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Question from Lindsay: “Question… Currently shooting on a Nikon D5100… looking to purchase a prime lense – shoot low light, and for beginner wedding work. Can’t decide between the 35mm / 40mm / 50mm Nikon lenses…. or whatever you suggest….
Nicole: 50mm
Jess: 50 mm is awesome as wedding prime.
Megan: 50mm, hands down!
Carla: 50mm is a must have for a camera bag, sometimes i wish i had a 35mm or 21mm just a bit wider than 50mm
Shannon: I have the same camera. Have the 50mm 1.8. It’s amazing! Use it for all my portraits. I also shoot concerts so it’s great for low light!! Check on b&h I got one for a great price!
Jen: I have shot on my d5100 with both a 35mm and 50mm, and I actually preferred the 35mm a lot of the time. I feel like I have to stand ridiculously far away from my subject with the 50mm but both take beautiful photos.
Sasha: I have the 5100 and love my 50mm
Hilary: As everyone has said I love my 50mm
Mello: 50mm!!
Sarah: Have both…I’m currently loving the 35mm. Its about $70 more but it has it have an internal focus motor, which is the $120 50mm 1.8f doesn’t. I find it focuses quicker, smoother and sharper than the 50mm. I love that you get a little more distance especially for shooting weddings where sometimes you can only back so far away. Remember with a crop sensor the 35mm becomes a 50+mm and the 50mm becomes a 70+mm . Only issue I have with the 35mm is that at very close range there is some slight unflattering distortion.
Pat: I have the 5100 too and am looking for the same. I am strongly considering the 40 mm macro lens. It has gotten great reviews and goes for $279 . Since I do portrait photography and also like macro I figured this would be good. The drawback is that instead of f 1.8 it is f 2.4 ( not 100% sure of the .4 but I think I have it right). Any feedback on this would be appreciated Thanks
Kim: Love my 50mm 1.4!
Tony: 50mm is good for this. 35mm will get more in, but not as good for portraits These aren’t macro though. I used 50mm for concert photos, and it was great!
Apple Blossom: 50 mm is the one to start with. The clarity and quality is wonderful. It was the first prime lens I bought and have never regretted it. Go ahead and get the 1.4 though. It’s worth the extra cash.
Lindsay: Thanks all! Love the advice!
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