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Another question!

I have the 50mm 1.8 prime lens that does not focus on my Nikon D40. However I really love using it, and am thinking of getting the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f1.8G.

Question one is will it autofocus on my D40? (I believe the answer is yes but just checking)

Question two is more practical - what do people who have primes of these two focal lengths most commonly use each length for? I'm trying to weigh up when I will use each, and whether it is worth paying £200 for an extra prime.

Many thanks!

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Nikon D40 / Nikon D5100

Visit my photograph portfolio and personal blog

18-55 VR f/3.5-5.6
55-200 f/4-5.6
50 f/1.8

Follow me on Twitter: @stevesayskanpai

Yes, the 35mm will autofocus on your D40. Any Nikon lens with AFS in the name has a built in focus motor so all of them will auto focus on a camera without the motor built in.
I don't have the 35mm but I do have a 28mm lens. I use the 28mm mostly for street shots as it gives me the width I want to capture buildings and general views. Your 35mm will give a similar aspect of view albeit a bit longer. I use my 50mm mostly for full length portraits. It's a bit "in your face" for close up shots and can make the subject uncomfortable and so unnatural. I use the 85mm for face and head and shoulder shots. The 85mm would necessitate being too far away from my subject to get them all in if I want a full body shot.

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Nikon D300 D80 D40 18-55mm 18-70mm 18-135mm 55-200mm 18-200mm 28mm 2.8f 50mm 1.8f 85mm 1.8f
Panasonic DMCFZ28 Slik Pro 700DX

I know a little about a lot, a lot about little and everything about nothing.

This is from Ken Rockwell's site:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35mm-f18.htm

On your second question. I have the 35mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.4. I love both.
Many times I go out just with one of these primes and really enjoy shooting.
If I have to be honest - although they all say 35mm on DX is like what the human eye actually see and it's best for a single prime - I find I enjoy more shooting with the 50mm on DX. That's my personal style of course and it doesn't mean it is true for anybody else. I just find myself pushed to think more creatively with the 50mm and get some nice and close angles of view.

But if you have the 200 bucks - you won't be sorry with the 35mm f1.8 - it's truly amazing small lens!

I'm really tempted to buy it now!

The main issue (and reason for buying it) is that I'm going to New York for the first time in late December, and was tempted to get it for this.

However I've decided I will only take two lenses with me - so it would be out of the 35mm 1.8, 50mm 1.8, 18-55 kit lens and 55-200 zoom.

At the moment I was leaning towards the 18-55 and the 55-200, simply because the 50mm 1.8 does feel a bit too telephoto for my every situation lens. However if I got the 35mm 1.8, would it make sense to take the 35mm 1.8 and the 55-200? Do you think I'd miss the flexibility of the 18-55 kit lens?

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Nikon D40 / Nikon D5100

Visit my photograph portfolio and personal blog

18-55 VR f/3.5-5.6
55-200 f/4-5.6
50 f/1.8

Follow me on Twitter: @stevesayskanpai

I think the 35mm alone is way too narrow for city trips. Want to catch a skyscraper? Impossible with the 35mm.

Id let your telezoom at home, Ive never really used telephoto on holidays and citytrips. The 18-55 and 35 should do the job, I guess.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I agree with Ruben123. For city shooting I wouldn't leave my wide angle at home. So I also think that 18-55 & 35mm will be just fine.
I would recommend you the Tokina 11-16mm if you can afford the money, about $665.
That lens with the 50mm will be very interesting and challenging setup.

Hello Steve,

this is an often asked question and unfortunately there is no easy answer to it. I'm currently in a similar situation going to Venice next week and having to decide which lenses to take with me. I currently trying a new 24-70mm zoom on my D300 and am quite surprised to find out that I'm able to capture tight architecture/city shots starting with 24mm on a cropped body. But 35mm on a cropped body is definitely going to be too long for capturing the city-scape. Also remember that you don't (normally) need a large aperture lens for city-scapes.
That would lead me to conclude that with your current collection of lenses I'd go for the 18-55mm kit for the city and think about getting the new AF-S 50/1.8G for people and low-light photography. But if you're good at manually focusing, just stay with your 50/1.8D.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Thanks everyone for your replies. It's definitely good to know that the 35mm is going to be too long. I will definitely take my 18-55, and will make a last minute choice between the other three (assuming I buy the 35mm 1.!

I quite like the 55-200 for 'sneaky' people shots, and detail on architecture. However it is also the bulkiest.

To complicate things further(!), would it be worth paying the extra and getting the 28mm f/2.8 instead of the 35mm f/1.8!?

_________________
Nikon D40 / Nikon D5100

Visit my photograph portfolio and personal blog

18-55 VR f/3.5-5.6
55-200 f/4-5.6
50 f/1.8

Follow me on Twitter: @stevesayskanpai

Nah! With the 18-55 you've covered the wide-side pretty good. Another prime with only f/2.8 is not going to do you much good. If you're looking for a(nother) large-aperture prime get a longer one!

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Cheers Thomas, good to have your input!

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Nikon D40 / Nikon D5100

Visit my photograph portfolio and personal blog

18-55 VR f/3.5-5.6
55-200 f/4-5.6
50 f/1.8

Follow me on Twitter: @stevesayskanpai

If you feel the itch to invest, why not think about upgrading your body?
A D90 would be a major upgrade and can AF your 50/1.8D. Perhaps you can get one of the last new copies cheap from somewhere...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

A new body would be too expensive for me at the moment. Also I'd be reticent to buy an older body - I'd rather wait, and then get a newer body in a couple of years.

_________________
Nikon D40 / Nikon D5100

Visit my photograph portfolio and personal blog

18-55 VR f/3.5-5.6
55-200 f/4-5.6
50 f/1.8

Follow me on Twitter: @stevesayskanpai

That's an equally wise decision, Steve.
Have a nice trip to NY, and bring home some good photos!
---
Btw.: I'll be probably taking the 24-70/2.8 as standard plus the 18-200 VR as backup for the few situations where I need longer or shorter FL to Venice. If I add another thing it would be the 35/1.4 for low-light work.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I absolutely love my 35 f/1.8. It's a steal at less than $150 second hand, and the f/1.8 aperture is a huge help indoors.

While in Toronto a few months back, I took there lenses with me: a 16-85mm zoom, a 35mm f/1.8 prime and a 55mm micro, only because I had some extra room in my bag. I wanted to bring my 200mm f/4 with me, but it fell and cracked its filter, causing it to get stuck onto the lens. I considered renting a telephoto lens such as a 70-200 or a 70-300, but last minute I decided against it and brought my three lenses.

I found myself using the 35mm most of the time. While it wasn't the best for shots of buildings, it did wonders indoors and in low light. For 90% of my shots it was a good enough focal length. When it wasn't wide enough, I used my 16-85, generally anywhere from 16mm to 24mm. I only used my 55mm micro once, to take photos of fish at an aquarium. I don't regret bringing the 55mm, but it was by no means as useful as the other two. I didn't need a telephoto lens at all, the only occasion where it may have been useful was at a Jays baseball game, but I couldn't justify spending $50 to rent a lens just for that one occasion.

Anyways, in summary, if I were you I'd pick up a 35mm (try to find one second hand, the money that you save could go towards a new lens, such as the excellent Tokina 11-16 for wide angle shots) and then bring your 18-55 for wider angles when necessary.

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams