Which lens to use?

[Angie25]

Hello,
I am new here, this is actually my first post. I have been exploring the website for a while now and have found it very helpful, and I finally decided to join the forums. Anyways, I am just beginning to learn photography and am going to be going to the State Fair with my family next week. I am really excited to bring my camera (Nikon D5000) with and practice photography. My question to you is this: I only want to bring one lens with. Which one would you recommend? I am having a hard time deciding if I should bring my 35mm 1:1.8 or my 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Angie

I should also mention that I will be going with my 3yr old and 6 month old

[inkista]

This is just me, but I'd still be bringing both lenses. Both of those lenses are small and light. You paid a bunch of money for a camera body that lets you swap lenses, why limit your functionality?

But as I said, that's just me.

If you have to go single-lens, then consider whether you want more versatility on framing (in which case, bring the 18-55), or on lighting (35/1.8). My personal tastes would be the 35/1.8, because I'm a prime junkie and I love fast lenses and a 35 is a very comfortable focal length for me, and I don't mind running about, but then, I'm single, and I don't have to keep one hand on the baby.

[OsmosisStudios]

Originally Posted by inkista

This is just me, but I'd still be bringing both lenses. Both of those lenses are small and light. You paid a bunch of money for a camera body that lets you swap lenses, why limit your functionality?

The 35mm is actually pocketable and, for several of my friends and I, palmable (I can make it disappear). Throw it in a pocket or purse and enjoy.

I'm with Inkista on this all the way: if you really only want to bring one, throw the 35 on and enjoy.

[RichardTaylor]

For me I would go with the zoom as it will give you a lot of flexibility in framing your scenes.

[ahickman]

I tend to feel more comfortable with the ability to zoom. I have a 17 month old girl and I always keep my kit 18-55mm with me. I really like having the ability to zoom in on her a bit more and compose a shot around her. You can always zoom out and get a wider shot, but since I don't have anything but zoom lenses, I can't say I would be comfortable with a 35mm. If I was only taking one lens, I would like to keep my options open and go with the kit lens. But I am also a beginner, so that has a lot to do with it.

Is there a reason you only want to take one lens?

[Jim Bryant]

Take the zoom!

[Indigo November]

Take the prime!

[inkista]

Take both!!

[sk66]

What kind of pictures do you envision taking?

Much of what is interesting at a fair is the lights themselves so a fast lens is not entirely required. Many other scenes will have strong contrast (light from a booth falling to shadow), again, a fast lens is not required...

Trying to get a picture of detail not in a light source will require a fast lens...

IMO, the zoom will meet 90+ percent of the requirements and the extra width at 18mm will be very useful for interesting compositions in these settings.... I'd take the zoom...(actually, I'd take both, and a flash/tripod/remote/etc depending upon my goals...)

[inkista]

Ah. See, for me, a lot of the San Diego County Fair is not just the outdoor stuff and rides, but also the craft shows/competitions in the halls. Like, say, the photography competition/classes. And my 35/2 has better close-up capability than my 18-55, for the flower & garden stuff. Also our county fair will go on into the night with concerts and the like. I'll be going in and out of doors, and most of my time would be spent doing street shooting, so, as I said, the prime would still be my choice. I can always stop down from f/1.8 and run backwards/forwards if I need to. I simply can't open up from f/3.5-5.6 with the kit.

When it comes to our county fair, I just think Disneyland and go with that. Of course, I shoot Disneyland with a full photo backpack, tripod, and pano rig because I can't go on the rides, and I need to have something fun to do while everybody else is stuck waiting in line.

As I said near the top of this thread, it's a matter of personal taste and circumstances as to what will be the better fit.