I'm not what you would call a "gear head" where cameras are concerned; most of my photos have been taken with a trusty Nikon D40 with a kit lens. Recently the D40 started acting up, so I decided to replace it. I had the opportunity to buy a Nikon 5100 used body, and with my old kit zoom, I wasn't particularly thrilled with the image quality (though the camera's shutter response is wonderfully fast). I can't afford an expensive zoom lens, so I have been experimenting with a 35mm prime, which has changed my shooting quite a bit. I was very dependent on focusing with the ring, and now have to be careful to pick subjects I can actually get, and move around to frame the shots. When I try to use the lens for low light distance shots, the results are bad, but it's not where that kind of lens excels. It's great for portrait work, and for other stationary subjects. Still learning and experimenting; also considering a 50mm prime.