35mm or 55-200mm for a D5000???

[jpschlosser]

Hello, sorry if this has been covered before; I did a search and could not find a matching topic.

I recently acquired a Nikon D5000 with the 18-55mm kit lens. I have the opportunity to purchase an additional lens in the coming weeks, but have a tight budget of ~$250.

I would LOVE a Nifty Fifty. Apparently, this is the only 50mm lens I can buy for my D5000 that will autofocus (AF-S)...but it's double my budget. Hence, I will impress my wife with my picture-taking skills before I negotiate buying this lens. So currently, this lens is not an option.

SO I am considering a Nikkor 55-200mm VR lens, since I also want the larger focal lenghts.

However, I came across a 35mm f1.8 prime which also made me drool.

Not sure whether to get the 35 or 55-200 right now. I know what a 50mm can do for me, but not exactly sure about the 35mm. Any recommendations??? I guess it depends on the types of pictures I take?

I shoot mostly landscapes, architecture, nature, my 1.5 year old daughter and portraits, for personal and family use.

I will probably stop after I have either 35 or 55mm and a 55-200mm, at least until I start making money with the pictures or I get promoted at work and I can afford more toys.

Thanks!!!

-John

[candleman]

the 35mm is great for family, kids, portraits etc etc
the big thing about this is the aperture (pardon the punn) ..your 18-55 has 35mm in it but not at f/1.8
that lens is on my to-get list.


the 55-200 isn't what i'd call a landscape lens by any means.. but is does give you the extra reach you want. its a bit slow for indoor portraits for sure.

for the things you mentioned i'd say the 35mm is the better option.. its a good quality lens.

[jpschlosser]

Thanks, Candleman!

If you had to chose between the 50mm and the 35mm, what would you chose? I'm thinking: what if I get the zoom lens now, and then save for the 50mm? I don't think it's worth to get both the 35mm and 50mm, is it? I'm more inclined for the 50mm from what I've learned.

Thanks again.

[Nicole]

Sure it'd be worth having the 35mm and 50mm if you like prime lenses At one point I was considering adding a 28mm prime to my bag, but in the end went with an ultrawide (but that's beside the point).

One thing to consider between the 35mm and 50mm is how much room you have to move. Since you have the 18-55mm lens, try walking around with it only at 50mm (especially indoors) and then repeat with it at 35mm. If you're constantly against a wall trying to take pictures of the kids at 50mm then you'll know that you'll get more use out of the 35mm.

That being said I'm both a big fan of primes and a big fan of the 50mm

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Nicole

One thing to consider between the 35mm and 50mm is how much room you have to move. Since you have the 18-55mm lens, try walking around with it only at 50mm (especially indoors) and then repeat with it at 35mm. If you're constantly against a wall trying to take pictures of the kids at 50mm then you'll know that you'll get more use out of the 35mm.

bingo... thats good.

i have found my 50mm a tad "long" for indoor work.. generally good for headshots though.
my choice was the 50mm.. only becaue.
1. the 35mm hadnt been released yet... and
2. the 50mm D was cheap and met the budget, as its not AF-S
thats not very scientific way of buying equipment...
but it worked for the budget.

personally.. if it was my money and i had a choise between the 35mm f/1.8 or the 50mm f/1.4
i dont know.. if i didnt have my current 50mm, then i'd take the 50mm f/1.4 its higher quality glass and more solid build than the 35mm

but do what Nicole said and test the waters at each focal length.

[jpschlosser]

All great suggestions, thanks a lot! This forum is awesome thanks to folks like you. It can be frustrating and overwhelming to start to learn everything. Thanks again.

[radityopradipto]

Can I add the vote for 35 1.8?
My opinion is that 35 1.8 will give you more room to get creative and push your imagination to the limit. A zoom lens usually makes you lazy and just zoom in and out all the time... Quality? 35 1.8 should be one or two level above 55-200
Hope that this will help
Cheers mate

[Shokinen]

Originally Posted by jpschlosser

If you had to chose between the 50mm and the 35mm, what would you chose?

I went exactly through this recently is this what make me choose the 35mm.

- I wanted something that was the closest thing to 50mm on a film camera (52.5mm on my D90)
- 35mm is wider therefore gives me more options when I'm inside. Your feet can cover for the lack of range but you cannot backup further when there is a wall.
- 50mm (that will auto-focus on your body) is almost twice as much.

I took this shoot the first night I got it. I found primes very fun for composing. My step-son was like "are you done now ?" after 3-4 shots to get the exposure I wanted hehehe.



Hope this help

[gturner]

go with the 35mm,no question in my mind
Many of the low light situations require the slightly wider angle. In a smaller room, the 50mm has limitations!

I love my 50mm f1.8, but I would switch it or be buying a canon 35mm when it arrives at a better price

[kirbinster]

I would definitely go with the 55-200VR first. It is a great value for the money and will help you get some good nature shots and candids of the child.