Nikon SLR Cameras

35mm or 50mm nikkor lens?

Bardia Amini
Bardia Amini

I have a Nikon D60 DX SLR (horribly old I know) and was thinking about getting either the 35mm 1.8G (DX) lens or the 50mm 1.8G (FX lens) but not sure which one? I'm definitely thinking about upgrading my camera to the D600 FX SLR soon but that would be in a couple months once I get enough money. I'm not sure if I understand the crop mode between DX and FX lenses just yet which makes the decision a bit harder. I like the range that the 35mm has on the 50mm but does that mean a 50mm on an FX camera will be equivalent to using the 35mm on a DX camera?

tatya
tatya

If you are planning to upgrade to a full frame camera, why to invest in DX lens!
You can have a look at AF Nikkor 35mm f/2D, a relatively non expensive lens, which won't auto focus on D60 but would Auto focus on D600. Or buy the other one, the 50mm, which would have the same field of view on D600 as what you would have on D60 with 35mm.
p.s what you are saying in the last two lines is true.

bluespeedbird
bluespeedbird

If you want a 'normal' lens (equates approximately to what the eye sees) on your D60 you'd need the 35mm lens… On a full frame camera a 'normal' lens is approx. 50mm.

However, if you buy a DX 35mm, although you'll be able to use the lens, an FX camera will automatically reduce the sensor area used… As the projected image from the lens is smaller to match a DX body. So on a D700 or D3 it will reduce to 5 Mp from 12.1Mp.

My advice is that if you are intending on buying a FX camera in the future, only purchase FX lenses. The 50mm f/1.8 'Nifty Fifty' is a good lens and will allow you to take very nice portraits on your D60… Once you get your FX camera it'll work well as a reportage/documentary lens and still take nice portraits. The 35mm DX will not be any use on an FX camera.

keerok
keerok

"… 50mm on an FX camera will be equivalent to using the 35mm on a DX camera?" -Yes.

http://keerok-photography.blogspot.com/2012/10/why-upgrade.html

Get the 35mm, and learn photography first using your D60. Maybe when you know exactly what you'll want you can decide better what camera to get. I'm pretty sure, you'll go for more lenses first.

Nick
Nick

I'd get the 50mm lens if you're sure you are going to move up to an FX sensor in a couple months. The 35mm is made for DX and will limit your new camera's capabilities, while the 50mm will work fine on both.