This 35mm lens or the 50mm lens for all purpose general shooting ?
481691
This is for a Sony camera with APS-C size senor ... ie NEX Series and others. The crop factor is 1.5. Therefore, while it is 35mm in focal length, the view through the lens is equivalent to 52.5mm (35 x 1.5 = 52.5) lens of a full frame DSLR.
481692
Like Ali said, the crop factor makes the 35mm more like a traditional 50mm lens. The 35mm is by far a better everyday shooting lens compared to the 50mm. I have both and the 35mm stays on the camera 85% of the time.
709669
The 35mm gives a "normal" view on a DX camera while the 50mm gives a "normal" view on an FX camera. Both of these are great for portraits and will definitely be a step up. The 35mm gives a slightly wider angle. If looking to upgrade to a full frame FX camera, get the Nikon 50mm FX lens, but otherwise the 35mm DX lens is the way to go.
282260
I use the 28mm for more of a wide angle shot. I would recommend the 50 for family portraits. They both have a good bokeh effect but I found the 50mm was sharper
173418
Hi, I was faced with the same dilemma last year. I chose 14-45. It is a sharp lens with good auto focus and stabilization. I use it mainly as a travel lens and photograph historical monuments.Prakash
1135873
We carried both on our European honeymoon. The 50 mm f/1.8 lens is GREAT for portraits when you want to blur the background, but it is not good for landscapes or where you need to stand pretty close to the subject but want a normal field of view. We found that it was hard to just carry the 50 mm lens without having the 18-55 lens in back-up, but the pictures with the 50 mm lens are our favorites. If you really wanted to just carry one lens, you could probably get by with the 50 mm lens plus a camera phone.
382375
Hi Vanessa, For amazing bokeh / background defocus, we would recommend the 50mm. -Anthony
2022545
It is good for your wide establishing shots or elements that reveal atmosphere and/or ambience. It's a wide lens. 50 mm is best for medium shots and/or close ups because wides make people's faces distort, well, wides pretty much distort any image around the edges. It's a great lens, I have had mine for 4 years and sold it for nearly retail price. Glass is the only thing that holds its value in the video/photog world
1000372
I never used the DA 35mm, f2.4 so I cannot make comparison between the two. I bought myself a DA 50mm f1.8 three month ago for shooting my girlfriend. At the beginning you will find it hard to focus on your target. However, when you get familiar with this len, you can shoot very beautiful picture. My girlfriend love the pictures I took for her. Since it has a relatively large aperture, a slightly move of your camera or your target after focusing will get you unfocused picture. It does not matter if you have a good control on this lens.
1922080
I love my 35 but my 50mm 1.4 was what I started with and I still love it.:)
1579847
I have both and the 85mm has a much better build quality, longer focal length, and more robust colors and image quality is significantly better. I rarely use my 50mm anymore. I keep it because of its low price and the resale value isn't worth it.
709667
Hi!I did some shots with both lenses to compare, and I noticed that the 50mm has more beautiful background with a better "bokeh", but in a crop sensor camera like D3000, the angle of view is very narrow. The 35mm also has a great background too, with nice "bokeh", just a little bit less then the 50mm, but the 35mm as more angle of view, thus you eventually don't need to stay too far from the subject to take a full body shot. I think both of them are great, image quality and sharpness. I think that if you don't have none of them, try to start with the traditional 50mm, then go for the 35mm. Or buy both of them. It's your choice!Hope I made myself clear.Higor Hi!I did some shots with both lenses to compare, and I noticed that the 50mm has more beautiful background with a better "bokeh", but in a crop sensor camera like D3000, the angle of view is very narrow. The 35mm also has a great background too, with nice "bokeh", just a little bit less then the 50mm, but the 35mm as more angle of view, thus you eventually don't need to stay too far from the subject to take a full body shot. I think both of them are great, image quality and sharpness. I think that if you don't have none of them, try to start with the traditional... » Read More Hi!I did some shots with both lenses to compare, and I noticed that the 50mm has more beautiful background with a better "bokeh", but in a crop sensor camera like D3000, the angle of view is very narrow. The 35mm also has a great background too, with nice "bokeh", just a little bit less then the 50mm, but the 35mm as more angle of view, thus you eventually don't need to stay too far from the subject to take a full body shot. I think both of them are great, image quality and sharpness. I think that if you don't have none of them, try to start with the traditional 50mm, then go for the 35mm. Or buy both of them. It's your choice!Hope I made myself clear.Higor « Show Less
101688
If you're looking for good quality and use a canon the 50mm f1.8 is a great and cheap lens. If you're looking for a macro lens I use the canon macro lens EF.S 60mm. I liked it better then the sigma macro lens.
1838718
M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for... » Read More M. Clouse, I have both the 35mm L lens and the 50mm non-L lens. Like you, I love the 50mm lens but it is not sharp wide open. It sharpens up pretty well in the center by f/2.8, but the corners are soft even at f/5.6. The 35mm L lens is not in the same league. It is almost 4 times as expensive, built like a tank, has a completely different lens formula, ring USM focusing system rather than the old design in the 50mm, and is sharp at f/1.4 even out to the edge of the field. Like the 50mm, it gets a little sharper stopped down, but it is so sharp at f/1.4, there is not much room for improvement. You will not be disappointed with the 35mm L. It is a very fine lens optically and mechanically. « Show Less
382376
35mm f1.8 is better for multipurpose and I use it all the times now and no complaint at all
2072502
One thing I would add is that for most DSLRs, 50mm might not be the best first-pick lens.One of the reasons the 50mm was the standard lens for so long is because on regular film (or a full-frame digital sensor) it is thought to best mimic the perspective you get from the naked eye. If you don't have a full frame sensor (most DSLRs don't), you're better off going with the 35mm f/2, as that lens comes closest on an APS-C camera to the focal length that the 50mm gives you on film.
315158
I bought the 35mm because i need to take pics closer than 50mm. But if you think you will have space between the camera and the object, buy the 50mm. The DA 50mm is better (f1.8) and cheaper because the 50mm lens are simpler than the rest lens. To take a portrait of 4 people (middle plane) you may need at least 3 metros with 35mm (relative close). By the way, if you want to take pics in sports, i think you may need more range, at least 50mm - 200 mm.I so happy with my DA 35mm, is a nice lens...Maybe this can help: http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-L-35mm-F2.4-AL.htmlhttp://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/smc-pentax-da-50mm-f1.8.htmlBye.. I bought the 35mm because i need to take pics closer than 50mm. But if you think you will have space between the camera and the object, buy the 50mm. The DA 50mm is better (f1.8) and cheaper because the 50mm lens are simpler than the rest lens. To take a portrait of 4 people (middle plane) you may need at least 3 metros with 35mm (relative close). By the way, if you want to take pics in sports, i think you may need more range, at least 50mm - 200 mm.I so happy with my DA 35mm, is a nice lens...Maybe this can help:... » Read More I bought the 35mm because i need to take pics closer than 50mm. But if you think you will have space between the camera and the object, buy the 50mm. The DA 50mm is better (f1.8) and cheaper because the 50mm lens are simpler than the rest lens. To take a portrait of 4 people (middle plane) you may need at least 3 metros with 35mm (relative close). By the way, if you want to take pics in sports, i think you may need more range, at least 50mm - 200 mm.I so happy with my DA 35mm, is a nice lens...Maybe this can help: http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/SMC-Pentax-DA-L-35mm-F2.4-AL.htmlhttp://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/smc-pentax-da-50mm-f1.8.htmlBye.. « Show Less
709663
Well, there really isn't a BIG difference. I prefer the 35mm for the wider field of view. It's also less expensive than the 50mm. With the cropped sensor on your D3000 the 35mm will perform a lot like the 50mm would on a full frame camera. Speaking of which, if you plan to move to a full frame camera the 35mm likely wont be going with you as it's a DX only lens. The 50mm is a DX/FX lens so you can keep using it on full frame cameras.I think in general for your camera a 35mm would serve you better, but you wouldn't go wrong with the 50mm either. Try a rental shop or borrowlenses.com. Grab both lenses for a weekend trip and see which you use more. Shouldn't cost much for a three day rental. Well, there really isn't a BIG difference. I prefer the 35mm for the wider field of view. It's also less expensive than the 50mm. With the cropped sensor on your D3000 the 35mm will perform a lot like the 50mm would on a full frame camera. Speaking of which, if you plan to move to a full frame camera the 35mm likely wont be going with you as it's a DX only lens. The 50mm is a DX/FX lens so you can keep using it on full frame cameras.I think in general for your camera a 35mm would serve you better, but you wouldn't go wrong with the 50mm either. Try a rental shop or... » Read More Well, there really isn't a BIG difference. I prefer the 35mm for the wider field of view. It's also less expensive than the 50mm. With the cropped sensor on your D3000 the 35mm will perform a lot like the 50mm would on a full frame camera. Speaking of which, if you plan to move to a full frame camera the 35mm likely wont be going with you as it's a DX only lens. The 50mm is a DX/FX lens so you can keep using it on full frame cameras.I think in general for your camera a 35mm would serve you better, but you wouldn't go wrong with the 50mm either. Try a rental shop or borrowlenses.com. Grab both lenses for a weekend trip and see which you use more. Shouldn't cost much for a three day rental. « Show Less