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DSLR Upgrade - Kit lens or Prime?

bassanoclapper

bassanoclapper

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 4, 2008
346
270
London
I'm about to purchase a Nikon D5100 to replace a secondhand D40 I have just sold. I already own a 55-200mm telephoto and I'm debating on whether to accept the 18-55mm kit lens or go for either a 35 or 50mm Prime with my new camera.

I don't shoot a lot indoors, nor many portraits. I like landscape photography but would consider a decent pancake lens in time.

As an amateur, I appreciate the convenience of a zoom lens but have read more than a few articles on the use of a Prime lens to improve skills.

So, my question is kit, 35 or 50?
 
I have both lenses and love the 35, I could care less about the 50. I have been using the 35 as much as I can and also wanting to find ways to use it because for me it works really nice, it's sharp and I can do things even inside a bit easier than with the 50.

I tried to get use to the 50, outside all over the place and even a few family functions inside but it never worked out. I waited a good deal for the 35 and it's been on my Nikon ever since except for zoom situations.

I guess it really depends what you would like from the lens or hope to do with one of them. I should add it (the 35mm) was nice to ride around with and get some Xmas light photos from around the area.
 
The first lens I bought for my canon t2i after the kit lens was a 50mm because everyone raved about the 50mm focal length. Well, I didn't like it much. At the time when I purchased the 50mm lens, I didn't understand that a 50mm lens on my crop sensor camera body would be 80mm (due to the crop factor). The 50mm lens would ONLY be 50mm on a full frame camera. Once I learned this fact, I quickly got my hands on a 30mm sigma. I have nothing but great things to say about the 30/35mm focal length on a crop camera. It is a fantastic focal length to use to improve your composition skills. The prime will force you to zoom with your feet and discover new perspectives and focus on composition rather than standing in one spot, zooming in and out, with a zoom lens. I can't say enough good things about the 30/35mm prime lens!
 
I'm a Canon guy, but thought I would chime in on the 35 vs 50mm prime discussion: I have a 50mm prime but on a crop body like the Nikon 3100 (or my Canon T2i), it is virtually worthless since the effective length is approx 80mm. This makes it practically a zoom lens. Often times it can be difficult to get a shot in a tight spaces (like in small houses). And frankly, you want a prime mostly for use in doors where lighting can be at a premium. I'm considering going with something in the < 30mm range. Remember you have to multiply by a factor of 1.6 to get the true focal length.

Hehe, guess my opinion is shared by more than just me!
 
I'm using the 35 1.8 on my D7000, and I must say, go for it! I liked it much more than the 50mm I used to use on my Sony DSLR, the 50mm equivalent is much more useful than 75mm on a crop body. I would take one of these over an 18-55 any day.
 
Guess it depends on whether you like primes or not? The 18-55 is a great little lens and at 18 its certainly a lot wider then 35 or 50, so that will be great for your landscape shots.
 
Thanks for your thoughts all. Think I'm gonna stick with the kit lens until I get back from my holiday next month and then look into getting a 35mm prime
 
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