Noob question: Benefits of using a...

[cняis]

...50mm prime lens over, say a 35-80mm zoom lens? (canon)

In reality was does the lower F number achieve?

I'm trying to justify buying a prime lens in addition to the 35-80 I already have...

[Diamond Hell]

50mm prime you can stop it down and get pin-sharp low depth of field shots.

Being able to stop the 50mm F1.8 down so far also means you can shoot in much lower light without the flash.

The 50mm is SO full of epic - you simply won't believe how you did without one. 

[cняis]

Purchase justified, although I will have to wait until next month as I've just bought some camera goodies 

[shepgti]

for the price you can buy a 50mm prime 1.8 its silly not to have one!

[Ridg]

prime lenses generally have 0 or very little distortion in comparison to a zoom lens, because the glass is designed for just one focal length the IQ is generally higher than a zoom, you should find very little vignetting and corner to corner sharpness is improved (extension to what DH said).

using a fixed focal length lens is a great place to start too as it gets you moving around a subject looking at it, instead of simple zooming in or out of a subject.

[the_stink]

as mentioned its just a fantasic lens to have in your kit and is a basic Fail not to have one 

the crispness of shots and dof is amazing! and hey if you want to zoom in step closer and vice versa 

[cняis]

alright chaps i'll invest, and just not tell the mrs... 

thanks for your input

[T_J_G]

Wise investment, they're not the best built item so look after it ( if we are talking Canon here...)

[Diamond Hell]

Wise investment, they're not the best built item so look after it ( if we are talking Canon here...)

The front of mine fell out 

Nearly spent the purchase price getting it repaired. DOH!

Should have just bought another one!

[DubFan]

The Canon ones are around £80-90.
Cos I'm on a Sony camera, I had to pay £130 for mine, but definately worth it.
I use mine so much, often leaving it on the camera instead of the 18-70mm zoom.
The low F stop allows you to do great depth of field shots like this (where lots of the background is out of focus)

Love bugs by AlistairBeavis, on Flickr

It also means you can take photos in darker places like this:

DSC06757a by AlistairBeavis, on Flickr