so i just got my first real camera its a nikon d3500 i think and i really want to try taking pictures of people and buildings downtown but the big lens it came with feels kinda bulky and people look at me funny when i point it at them. i heard i need a prime lens which i guess means it doesnt zoom? sorry if that sounds stupid lol i am still learning. im heading to chicago in about three weeks and i really want to get some good shots while im there.
- budget is strictly under 300 bucks
- needs to be small so i dont stand out too much
- good for low light because i like the vibe of the city at night
i see people talking about 35mm and 50mm but i have no clue what the difference really feels like when you are actually out there. which one is better for a beginner like me...
I'm really happy with the technical specs on the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G for a DX body like yours. Since the D3500 has a 1.5x crop factor, a 50mm lens would actually behave like a 75mm, which is way too tight for narrow city streets or big buildings. This 35mm works well because it hits that 52.5mm effective focal length, which is basically the gold standard for street photography. No complaints here, it handles low light beautifully with that wide f/1.8 aperture. Quick tip... keep your shutter speed around 1/125 or higher when you're shooting moving people at night to avoid motion blur. This lens is super light and wont make you stand out like a tourist. Tbh it is easily the best value for money under 300.
