Ive been shooting on my D7500 for years mostly sticking to the kit lens for hiking but I hit a wall recently. A buddy asked me to shoot his gig at a tiny bar in Chicago next month and my current glass is way too slow for that lighting.
I keep looking at the 35mm f/1.8G since its the DX gold standard but then I see the 50mm prices and get tempted. My concern is the 50mm might be too tight for a cramped stage and I dont want to be backing into the wall. Trying to stay under $200 for this. What do you guys think is the best bang for your buck prime for low light DX?
Man, if you're hitting a dive bar in Chicago, you 100% need to go with the 35mm! I've been in those cramped spots before and trust me, backing into a sticky wall or a drunk patron just to get a shot is the worst... The 50mm is fantastic glass but on your D7500 its basically a portrait lens and youll be way too zoomed in. Heres why the 35mm is the safest bet:
- It gives you a natural field of view that isnt too tight or too wide.
- That f/1.8 aperture is a total lifesaver for those dark venues.
- You can find them used for like $120 all day long which is an absolute steal! Get the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G and dont look back. It honestly makes the kit lens feel like a toy once you see those low light results! If you really want that extra reach later, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G is amazing too, but start with the 35mm for the gig.
