Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens (OR) Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens

If you are reading the article, then you are either bored of using the kit lens or you might have extensively used you kit lens and now want to buy a prime lens to get a sharp and high quality images. But you are confused between the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens and NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens.

I actually used both the lenses on my DX camera for some time and can give you some insights about the lenses. If you are confused which one to buy, then this information might help you to decide.


Model
Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G
Type
FX
Prime
Minimum f/stop
F/16
F/22
Lens Hood
HB-47
HB-46 (very small Hood)
Closest focusing distance
0.45 m
0.3 m
Filter Attachment Size
58 mm
52 mm


Both the lens will weigh approximately same; the plastic feel is also the same. Except the lens hood and lens filter diameter. The 50 mm has big lens hood.

The 50 mm (for DX camera) is an awesome lens for portrait mainly head shots. Due to APS-C sensor crop factor the actual focal length would be around 75 mm. If you are planning for a walk around lens then this is not a good option, the 35 mm would be the ideal choice.

In spite of the quality of the lens I faced some difficulties using the 50 mm lens (as this was my first lens), not good for indoor photography since it is more of telephoto lens with the crop factor (75 mm) lacks that wide angle, not good as a walk around lens because in many situations I need to walk back a long distance to get a good composition.

The 35 mm on DX will have focal length around 52 mm (considering crop factor), which is good focal length for a walk around lens, good for indoor and landscape photography as well and ideal for full body portraits.

The minimum f-stop on 35 mm lens is f/22 good for photographing landscape and on bright sunny day. But 50 mm lens goes only till f/16. The “rule of thumb” for these lenses would be 1/75 second for 50 mm lens and 1/50 second for 35 mm lens on DX camera. Hence 35mm is has little advantage on shutter speed in low lighting as well. The size and weight makes both these lenses very portable and handy.

If your requirement is portrait lens or if you are planning to upgrade your camera to a FX body in near future then plan for 50 mm lens. If you are going for a walk around lens for your DX camera then go for 35 mm lens.
Nikon 35mm f/1.8G, Nikon 50mm f/1.8G, Nikon 35mm vs 50mm, Nikkor f/1.8G, Nikon 35mm f1.8G or Nikon 50mm f1.8G, compare 35mm vs 50mm, D5100 35mm.

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