Which prime lens

[Bar]

My daughter has recently started a photography course at school and Ive given her my old Nikon D3200 which comes with the standard 18-55mm lens as well as an additional 70-200mm (I think) lens.

I was thinking about getting her a prime lens to use in addition to the ones I already had, but the question is which one? Im happy picking one up second hand but I dont know what would be more flexible for her as a starter between a 35mm prime or a 50mm prime - any thoughts and advice would be appreciated.

 

[dave28]

35mm on an APS-C body

its close to the 50mm on a full frame which is a really good general purpose focal length

many people actually like 23mm on APS-C, like the Fuji X100 fixed focal length cameras

 

[Scuzi]

Depends on what she shoots but to give you an idea, I agree with a point someone on here made recently. With full frame, I use the 35mm focal length more often than 50mm, but I seem to take more interesting pictures with 50mm. Don’t ask me why I don’t use 50mm more often, I guess it’s just misplaced anxiety about not fitting enough interesting stuff into the frame! I tend to use a 40-45mm if available on the camera.

On my APS-C camera, my favourite focal length is 28mm (42mm FF equivalent).

On my 6x7 medium format camera, my favourite focal length is 90mm (45mm FF equivalent).

I don’t know if that’s of any help, but for a photography course where your daughter will want to learn good habits, I’d err more towards the 50mm. It’ll demand more thought is put into the framing of the subject. With wider focal lengths it’s too easy to snap with the “I’ll crop it in post” mindset, which won’t help with the course.

 

[Bar]

Thanks both - its a Higher Photography course (so akin to A-levels in England) and she will need to produce a portfolio of 12 pictures which will account for 70% of her final grade. Shes done higher Art so understands a lot of "artistic" concepts but until she decides on what type of photography she wants to use for her portfolio I wanted to give her flexibility. From my own research I see primes are always recommended but I couldnt make my mind up on which one would be better of the two.

 

[a1ex2001]

35mm on an APS-C body

its close to the 50mm on a full frame which is a really good general purpose focal length

many people actually like 23mm on APS-C, like the Fuji X100 fixed focal length cameras

I'd second this advice 35mm equivalent v's 50mm equivalent is a personal thing I've always felt more at home with 35mm and both my Canon and Fuji cameras have one mounted 90% of the time.

 

[LiE]

23mm on APSC is extremely versatile.

 

[Drollic]

23/35 leaning more towards environment but works for people, 28/42 or anything similar leans more towards people but still good for environment and 33/50 is more people.

Prime only:

1 lens - 23/35
2 lenses - 16/24 or 18/27 + 33/50 or 56/85
3 lenses - 13/20 or 16/24 or 18/27 + 27/41(28/42) + 56/85

 

[alfalavala]

The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 is a great lens. Fairly cheap to pick up, don't let the plastic casing fool you. I used that lens for years as my only one on a D40, then D7000. It's a good focal length, and the fast aperture is fun to learn with and take some indoor shots.