Is there a single prime lens that genuinely works best on any Nikon camera regardless of whether its crop sensor or full frame? Im super hyped right now cause Im finally upgrading my gear for an upcoming street photography trip to Chicago next month and I need to lock down my glass. My budget is around 350 bucks max since I blew most of my cash on the body itself. Right now Ive been going back and forth between the classic 50mm f1.8 and the 35mm f1.8, leaning a bit toward the 35mm because Ill be shooting in tight alleyways and crowded downtown spots where a 50 might be too zoomed in on my DX body, but part of me worries about distortion and I keep wondering if some older AF-D lens would actually be sharper for the price even with the manual focus hassle on my newer entry-level body. Which one of these would you grab if you only had one shot to get it right before heading out of town...
Chicago is gonna be an incredible trip, but honestly ditch the 50mm idea for street stuff on a crop sensor. In my experience, you'll feel way too cramped in those downtown canyons. Go with the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f 1.8G instead. It hits that classic 50mm field of view on DX and costs way under your budget.
- Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f 1.8G: Super cheap, light, nails focus on newer bodies, but DX only.
- Nikon AF S NIKKOR 50mm f 1.8G: Razor sharp and works on full frame later, but way too tight for close quarters in the city.
- Older AF-D lenses: Cheap and metal built, but a total pain to manual focus on entry bodies without the built-in motor. Grab the 35mm and dont look back. Have an awesome time out there!
Chicago alleys demand a wider view tbh. Grab the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f 1.8G for about 200 bucks. Super sharp, fits your DX crop sensor, and leaves cash for deep dish pizza.
> My budget is around 350 bucks max since I blew most of my cash on the body itself. Before you lock anything in, what specific camera body are you actually shooting with right now? Also, are you planning to upgrade to full frame anytime soon or sticking with crop sensor for the foreseeable future? That optical compatibility detail makes a massive difference for metering and autofocus drive.