What is the best budget lens for a Nikon DX camera right now? Im torn between the 35mm f/1.8G and the 50mm f/1.8G for my D5600. I have a strict $150 budget for an upcoming trip to Chicago next month and mostly want to do street photography. Which one should I grab?
TL;DR: Buy the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G. The 50mm is way too tight for street shooting on a D5600. I have owned both of these for years. Honestly, the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G is a disappointment on DX sensors. It behaves like a 75mm, which is way too narrow for Chicago streets. I constantly had issues with framing and backing into walls trying to get shots. The 35mm is the better choice, but it is not as good as expected. The chromatic aberration is pretty bad in high-contrast scenes, and the build quality feels like cheap plastic. Still, for a 150 dollar budget, it is your only real option. It gives you a normal 52mm equivalent view which works for street. Go with the 35mm, just watch out for color fringing.
Unfortunately, those primes have pretty bad chromatic aberration wide open. If you want flexibility on a budget, look at these used alternatives:
- Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR
- Pros: Silent stepper motor, sharp MTF curves. Cons: Slow variable aperture.
- Yongnuo YN35mm F2 Lens for Nikon
- Pros: Dirt cheap. Cons: Disappointing corner resolution. Feel free to ask if you need help analyzing specs!
To add to the point above: if you want to play it safe for your trip, prime lenses can sometimes feel a bit restrictive if you are still figuring out your style. Since you are on a strict budget, you might want to look at a zoom lens instead. A really safe and reliable option is the Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR. You can easily find these used in excellent condition for around $80 online. It is a very decent option because the image stabilization (VR) helps keep your shots sharp, which is great if your hands get shaky or if you are shooting on the move. The main downside is that it is not great in low light compared to the f/1.8 primes. But for daytime street shooting in Chicago, having the flexibility to go wide at 18mm is huge when you want to capture the architecture. With a 35mm or 50mm, you will constantly be backing up into traffic trying to fit buildings in the frame. Plus, saving $70 off your budget means more money for deep dish pizza. It is just a safer bet for a first trip.
