Is the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 a good lens?

I have a 50mm f/1.8 on my D5100, but I feel like it's just a little bit too "zoomed in," and I was thinking about selling it and using the money for a 35mm f/1.8. Minus the focal length of the two, is there any significant difference between both lenses, and is it worth it to sell my 50mm for the 35mm? Do the two lenses offer similar sharpness, or is one better than the other?

The 50 AF-S and AF have metal lens mounts and the 35 is all plastic. Do you also have an 18-55 or 18-105? If so, tape it to 35mm and see how that focal length works for you.http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/nikon_35_1p8g_n15/

I have both the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 AF and the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S. Both have sturdy metal mounts, so I'm not sure where the other poster got his information.

I share your opinion about the differences in view between the two lenses. But the 50mm, on a crop sensor DX Nikon body gives you an effective 75mm point of view, excellent for portraits. The 30mm gives you a wider view, but it's your individual preference. Frankly, I'd keep both, as you never can tell when the situation calls for the focal length that's not in your camera bag.

Example. I shoot sports and use the 35mm f/1.8 for NBA basketball games, shot from directly beneath the basket. This wider view gives me great shots of the whole play. The 35mm is also great for museums and other places where flash is forbidden.

When I shoot portraits, as I do for a non-profit, the 50mm is my lens of choice. I'd still pull out my 35mm when I want a full-length shot.

Both lenses are extremely sharp, and give excellent bokah. I'd hate to choose between the two.

The 35mm f/1.8 has a metal mount.

The 35mm is very sharp at f/2.5, about the same sharpness as the 50mm. If I were you, I would keep both lenses. There are times when I wish I had a 50mm lens handy for the longer reach.

You don't say which 50mm f/1.8 lens you have (AF or AF-S). The 35mm lens has a nicer aperture geometry, being more circular than the 50mm AF lens. This makes a difference with bright points of light.

As for boke, both lenses seem to be similar - good, but not great.

This Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens produces sharp pictures and great color and contrast. It is also perfect for portrait and other general purposes (semi-macro etc). This lens also produces nice bokeh. The picture quality and bokeh quality are comparable with the other Nikon prime lenses (50mm f/1.8, 50mm f/1.4, 50mm f/1.4 AF-S etc) lens which are famous for being sharp. Overall, this is a very versatile lens. On a non full frame DSLR (such as D40, D40x, D60, D5000, D80, D90, D200, D300 etc), this 35mm focal length is equivalent to about 50mm which is considered a normal lens (normal as to being close to a person eye viewing angle perspective).