18-55mm v 35mm to bring on a weekend trip?

[trashpost]

(Sorry if this is a double post, tried to start a new thread but it disappeared)

Going on a city trip with some mates this weekend. Focus will be on just hanging out, (ie not photography, not sports, not landscapes).

I'll bring my camera, but decided to bring just one lens. Which one?

18-55mm kit lens lets me zoom, but doesn't take that sharp pictures, and isn't as flexible when it comes to poor lighting.
35mm (f/1.8) doesn't let me zoom, but takes crisper pics and is better indoors and at night.

I like the 35mm better, but the non-zooming could be an issue not only to zoom in on things in the distance, but also to get more mates into the pictures than one or two at a time.


Which one would you bring? I'm really torn on this one, so any advice/opinion would be appreciated.

[RichardTaylor]

In what lighting are you mostly shooting, In poor light where you need F1.8 or in relatively good lighting?
What is your priority - low light or reasonable light.

Why can't you take sharp pics with your 18-55?

[Almond.Butterscotch]

I'd take my 35 1.8 with me, but that's probably because I love that thing. It's on my body 95% of the time anyways. Also, as you know, your feet can zoom for you.

[trashpost]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

In what lighting are you mostly shooting, In poor light where you need F1.8 or in relatively good lighting?
What is your priority - low light or reasonable light.

Why can't you take sharp pics with your 18-55?

Good questions. Don't know how the lighting will be for this trip - probably 50/50.
I can take sharp pics with the 18-55, but they just don't give me that crisp feeling.


Agree with Almond - I really do like the 35mm best. I'm just worried that for this kind of situation (lots of mates, big city, etc), I'll miss perhaps especially the range up to 18mm...

[TheMoons678]

Just bring them both if it's a weekend trip. Use the 18-55mm during the day, and the 35mm closer to the evening.

Both lenses are relatively small.

[RichardTaylor]

TheMoons678

+ 1

[inkista]

+2.

If you're so worried about packing the extra "bulk" of either the 18-55 or the 35/1.8, then you might as well just leave the SLR at home and pack a P&S.