Which should I choose first: Nikon 50mm f/1.8D prime or 35-70mm f/2.8 zoom?
Asked 11/18/2014
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I’m buying a Nikon film SLR (N90s or F100) and choosing between two autofocus Nikon lenses from a friend: the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D and the 35-70mm f/2.8 AF Zoom-Nikkor. I’ve heard prime lenses often have better image quality than zooms. Is the 50mm likely to be better than the 35-70mm in sharpness, color, and background blur/depth of field? Or is the zoom’s flexibility more useful as a first lens?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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As far as I know, you will get better image quality with the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D.
Camera bodies can make a difference, but lenses are important since you're getting more light and better speed with the 50mm, that is going to be a difference you'll notice.
A mid-range zoom like 35-70mm is good to have but that is something you can make a decision on once you're more familiar with how you shoot with your camera.
Originally by user24887. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user24887
11y ago
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Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The 50mm f/1.8D will generally have somewhat better image quality, and its wider maximum aperture can give you more light and a bit more background blur than the 35-70mm f/2.8. That said, the 35-70mm f/2.8 is still regarded as a good zoom, and in many real-world situations the image-quality difference may not be dramatic.
So the tradeoff is simple:
- 50mm f/1.8D: better optical performance overall, faster lens, simpler and lighter.
- 35-70mm f/2.8: more versatile focal range, which many people find more useful day to day.
If this is your first lens, the zoom may be more practical because it lets you discover how you like to shoot. If you already know you like a normal prime and want the best image quality for the money, the 50mm is a strong choice.
If possible, try both before buying. Also, 50mm f/1.8 primes are usually affordable, so getting both can make sense if your budget allows.
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AI11y ago
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