Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Ed Lens

This lens was a long time coming, but worth waiting for. I do documentary work but that also involves some landscape work, so I like lenses that are sharp wide open and really sharp right to the edges stopped down a bit. This lens definitely fits the bill.The 35mm focal length has always been one of my favorites. Until now there were few good options--the old 35/2 was very soft in the corners, the 35/1.4G, which I think is an often underrated lens, is actually quite good but it is huge and expensive. I found the Sigma very sharp but the color and contrast never thrilled me. And the quality control is lacking, I tried three different lenses and all of them were soft in a different corner.The Zeiss 35/2 was great but heavy and MF only. The Zeiss was my choice until ... MoreThis lens was a long time coming, but worth waiting for. I do documentary work but that also involves some landscape work, so I like lenses that are sharp wide open and really sharp right to the edges stopped down a bit. This lens definitely fits the bill.The 35mm focal length has always been one of my favorites. Until now there were few good options--the old 35/2 was very soft in the corners, the 35/1.4G, which I think is an often underrated lens, is actually quite good but it is huge and expensive. I found the Sigma very sharp but the color and contrast never thrilled me. And the quality control is lacking, I tried three different lenses and all of them were soft in a different corner.The Zeiss 35/2 was great but heavy and MF only. The Zeiss was my choice until recently.This new Nikkor 35/1.8G is very sharp in the center, even wide open. The edges might have a bit less sharpness wide open, but at f/1.8 they probably won't be in focus anyway unless you're shooting brick walls. By f/2.8 the corners are extremely sharp and at f/5.6 it's extremely sharp right into the extreme corners.It's better than the Zeiss 35/2 at pretty much all apertures. I don't have the Sigma to compare it to side-by-side, but I'd say it compares favorably. The Nikon has a bit of color fringing, but not too much and it's better in this regard than the zeiss 35/2 (and similar or better than the Nikon 35/1.4).The distortion is not too bad either, normal for this kind of lens. Flare is very minimal, though I have managed to get some minor ghosting during torture tests, it actually has less flare than my zeiss 25/2.The AF is fast and accurate on my D800E bodies.This is a great lens for both documentary work/event work and also for landscapes. I won't hesitate to shoot it wide open when needed, but it sharpens up fast when you stop down.One note on the feel of the lens--this lens is plasticy like most of the recent G lenses. Frankly, I find even the expensive f/1.4 versions to feel a bit cheap and plasticy. Unless you want to shell out thousands for Leica glass, the days of the precision metal lenses seems to be over. I'd say this lens is better than the 28/1.8G. The 35 is a bit denser so it feels more solid, and the focus ring on the 35 is better, it doesn't have as much slop or play in the mechanism. The 35 doesn't feel quite as nice as my 85/1.8G.I'd hate to confuse the feel of a lens for build quality. Sure, the Sigma feels more solid, but I've heard lots of stories (and personally experienced) focus problems, decentering, etc. The Nikkors are light and they don't feel like precision optical instruments, but I've been using my 28G heavily for a while now and it has held up just fine. Also, when you travel and shoot for 12-hour days, a lightweight but high-quality lens is very much appreciated.

I love the 35mm focal length, it's very versatile and I have used that focal length with many different systems such as Nikon, Canon, Mamiya, Leica, etc. I'm currently using a Nikon D800 and have tried four different 35mm's with this camera: the Nikon 35mm f/2d, the Zeiss 35mm f/2 ZF.2, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 and now the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G. Each of these 35mm lenses offers a unique trait/traits that the other one does not. The f/2 D older lens, is a great size, light, fits well with the camera and has relatively quick/accurate but noisy focusing. It's not the sharpest of the bunch but is good in the center and you feel like your getting a lot of bang for your buck. The Zeiss has a wonderful construction, solid, all metal feel, sharper than the D lens, but not as sharp ... MoreI love the 35mm focal length, it's very versatile and I have used that focal length with many different systems such as Nikon, Canon, Mamiya, Leica, etc. I'm currently using a Nikon D800 and have tried four different 35mm's with this camera: the Nikon 35mm f/2d, the Zeiss 35mm f/2 ZF.2, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 and now the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G. Each of these 35mm lenses offers a unique trait/traits that the other one does not. The f/2 D older lens, is a great size, light, fits well with the camera and has relatively quick/accurate but noisy focusing. It's not the sharpest of the bunch but is good in the center and you feel like your getting a lot of bang for your buck. The Zeiss has a wonderful construction, solid, all metal feel, sharper than the D lens, but not as sharp as the others. It has very smooth focusing, fantastic contrast and tonality and of course has no af. The Sigma is big, heavy, the fastest at f/1.4, almost as close in contrast/tonality to the Zeiss, but it's the sharpest of them all with af and that's pretty good. That said, the Nikon 35mm f1.8 G doesn't have one or two unique stand out traits like the other 35mm's mentioned above, where the lens offers something that your not able to get in another 35mm lens. But what it does offer is it does pretty well at all the features one would like in a lens. It is relatively light, still has some weather proofing and pretty sharp (not the absolute sharpest, but close). It also has a good contrast and tonality (but not as good as what Zeiss offers) and overall has pretty quick, accurate and quiet af. It's an all around good lens. It doesn't beat any other 35mm lens in a particular trait but it comes close and does pretty good, just not the best. And for me that made it my lens of choice. It's a funny little guy!

Usually I prefer working with Nikon's DX bodies for a variety of reasons. And this lens is a case in point. I purchased this lens to go with a D810. The deal with the D810 did not work out and unfortunately I ended up returning it and this 35 1.8G. However I did test it. Firstly, I tested it, tripod , mirror up etc, with a D500 DX body. F4, F5.6 even 3.5 very very good. Then on the D810. Center very very good. outer third VERY POOR. So on a DX body the cheap Nikon 35 1.8 DX is great beyond what one could expect and this lens is no better if as good. On FX bodies IMHI this lens is inadequate yet fine on DX bodies, but no better the the smaller lighter much less expensive 35 1.8 DX. So Where does it fit? For those of us continuing, for the time being, to work in ... MoreUsually I prefer working with Nikon's DX bodies for a variety of reasons. And this lens is a case in point. I purchased this lens to go with a D810. The deal with the D810 did not work out and unfortunately I ended up returning it and this 35 1.8G. However I did test it. Firstly, I tested it, tripod , mirror up etc, with a D500 DX body. F4, F5.6 even 3.5 very very good. Then on the D810. Center very very good. outer third VERY POOR. So on a DX body the cheap Nikon 35 1.8 DX is great beyond what one could expect and this lens is no better if as good. On FX bodies IMHI this lens is inadequate yet fine on DX bodies, but no better the the smaller lighter much less expensive 35 1.8 DX. So Where does it fit? For those of us continuing, for the time being, to work in Nikon's F-Mount system I would suggest for DX stay with the 35 1.8 DX and for FX look elsewhere, perhaps Sigma or Tamron. I hate to give plugs to companies but, B&H had my back, as they always do, on this unfortunate deal with the D810. I try to be responsible in my purchases and avoid gratuitous returns, but the D810 did not work out for me and B&H took the returns with total courtesy, respectfulness and promptness. I have been around the block a few times and in the photo video computer tech world there is no company as good to do business with as B&H. I hate giving plugs but they deserve it.