Im looking for a lens for indoor low light photography mostly. Currently, I'm looking at Nikkor 35mm 1.8G AF-S DX and the Nikor 50mm 1.8d. What would be a better lens for the above mentioned situations. It's going to be general photography of people, most likely from the waist up. I heard from reading that the short focal length of the 35mm would be easier to have the focus not blurred. Advice? Thanks.

edit: also my camera doesn't have auto focus on the 50mm but the 35mm would so I guess one more point but these things I can over look if the pictures will come out better on the 50mm over the 35mm.

[jc_lbc]

I don't know much about image quality of the new 35mm but the lack of auto focus is probably a deal breaker. The 50/1.8 is a killer lens for peanuts but 35mm is more versatile focal length. I use my older AF 35/2 D more then any other lens in my bag.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by my92

Im looking for a lens for indoor low light photography mostly. Currently, I'm looking at Nikkor 35mm 1.8G AF-S DX and the Nikor 50mm 1.8d. What would be a better lens for the above mentioned situations. It's going to be general photography of people, most likely from the waist up. I heard from reading that the short focal length of the 35mm would be easier to have the focus not blurred. Advice? Thanks.

edit: also my camera doesn't have auto focus on the 50mm but the 35mm would so I guess one more point but these things I can over look if the pictures will come out better on the 50mm over the 35mm.

Given that you don't get autofocus on the older 50mm f/1.8D lens, I assume you are using one of the following - D40/D60/D3000/D5000 ?

These all need Nikon AF-S lenses as the camera bodies don't have an in-built focussing motor. Therefore you have only two real choices if you want to keep autofocus - the 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX, or the 50mm f/1.4G AF-S

In terms of low light, the 50mm f/1.4 will be better in that it gives you an extra stop of aperture to play with. However, your camera body is a DX body so there is a magnification of 1.5x the focal length - ie. the 50mm becomes a 75mm on a regular full-frame camera.

This focal length may be too narrow for your use indoors if you will be taking group shots of people. You'll have to stand further away from your subject to get the proper framing. You will probably be better off with the 35mm lens instead - it's a bit cheaper too, but will probably be more useable for the type of photography you are doing.

Have a look here for a review of the 35mm f/1.8 DX lens - http://www.bythom.com/Nikkor-35mm-DX-AFS-lensreview.htm

Thanks alot! After reading I guess I will be going with the 35mm just because it's more versatile and I guess having that AF-S is a huge bonus.

[OC Guy]

I prefer the 35mm focal length on a crop also.

[- Paul -]

I have the 35mm f/1.8G - It's a great lens for indoor/low light/portrait or just extreme dof shots. Because its on my d5000 - its the same as as a 50mm in 35mm "speak"

[remmib]

I have the 50mm f/1.4 on a Canon 7D (1.6 crop), and I'd like to have the 35mm for indoor shots.

[TL]

I have the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G and 50mm f/1.4G. I find that the 50mm is slightly faster and better in low light but the 35mm is easier to compose shots on my D90.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

I have the Nikon 50/1.8G and its superb as a portrait lens. 50mm is spot on for head shots, it cost nothing and weighs less.

I love my nifty 50!