or the Nikon 50mm 1.8.

Any thoughts? Would there be much difference between these 2?

Thanks in advance.

In the old days, when you bought a DSLR, it came with a 50mm lens, and that was it for many people. Here are ten reason to use a 50mm.

http://www.photosincolor.com/10-reasons-why-every-photographer-should-own-a-50mm-lens/