Which Prime Lenses to Purchase? Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a Nikon D7000 to the D750 and go full frame early next year and I'm trying to decide which prime lenses...

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a Nikon D7000 to the D750 and go full frame early next year and I'm trying to decide which prime lenses to purchase. I've looked at the 35mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4, and the 85mm 1.8 and they all look great. I understand each can be used for difference scenarios and types of photographs, but I'm wondering what the Hogs think of these lenses and what you think the best applications are for each. And let me say right up front, I have a serious (really fatal) GAS affliction - so maybe I'm trying to justify the purchase of all three . . . ? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and ideas!

old hippy Loc: Kentucky hills

85 mm 1.8G. On my camera most of the time. 50mm and 28mm almost never. The 85 mm is the sharpest lense out there. Later. Ed

Mormorazzi Loc: Temple, Texas

For portraits, get the 85 for better compression and less distortion than the 50. I have a 105 DC for portraits, which delivers gorgeous photos for outdoor portraits, and a 105 2.8 for macro, but I wish I also had an 85mm for tighter, indoor quarters when I'm taking portraits. If you find that you shoot a lot of landscapes, get the 35. Aw, heck, get all three.

jcwall396 wrote:

Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a... (show quote)

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

jcwall396 wrote:

Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a... (show quote)

They are all great primes. The 50 and 85's are FX lenses. Be aware that the 35mm F1.8 comes in two varieties, the DX model for $200 and the FX model for $600. Many people get the DX thinking they are getting a better deal but not if you are going to use it on the FX D750. One alternative I would look at is also the Nikon 50mm F1.8, its a lot less money that the F1.4 model and just as sharp, believe me, you will find very few times when you want to actually shoot at F1.4.
Good luck and enjoy that new D750!

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

If you get the 35 1.8 keep in mind that most are DX lenses. I think Nikon has recently released a FX version, but not sure. Since you are moving to the d750 you will want to stay with the FX lenses. After posting I see that MT got his in ahead of mine. I'm sure he is correct. Personally I use a 50mm 1.4 pre D model because when I need that fast a lens, I'm probably doing a wedding and can't use a flash any way. Great lens and sell used in good condition for about $200. If I can use a flash, I don't need the f1.4. Consider a wider lens fixed at 2.8. Not much difference from a f1.8. In that range I use a prime 20mm 2.8 or a 17-35mm 2.8. Each very sharp and have several advantages. Good Luck.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

jcwall396 wrote:

Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a... (show quote)

The decision of buying cameras or lenses is a very personal one. That decision is mostly based on the intended use but there are other parameters like ergonomics, how camera and lens feel in hand and last but not least the different functions the camera can perform.
The D7000 is an excellent camera, I do not know about the D750. Selling your D7000 means selling all of your DX lenses also to go full frame.
The lenses you mention have all of them very good reviews but if you finally decide to buy them make sure you have use for them. As good as the 35mm f1.8 is it is no substitute for a good walk around lens but that is only my personal opinion. The zoom lens is more convenient.
If you have, like many others GAS be ready to spend good money. If the money you will spend will make an impact in your photography only your expertise will know.

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Mormorazzi wrote:

For portraits, get the 85 for better compression and less distortion than the 50. I have a 105 DC for portraits, which delivers gorgeous photos for outdoor portraits, and a 105 2.8 for macro, but I wish I also had an 85mm for tighter, indoor quarters when I'm taking portraits. If you find that you shoot a lot of landscapes, get the 35. Aw, heck, get all three.

Thanks for the info! I shoot mostly landscapes, but I have a new "great great nephew" on the way in March, so I'd like to have something that takes great portraits indoors. Aw, heck, maybe I should get all three??? :-)

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

MT Shooter wrote:

They are all great primes. The 50 and 85's are FX ... (show quote)

Thanks for the info, MT! I am aware that there are DX and FX "versions" of these lenses, and am looking at the FX. Good to know that the 50mm 1.8 is just as sharp as the 1.4 - I could definitely use the savings!

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Leon S wrote:

If you get the 35 1.8 keep in mind that most are D... (show quote)

Interesting you mentioned the 20mm - I looked at that lens, but am planning to get the FX 14-24mm for wide landscape shots. I currently use the DX format 12-24 on my D7100 and it's a beauty! I won't be doing wedding photography, but do want to get better quality indoors for family pics and such.

Oops - I meant the DX 10-24.

mtparker Loc: Cape Charles & Springfield, Virginia

jcwall396 wrote:

Good morning, Hogs! I'm planning to upgrade from a Nikon D7000 to the D750 and go full frame early next year and I'm trying to decide which prime lenses to purchase. I've looked at the 35mm 1.8, the 50mm 1.4, and the 85mm 1.8 and they all look great. I understand each can be used for difference scenarios and types of photographs, but I'm wondering what the Hogs think of these lenses and what you think the best applications are for each. And let me say ...

I might misreading between the lines here but I think you are asking for advice on the use of lenses with which you are not familiar.

If that is the case I'd recommend you step back and look at your needs first if you haven't already done that.

Why go full frame?
What do you shoot?
What do you want to shoot?
Why primes?
What do you want these particular primes to do for you?
Why not zooms?

Rick36203 Loc: Northeast Alabama

Mormorazzi wrote:

For portraits, get the 85 for better compression and less distortion than the 50. I have a 105 DC for portraits, which delivers gorgeous photos for outdoor portraits, and a 105 2.8 for macro, but I wish I also had an 85mm for tighter, indoor quarters when I'm taking portraits. If you find that you shoot a lot of landscapes, get the 35. Aw, heck, get all three.

I second the "Aw heck, get all three". I too, added the d750 after owning the d7000 for some time. I already had FX lenses covering 24 - 300 mm. Normally shooting people, the 85mm stays on camera the most, followed by something in the 24-35mm range.

If you buy the 85mm and the 35mm you won't likely need a 50mm. But it's the cheapest of the bunch. So, what self-respecting G.A.S.-aholic would pass on its purchase?

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

Be Honest. You DO Want Them All!!!!! This is the start of the Christmas Holiday season. If there are three people who want to spend money on you, tell each one a different lens. You will end up with all of them. Then you will have money left over to purchase some fast telephoto lenses and have more toys to play with in the New Year. Good luck with your GAS attack.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

JC, the 50mm gets my vote.
There is a reason it was the stock lens on on 35mm cameras for 50 years.
Good luck. :thumbup:
SS

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Flyerace wrote:

Be Honest. You DO Want Them All!!!!! This is the start of the Christmas Holiday season. If there are three people who want to spend money on you, tell each one a different lens. You will end up with all of them. Then you will have money left over to purchase some fast telephoto lenses and have more toys to play with in the New Year. Good luck with your GAS attack.

Yes, I DO want them all! Absolutely. :-) I like your approach with Christmas coming up!

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

SharpShooter wrote:

JC, the 50mm gets my vote.
There is a reason it was the stock lens on on 35mm cameras for 50 years.
Good luck. :thumbup:
SS

That seems to be the "go to" lens for so many of the photographers on this forum - it just seems to be kind of a "best all around" prime lens. And spot on with the old 35mm cameras. I shot with Minolta about a million years ago and that was the lens of choice. I think I need it, especially since MTShooter pointed out I can get the 1.8 vs. the 1.4 for about half the cost and not miss anything.