Nikon D3100 - Nikkor 35mm 1.8 or 50mm 1.4 lens?

Can't seem to decide - I'm looking to take nice indoor portraits OR nice evening portraits (low-light) and hear these lenses are great. Any suggestions are appreciated!

If you're going with an indoor lens, you'll appreciate the 35mm lens on your D3100… It's the equivalent of a film camera's 50mm lens.

The 50mm is more of a classic portrait lens on a crop sensor. The 35 is more of the "normal" view. Either one is a good lens, but for portraits I would go with the 50.

Yes, the 35mm is a "normal" lens on your D3100. I love using the 35mm as an all purpose lens on my D300, which has the same size sensor, but the 50mm would be a better portrait lens. It translates into a 75mm equivalent and this is a better working length for portraits. The f/1.4 IS better than f/1.8 for controlling background blur, also.

I have the 1.8 35mm, i suggest you get it because it saves you a load of money, and it has the same sort of effects as the 1.4. One stop lower isn't going to make that much of a difference.