Lens Decision for Beginners.

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I am looking for a new lens that i can use in low light settings without messing with the ugly flash nikon put on my D40x,</p>

<p>I am looking at these two different lenses,<br>

I am set on the type of lens they both are just need some insight of pro's and con's</p>

<p>http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541533725.htm#ReviewHeader<br>

This link above is for a 35 mm AF-S DX Nikkor f/1.8 G</p>

<p>http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541533329.htm<br>

This link above is for a 50 mm f/1.8D Nikkor AF Lens</p>

<p>I realize one Auto-focuses and the other doesnt, but other than that are there any downfalls to any of these lenses?<br>

How much of a difference is there between 50 and 35 mm?<br>

Also what do the letters after the Aperture number stand for?</p>

<p>Any feedback would be welcomed!, I hope to go to Wolf Camera tomorrow and pick up one of these lenses :]</p>

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<p>This will tell all.........</p>

<p>http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests</p>

<p>regards, Bob</p>

<p>You have the kit lens? Just set it to 35 and 50mm and see yourself.</p>

<p>35/1.8 is much more usable for general shooting and not being able to af with the 50mm is rather painful experience with D40X. Motored Nikon and Sigma 50/1.4 go for ~$400 (you could sell D40X and just about upgrade to D80 + 50/1.8 for that money).</p>

<p>The 35 is WAY more useful than the 50. I have both...</p>

<p>Anybody wanna buy the 50? I think I'm going to sell it in the classifieds. I NEVER use it now.</p>

<p>Blake.... As Kari said, set your kit lens to 35 and 50 to see how the two lenses frame. My vote goes to the 35/1.8G for it's autofocusing abilities. The 50mm, while a great lens, is an odd short tele length on DX cameras like your D40x.</p>

<p>The G in the 35mm's name indicates the lens has no aperture ring. Your kit lens is a G lens. The first few generations of Nikon autofocus lenses had aperture rings so they were backwards-compatible with older Nikon cameras. This is a non issue for you, in a nutshell.</p>

<p>The D in the 50's name indicates it has the "D" distance metering chip in it. It feeds focusing distance info to the exposure meter (in some modes), so theorhetically, it results in better exposures. In real world use, you'll probably see no difference between a D lens and a plain AF "non-D" lens. All G lenses are new enough to also have a "D chip", even though it's not in the name.</p>

<p>An easy answer: I would go for the AFS 35 which will AF on your camera. Also on a a DX camera I find my 35 more useful than my 50. The 50 would be very good for portraits if you are into that. Then as Kari just told you, if you have the kit lens try it at 35 and 50 and see for yourself which you like better. good luck! </p>

<p>If some of your subjects are not stationary, the AF really helps. A lot. </p>

<p>Here are some of the pros and cons of each lenses: (I own both)</p>

<p>The 35 is sharper wide open (it does feature a hybrid aspherical element which the 50 lacks). It has better bokeh; and produces better color. It's a G type lens with a rear rubber seal, which's a nice touch. Its distortion is more pronounced than one would expect from a normal prime. It FL makes it more usable as a general/all purpose prime.</p>

<p>The 50 is longer, which makes it better for portraits. It has an aperture ring, which's nice if you ever end up using it on an old-school camera. It essentially has no distortion. It's rather soft wide open; it has busy/harsher bokeh. The aperture ring is fragile and sometimes "acts up" when you want to take a shot. Its mount is not sealed, and dust and moisture do get in. </p>

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<p>Apart from Shuo above I don't think that anyone actually pointed out that the 50 mm lens is also usable on a Nikon 35 mm film camera and on a Nikon FX format digital camera. The DX on the 35 mm lens means it is only usable on a DX format digital camera like yours. Apart from that, virtually all the advantages are with the 35 mm and I'd go with that if I were you.</p>

<p>The 35/1.8, much, much more usable for DX. I love mine on a D90. If you hate the flash from your D40, you might want to look at the inexpensive SB-400 and bounce it.</p>

<p>Between those two and used with D40X, my vote goes to 35/1.8 too.</p>

<p> For general use, I would also vote for the 35/1.8.</p>

<p>The 35mm would be a more usable focal length for me. Manual focus using the D40x viewfinder will not be easy or reliable IMHO. I use older AIS lenses with my D200 and D700 fairly well with the larger viewfinder. I suggest you determine what focal length is most important to you and your needs. A fast lenses of the wrong focal length can become a paper weight.</p>

<p>Get the 35mm f1.8. You won't regret!</p>

<p>even if you end up getting the D90 in the future, your best bet will still be the 35mm. so finish that coffee and go to wolf :-)</p>

<p>The 35mm. Great lens, particularly with the small bodies. The 50/1.8 is also a great lens but not having AF, with the small pentamirror viewfinder, is not much fun.</p>

<p>Let's try to give an original answer...uhm....no.... 35 f/1.8 vote once more. I do not care much for the 50mm on my DX camera. The 75mm is just too short and just too long. It's my least used lens (I also don't like it as a portrait lens at all - too short and mediocre bokeh).</p>

<p>The 50mm was very useful on 35mm SLR's but not as useful on APS-C bodies. The 35mm on the APS-C body is similar to the 50mm on a 35mm SLR or full frame DSLR. So I'd go for the 35mm f/1.8.</p>

<p>The 50mm is a historical lens. It does on the 35mm film cameras what the new 35mm lens is designed to do on a D40x or similar digital. Get the right lens for your camera and use the 35mm f/1.8G.</p>

<p>One more vote for the 35 1.8.</p>

<p>Thanks to all those who gave thier input!<br>

I went to Wolf Camera and bought the 35 MM</p>

<p>After the first click i fell in love<br>

Thank you!</p>