Need affordable prime lens

As discussed, good fast (f2 and faster) 50's are easy to find and reasonably priced. They tend to be soft at max aperture, except the Olympus OM Zuiko "made in Japan" 50/1.8:



But if funds are limited, think hard about the focal length - 50mm is tight, and not ideal for group shots at dinner parties etc. You will get portrait/head shots only in small rooms. Try shooting exclusively at 50mm with your zoom first, to see if you can live with it.

28 to 35 is better for this scenario. Also the smaller focal length means lower shutter speeds are necessary. Canon FDn 35/2 is excellent and sharp wide open, but may be too expensive:

(FDn is the nick-name for the newer, lighter, all-black bayonet FD mount Vs. the older FD with a silver breech-lock ring; both fit the same mount.) The FDn 35/2.8 version is almost as good, and the 28/2.8 is also very good and cheaper again, but then they're not as fast for low light...

This Vivitar 28/2  (made by Komine - look for serial number starting with 28xxxxxx) is pretty good, if a little soft at f2, and cheaper than the big brand names:



Also consider using your kit lens with flash - diffused (through white paper or semi-opaque plastic from a milk carton etc. rubber-banded in front of the flash to disperse & soften the light) or bounced off the ceiling, for a more natural look. This is free and surprisingly effective! FD 28/2.8 with flash bounced off the ceiling in a very dark bar, pre-focused by me & then handed to a random by-stander so I could get in shot:

Also - manual focusing is a bit of a challenge but can be much more tactile and rewarding than auto-focus point & shoot. These lenses were very well-made and are a pleasure to use!

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Regards,
Alan
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