Nikon 50mm vs 18-55mm?

I currently have the Nikon D3100. I have had it for quite some time. I'm looking to purchase the 50mm 1.8D lens. Everyone says its a must have.

My question is what type of photographs can you take with the 50mm 1.8 opposed to the stock 18-55mm?

People ask for 50mm/1.8 lens. Because it is bit fast and low light lens. And it create more out of focus Blurred / Bokeh / DOF.

If you love to do portrait photography with blurred /bokeh background, go for it.

The 50 1.8 AF will not autofocus with your 3100. The 50 1.8 AF-S will. If you don't mind using manual focus, the AF will be fine.

Just because people say you should buy it doesn't mean you should buy it. If do you a lot of shooting (using your 18-55) at 45-55mm, then sure, buy one. If you want more reach, get a 55-200 VR instead of the 50

It's a very good lens, autofocus issues aside. I would recommend instead the 35 1.8 af-s, which is just a little bit more but a better match for your APS sensor. The 50 is outstanding but will be a little cramped on your camera.

Oh you can use the 50mm Prime for. Allot really

On your Nikon it will act like a 75mm, a short portrait lens. It will offer lovely image quality and sharpness when used right. [every lens has to be used right]

It will be allot sharper then the 18-55mm… And again for portraits, flowers, nature shots it will be fine. Of course. It isn't wide at all so groups foto's. Maybe if you are 5 streets away.

So as you see it has its use as in that using it for group photos is gonna be a joke.

But yes the 50mm is your first step up from the 18-55mm. Just think of it shooting video with it…

As seen at
http://www.dpreview.com/...n_50_1p8_g
the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G has Maximum magnification 0.15 x

http://www.dpreview.com/...3p5-5p6_vr
Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR has Maximum magnification 0.31 x
Although the 18-55mm is not a macro lens (those have maximum magnification of about 1.0 x), it can give you a closer closeup than the 50mm.