Quick Question

[MTVision]

I have a Nikon D5100 which is a "cropped" body right? I am planning on buying a prime lens tomorrow but am a little confused. 50mm is a great lens because it is how our eyes see (no distortion). Is the 50mm really going to be 50mm on my camera? I'm not sure if I'm right but I read somewhere that the 50mm will really be 72mm on a cropped body - but I might be wrong.

Which is a better prime lens for a beginner; the 50mm f/1.8 or the 35mm f/1.8? I know you all have probably heard this question a million times so I'm sorry.

 

[tirediron]

Your crop-sensor camera has a 1.5x focal length "conversion", so your 50mm will give you the equivalent field of view of a 75mm lens on a full-frame camera. Likewise your 35mm will give a FoV of a 52mm lens on a full-frame body. The 50mm lens is/was considered a 'normal' lens on a full-frame body because it provided a similar viewpoint to the human eye. On a crop-body, the 35mm prime will provide a similar view. There really is no 'better' lens; it's all about what you want, and what works for you. If you're an old film shooter and want a similar view to your old 50mm, than go for the 35mm. If you want a slight telephoto effect, go for the 50.

 

[Big Mike]

50mm is always 50mm...that won't change if you put it on a 'crop body' camera.

What does change, is the field of view. On your camera, the FOV will be similar to a 75mm lens on a 35mm film camera. So if you are used to using a film camera, you might be surprised. But if you aren't used to using a 35mm camera...then it won't matter one little bit. The 'crop factor' is just a comparison back to the old standard (35mm film).

 

[KmH]

The APS-C sized image sensor (DX, or a crop sensor) in your camera is the same shape as a frame of 135 film (35 mm), but it is smaller. http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/digital-camera-sensor-size.htm

APS-C - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The main reason it is smaller is that by being smaller it cost less to make than a full size image sensor (FX).

All Nikon DSLRs had APS-C size image sensors until 23 August 2007 when the D3 was launched.

 

[MTVision]

Is the 35mm f/1.8 af-s as good as the 50mm f/1.8g af-s. The store I'm going to doesn't carry the 50mm that will autofocus on my d5100. I'm just looking for a decent prime

 

[KmH]

The AF-S 50 mm f/1.8 G is a new lens.

I had the AF-S 35 mm f/1.8G and sold it, because of it's lateral chromatic aberration (CA). Lateral CA can not be 'fixed' post process. Nikon AF-S 35mm F1.8G DX Lens Review: 4. Conclusion & samples: Digital Photography Review

The new AF-S 50 mm f/1.8G is in the same price range as the AF-S 35 mm f/1.8G, so it will likely have the same issue.

 

[chaosrealm93]

Is the 35mm f/1.8 af-s as good as the 50mm f/1.8g af-s. The store I'm going to doesn't carry the 50mm that will autofocus on my d5100. I'm just looking for a decent prime

they're different lenses. their build quality is pretty similar, but i guess it all comes down to which focal length you like better with the crop factor

 

[MTVision]

Never bought a lens the other day. Is the 50mm f/1.4g a better lens than the cheaper 50mm? Does it too have the lateral chromatic aberration? Are prime lenses worth the money?

 

[KmH]

nikon 50 mm f/1.4 reviews - Bing

What do all the reviews of that lens say?

I shoot portraits with a $6000 Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2.0 G ED VR II Telephoto Lens 2188 B&H so yes, I think prime lenses are worth the money, though I bought my 200 f/2 used.

I also have primes of 50 mm, 85 mm, and 105 mm.

 

[RichardsTPF]

Keith, You are really a prime lover.
I just bought a 35mm f1.8. I will compare it with my 18-200mm. Know there will be a quality difference. Want to see how big it gonna be.
After play at 35mm&50mm with my 18-200mm for couple days, I pickup 35mm instead of 50mm.

 

[MTVision]

I read a million reviews of the 3 prime lenses. Some were contradictory and I wanted to hear what someone had to say about their prime lenses. I ended up with the 50mm af-s f/1.4 which has some issues like distortion but compared to my kit lenses - it's amazing! I'm extremely happy with it! Thank you to everyone who gave me advice and suggestions!

 

[MTVision]

I also picked up some books I've heard good things about on here. Understanding exposure (my library had it but it went missing a year ago), another book by Bryan peterson about seeing creatively, Scott kelbys Photoshop cs5 and the first volume of his digital photography series!

 

[MTVision]

Bump
for whidds to read

 

[whidds]

thank you... still really struggling to know the difference between the af-s 35mm and af-s 50mm
also.. why did you go with the more expensive f1.4 50mm?
thank you for your help

 

[lenejetva]

more expensive will have more good quality of result..