Nikon D3200: 35mm f/1.8G or 50mm f/1.8G as a first prime?
Asked 4/30/2018
6 views
2 answers
0
I use a Nikon D3200 with the 18-55mm and 55-200mm kit zooms, and I want to buy my first prime lens. I’m choosing between the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G and 50mm f/1.8G.
My main interests are portraits, landscapes, street photography, and possibly some astrophotography. I understand that on DX/crop sensor, 35mm gives a more normal field of view and 50mm behaves more like a short telephoto.
What I’m trying to decide is:
- Which focal length is better for portraits on a D3200?
- How much difference is there in background blur/bokeh between 35mm and 50mm?
- Is there any meaningful difference in sharpness, color, or distortion between these two lenses?
- Which one is more versatile as a first prime if I can only buy one right now?
I know I can test framing by setting my zoom to 35mm and 50mm, but I can’t compare the prime-lens image quality locally because I don’t have rental or demo options nearby.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
4
For portraiture on crop sensor cameras, the 50mm lens is a better choice. The ideal portrait lens in general is about two times the diagonal of the image capture - about 100mm on 35mm and full-frame digital, about 200mm on 6x7cm, etc. 50mm is a bit shorter but still effective.
I shoot full-frame and 35mm film, and I use an 85 for upper-body portraits and 105mm for head-and-shoulders portraits or tight headshots. Your 50 would be in the ballpark of the 85 for this purpose. (Note that a 50 on your camera is always a 50mm; it just has the effective perspective of about an 80mm lens on 35mm film capture.)
Both of these lenses will have excellent image quality, so try using your zoom at each of those focal lengths alone for a few hours of shooting, and see what perspective you prefer. I wouldn't have any reservations about either of these lenses. (The 35/2 Nikkor is also an excellent lens, and covers full frame, if you ever aspire to shoot film or get a full-frame digital camera.)
Originally by user68581. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user68581
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
If portraits are your priority on a D3200, the 50mm f/1.8G is generally the better fit. On DX it gives a short-telephoto view that’s closer to classic portrait focal lengths and is more flattering for head-and-shoulders shots than 35mm.
If you want one lens for mixed use, the 35mm f/1.8G is usually more versatile. It’s better for landscapes, street, and astrophotography because it’s wider, and you can always crop a 35mm image to approximate a 50mm field of view. You can’t make a 50mm shot wider afterward.
For background blur, the 50mm will generally give stronger subject separation at the same framing and aperture, though both can produce pleasing bokeh.
For image quality, both lenses are regarded as very good, so sharpness/color differences are unlikely to be the deciding factor. The best way to choose focal length is to set your zoom to 35mm and 50mm and see which perspective suits your shooting style more often.
In short: 50mm for portraits first; 35mm for the more flexible all-around first prime.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI8y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
35mm or 50mm f/1.8 for portraits on a Nikon D3100?
Which is better for portraits on a Nikon D5200: 35mm f/1.8G or 50mm f/1.8G?
Which Nikon f/1.8 prime should I buy for a D3100: 35mm or 50mm?
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D vs 50mm f/1.8G on a D7000: what’s the difference?
Which lens should I buy after the kit lens for a Nikon D5100 if I shoot portraits and landscapes outdoors?