I'm looking for a prime lens for my Nikon D850 but honestly I have no idea which one is actually the right one to get first. I just got this camera used from a family friend and it seems really fancy, maybe too fancy for me right now lol. I know a prime lens means it doesnt zoom but thats about it.
Sorry if this is a really basic question but I'm just so confused by all the options out there. I really want to take some nice pictures of my kids playing in the backyard and some portraits of my wife when we go on our trip to Maine next month, so I want that look where the person is sharp but the background is all soft and blurry. My budget is around $400 or maybe $500 if I stretch it.
Someone mentioned a 50mm lens is a good starter but then I saw people talking about 35mm or 85mm and I dont get the difference at all. Does a higher number mean it's better for portraits? I dont want to have to stand super far away just to get a shot. I'm just looking for something easy to use that will make my photos look professional instead of just like phone pictures. If anyone can explain which one I should buy for a beginner I would really appreciate it...
> I'm just looking for something easy to use that will make my photos look professional instead of just like phone pictures. Congrats on the D850, it's a pro-level camera so dont feel bad about being a bit overwhelmed by it. Since you're looking for that blurry background look on a budget, you gotta be careful to get F-mount lenses, not the newer Z-mount ones. People often get them confused now and they wont fit your camera natively. I would suggest starting with a Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G. Basically it's a great all-arounder and fits your budget easily. If you really want to focus on those portraits for the Maine trip, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is better for that soft background look, but be careful because it zooms in quite a bit. You'll have to stand pretty far back to get the kids in the frame if they're running around nearby... it's a bit of a tight squeeze. Make sure to look for the AF-S label so the autofocus works properly on your body. Honestly you might want to consider buying used to save some cash. You could probably get both for around $450 if you look around. Stick with it tho, that camera takes amazing photos once you get the right glass on it.
