(This post is from a forum conversation with a coworker. I thought the content might be useful for others.)
Q: I was looking to expand my lens cache a bit, and wanted to see if any of the Nikon users have any experience with these lenses, if there are any impressions to be had?
Tokina 11mm-16mm f/2.8
Nikon 50mm f/1.8
A: I agree with [another forum member] about using fast glass. There is just nothing like it. I’m using my 18-200 less and less and returning to my fast primes whenever possible.
That said, I have the 50/1.8 and haven’t gotten that excited about it. I think it’s probably just not a focal length that I gravitate to (once again, like [another forum member]). With a 1.5x crop it’s a little long for indoor stuff and a little short for portraits. I like the 85-105 range full-frame equivalent for portraits. Anyway, I use the 35/2 so much more often than the 50/1.8. Or it may be that the current 50/1.8 is just too cheap and plasticky feeling compared to my other lenses. I love the 35/2, not only because I like the focal length, but also for the speed and quality. I’m not even too concerned that it’s not AF-S. The 35/2 can be had on eBay for a decent price, and I think the money you spend over the price of a 50/1.8 would be very well worth it.
BTW, I love to use the 35/2 for panoramas. I know it goes without saying, but there’s just no comparison between a single horizontal shot from my 12-24/4 and a stitched panorama of the same scene with the 35/2. (Click on the Panoramas link to see some examples: http://web.mac.com/jbingham1/My_Photography/Photography.html )
Nikon has been ignoring their primes for years now. It’s good to see them update the 50/1.4 to AF-S and a new optical formula. Let’s hope that means they are going to visit some other primes, too. The first on my list would be the 85/1.4. Then probably a fast new 28 or even 24.
All this simply to encourage you to add a fast lens to your kit, but also to second [another forum member]’s recommendation to consider other focal lengths along with the 50.