Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I would compromise and choose a FF 35mm. I think this focal length is the new natural look.
I mentioned I owned an AV company years ago and all our shooters and sometimes myself
shot with a nikon 35mm. We did thousands of images for large computer driven slide shows.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

Welcome to the Hog!

I'm guessing you already have a camera/lens. If it was a kit zoom lens, check out what MM length most of your past photos are. That is a very good indication of the size you should get.

If it is already a prime, figure what you wanted that lens to do. For example, "I wish I had just a little bit more of..." That will indicate what size to get. You might be surprised to find it is already the best size.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.8, by Nikon. You can't go wrong with either one. I own both of them, and I purchased both, brand new for about $460.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

You didn't mention your camera until page two. I missed it. You have a Rebel Series Canon. I had recommended my Nikon lenses. I recommend you get the Canon 50mm f1.8 STM, and the Canon 35mm EF-S STM f2.8 macro. Good luck on your choices.

Hbuk66 Loc: Oswego, NY

Nikkor 135mm f2.8... just my opinion, and I'm not a pro...

yorkiebyte Loc: Scottsdale, AZ/Bandon by the Sea, OR

Yes and yes! I use my prime 30mm Sigma f 1.4 (AF) and a Nikkor 50mm f 1.4 (AF) for street walkaround. D7000 and D7100 Nikon bodies (DX).

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

I agree. That’s my favorite & sees more use than my others.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I think OP is looking for generalized advice. Lenses of specific properties are better suited for some scene situations, regardless of manufacturer of camera or lens. Once you have a set of generalized properties decided you can put in product specifics in each category.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

This is a fundamental point. Can jeep-daddy put a lot of meat on those bones. Human eye - single eye or binocular, peripheral or central vision. I have been doing a good bit of reading on human vision to get a handle on 'best' lenses to suit various scene viewing and would sure like to see this expanded.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

For what sort of photography?
For what format of film or sensor?
For what budget?
For what brand of camera?

Asking questions like this without specifying needs, wants, hopes, dreams, desires, and other contextual specifics is like asking, "Which is better, an Easterly wind, or a Westerly wind?"

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Way to general question, try to get a bit more specific.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

chefpat1

I am only 2 years into dslr's so keep that in mind but I love the Canon 50 mm 1.8 that I think I only paid around 130.00 for and for just walking around that is what I usually have mounted.The images are super sharp. I have a backpack especially for camera equipment and carry all my other lens's just in case. I decided to skip the cropped frames/lower cost gear and dove right in and purchased the newest Mark 5D III, the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM , the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 L Macro IS USM, the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM and the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM.

I also have the Movo vest that holds the camera and love, love love it. It is especially useful as I walk with elbow crutches all the time.
If I think I will need to zoom or am shooting outside at night, I keep the 20-200 mounted. I recently spent 2 months in P-town and the Movo vest allowed me to walk around all day every day with the 20-200 mounted and suffered 0 neck or back discomfort from the weight of the camera and lens(and backpack).

I love you guys here and have learned so much from everyone. I seldom post but will when I am good enough to answer questions or share images that I am satisfied with. I am pretty far along learning Photoshop and have a good understanding of my camera but will soon be asking for help with a few issues.
Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and experience.

Edit, I think I made a mistake...am I supposed to "quote reply" so it shows which post I am answering? I need to take the time to read the rules here but have been extremely busy. I think that is the only mistake I made, sorry

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

City walk around I would say 35mm not too wide to distort but gets in more in tight spaces.

I don't think I could use a prime for my country walk around though due to the need for big lens for wildlife and the need for a wider shot for "views", I use a 70-300, 70 gives me close enough to a normal start with a nice tight 300 at the top and the quality is better then going with a wide angle to big tele zoom, they go wide but they usually don't usually go to 300. But I like to shoot wildlife and anyone will tell you that what ever lens you have will not be big enough for wildlife.

wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN

Only if it is not the OP. You use the quote button so the other posters know you are responding to them and not the original poster because with out the quote, it is assumed you are responding to the OP.