I'm not new to photography in general (I've beens shooting a 35mm Canon film camera for the past 4 years), but I'm getting into digital photography within the next month or so.

I've already decided on getting a D5100 body.
Now I'm having to make a choice of lenses. I'm not interested in the kit lens, and I dont want anything with zoom; I'd really like a fixed-focal length lens.
I already have access to a 50mm 1.8D (just bought it for my girlfriend), but i want something that I can keep on the body at all times.

I'm stuck between the 40mm 2.8G Micro-Nikkor ($280) and the 35mm 1.8G Nikkor ($200) lenses.

I've seen tons of amazing photos taken with the 35mm, but haven't seen much of the 40mm. Does anybody have any experience with this lens?

I guess I'm just looking for some advice. If you had the choice, which would you choose?

Thanks for looking and happy holidays!

 

35mm FTMFW! It's twice as fast and the focal length is perfect. Unless u plan to shoot a lot of macro even then 40mm macro is weak!

 

on my canon I only have 3 lenses 18-55 kit, 50mm f1.8 and 35mm f2, I rarely use my kit unless i need a wide angle picture, most of the time i had my 50mm but since i just got the 35mm last night that will most likely be on my camera from now on. I really like primes better though. I say get the 35mm F1.8

 

Looks like I made a good choice for my starter lens to be a 35mm 1.8F.

 

As a heavy heavy macro shooter (I took over 10,000 macro images this year alone) I can say that the 40mm 2.8G macro is only good for studio, dead things, or still life a.k.a. flowers and rocks. I have the 35mm 1.8G and it's tack sharp at 2.8, and usable sharp at 1.8 so I suggest everyone with a crop sensor to snag one. $ to $ it's one of the best lenses out there.

 

Thanks for the replies, everybody.

I've been following NikonRumors recently, and I've read that an 85mm 1.8G is likely to be announced at a Nikon press conference on January 6th. Think I should wait to buy the 35mm 1.8G until there is confirmation/details/pricing?

 

u should stick with the 35mm. the 85mm is a specialty lens mostly used for portraits. if u only have a body and no kit lens you will be limited on what u can shoot and where. especially on a crop body that 85 will be too tight for pretty much anything indoors. on the other hand the 35mm is way more useful.