Primes: 50mm vs 35mm, and G vs D models

[orion318]

Hey guys,

Thinking about getting a prime for my D7000.
I currently only own the kit 18-105 lens.
It's nice but everyone raves about the quality of primes and how they're usefull to evolve your photography. Also atm i'm taking a lot of shots of the baby and the camera always wants to use flash (stop it!) i think using a prime might help.

Besides photos of the child i would also use it for portraits of adults, and outdoors aswell on trips and stuff.

So the question is 35mm or 50mm? I've tests both distances on my current lens and i quickly came to a conclusion (is it wrong?): i could always walk the 35mm into a closer "50mm" crop while at 50mm sometimes i can't step back enough to fit everything in the frame.

But what about image quality of both lenses, distortion on the 35mm? bokeh quality etc.
and differences between the D model and the newer (more expensive) G?

So do i go for the cheaper 50mm 1.8D?
Or do should i go for the 35mm 1.8G? or for the similar priced 50mm 1.8G?

Price range wise the 1.4s are a little too expensive for me atm.
Thanks for your input

[TheMoons678]

its all about preference. 35mm may be better for kids due to space as you already mentioned. Ive used the 50mm a lot and love the length. I bought the 85mm used on craigslist and had the same issue of not being able to back up enough. I then got the 35mm used on craigslist which was ok but I sold it to have money for a sb600 to bounce flash when i'm indoors. As you can tell I like trying lenses for free by buying cheap on craigslist and then selling them if they're not for me.

PS i think there's no reason to get the 1.8G. If you're going to spend $200 for the 1.8G you might as well spend 250 on a 1.4D.

The biggest issue here is that YOU NEED TO GET OUT OF AUTO MODE!!!

[orion318]

Ah you're ruinning my budget :P

Now considering going from the 50mm 1.8d to the 50mm 1.4D...it's 150€ more than the other.
G versions are about 50€ more expensive.

Think this difference is worth it or is it just marginal? both 1.8 to 1.4 and D to G

yes i know manual is the way to go

[scootermcq]

I have owned both the 50mm 1.4D & 1.8D as well as the 1.8 (no letter)

My experience is very similar to the link I am attaching. I found the 1.8 very soft at 1.8 and it got usable around f3.5-4... I find my 1.4 very sharp around f1.8 to f2

Nikon nikkor AF-D 50mm f/1.4 vs AF-D 50mm f/1.8

[sk66]

For what you want to do, indoors with a crop body, I'd get the 35mm f/1.8 G. I think it's the better lens and better suited for your needs.
If you go with the 50mm I'd suggest the G versions.

[orion318]

Thank you for your input,

I'm going to test them out in person if i can but maybe the 35mm is the one for me