If you could own only one Prime lens what size would it be ?

[goodguy]

If you could own one prime lens size to fulfill all your photographic needs what would be the size of it ?

After buying my D7000 few weeks ago I decided to buy the first Prime lens I ever owned.
Being very tight on money I knew this lens must be one to help me in all my needs.
After narrowing it down to 35mm and 50mm I went to the camera store tried both and saw the 50mm is what I need.
Very happy with my choice even though from time to time I find the 35mm would be a great help but if I can have one prime lens then I think for now my choice was the right one.

 

[Patrice]

One which would cover my sensor with a diagonal field of view of about 47 degrees. These are often considered to be the 'normal' lenses. Common focal length for 'normal' lenses are about 35mm for DX, 50mm for FX, 80mm for 6x6.

You can photograph a lot of things with a camera and a 'normal' lens. For years the 'kit' lens of most 35 mm film cameras was a lens of 45 to 55 mm or so, depending on the manufacturer. A lot of old farts like me started out with a 135 format camera and a 50 mm lens.

Another very common and well used focal length is a moderate wide angle like a 35mm on FX which would be a 24mm on DX. One of my favourite focal lengths on FX is 28mm. These are readily available second hand and are inexpensive, especially the f/2.8 manual focus variety.

 

[kathyt]

Only one? Really? I don't think I could choose, but if I really had to it would be a 50mm on a crop sensor.

 

[runnah]

I would have to say AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

 

[goodguy]

I would have to say AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

Hmmmm, but thats such a cheap and small lens LOL :lmao:

Not exactly what I was thinking when I posted this question but I would agree that its one heck of a lens :heart:

 

[thetrue]

I would have to say AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

Macro from 30ft away?

 

[gardy]

85mm 1.8g do it!!

 

[Rick58]

I wonder if the Hubble has a Nikon Mount?

I'd go with what Patrice says above^. I spent a lot of years with only a 50mm on a 35mm

 

[SCraig]

I would have to say AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

I'd have to go along with this as well. Anything else would just stay at home and never get used since I find prime lenses to confining.

 

[TheBiles]

35. The 50 can be ever so slightly narrow indoors, even on a full-frame.

Sent from my Droid DNA

 

[greybeard37 9]

On crop frame it would be a 40mm Macro

 

[MK3Brent]

Probably an 85mm tilt shift. 2.8 or so

(full frame camera here.)

 

[sandraadamson]

Well I've had a 50mm, a 35mm and an 85mm and always found myself reaching for my 35mm so I guess if I could only have one it would be my 35mm. I always find myself in tight quarters though where the 50 just won't due.

 

[table1349]

 

[Derrel]

My doctor says I need to lose weight, so I'd have to go with a "medium" lens. No more extra-large or "family-size" lenses for this kid!!! Nope...medium. With the lens cap on the side, not on top!

50/1.8.