Nikon 35mm f1.8G review

Nikon 35mm f1.8G review

17th March 2014

Holographic aside

Intro

The Nikkor 35mm f1.8G Erectile dysfunction fills the last gap in Nikon's 35mm line-skyward: a lens designed for full-frame DSLRs, merely pitched at a more affordable price-point than the flagship model. Nikon already offers the gold-ringed AF-S 35/1.4G for professional use and the AF-S DX Nikkor 35/1.8G for owners of its DX-format APS-C models.

Until now, photographers looking for an affordable 35mm Nikkor lens that could accompany them along their way to a cheaper full-entrap dead body look-alike the D610 were limited to the venerable AF 35/2.0D, which is a design from 1995. Now they have the AF-S 35mm f1.8G, which joins tierce other full-form compatible primes with f1.8 aperture: the 28/1.8G, 50/1.8G and 85/1.8G – of which interestingly only the 28mm is gold-ringed, denoting a higher grade.

35mm is a variable focal distance being equivalent to a "normal" lens on a DX-physical structure and giving you a balmy wide-angle along a heavy-soma body while avoiding the quirks of more extreme models. In my Nikon 35mm f1.8G review I'll present my findings from testing this lens on a 36MP Nikon D800 body.

Facts from the catalog

As was common I'll suffer a spirit at the technical data first. I've rated the features with a [+] (or [++]), when information technology's major than middling OR even state of the nontextual matter, a [0] if it's standard or right norm, and [-] if there's a disadvantage.

Nigh features are compared to Nikon's AF-S 28/1.8G.

Size (diameter. x length): 72 x 72 mm (2.8 x 2.8 in.). A little smaller than the 28/1.8G at 73 x 81 mm. [0]

Weight: 305 g (10.7 oz). 25g lighter than the 28/1.8G. [0]

Optics: 11 lenses in 8 groups vs. 11 elements in 9 groups for the 28/1.8G. This is about standardised for extensive-angle lenses. The lens system contains one aspherical component and one limited glass chemical element while the 28/1.8G had two rounded elements plus Nano-finish. [+]

Closest focalise distance/max. blowup: 25 atomic number 96 (0.82 ft.) / 1:4.2. I measured 1:4. This is really a quite nice magnification that this lens can attain and is similar to the 28/1.8G which goes to 25 curium and 1/4.5. [+]

Filter-thread: 58mm. That's the same as the 50/1.8G, the 50/1.4G, and the VR DX 55-300mm 4.5-5.6G ED. But other than that you're probably bound to call for new filters for this lens. Fortunately 58mm filters are less expensive. The 28/1.8G has a 67mm filter-thread. [+]

Image stabilization: No, same as some different fixed central large aperture lens from Nikon surgery tertiary parties below 200mm focal length. [0]

AF: AF-S with SWM (silent wave motor), so it does work connected Nikon D3x00/D5x00-bodies. Manual-focalise override by simply turning the focus gang [+]

Covers full frame/FX or smaller = very expert [+]

Monetary value: roughly 500 EUR new (incl. 19% VAT). That's quite a hefty check off-up over the DX 35/1.8G which is at around 170 EUR but much cheaper than the 35/1.4G at around 1550 EUR. Its rightful predecessor, the 35/2.0D, can now live had for or so 320 EUR. But compared to the 28/1.8G and 85/1.8G the terms seems reasonable. [0]

Comes with a flexible lens sack (atomic number 102 padding, nary strap), the lens-shade is included, reversible for exaltation, and the lens-caps are standard Nikon's. [0]

Distance selective information is relayed to the photographic camera, so Nikon bodies and flashes can do every the civilised exposure-correlate stuff with this lens. [+]

Aperture annulus = no, fair alike complete competitors with AF. [0]

Sealing: yes! The standard Nikkor natural rubber grommet at the lens-mount – merely no further endure-waterproofing. [+]

The seduce in the "features-department" is 0[-]/8[0]/4[+]. This crystalline lens ticks almost altogether important boxes, except perhaps a Price below 500 EUR – meet like the 28/1.8G.

Alternatives

– A 35mm Lens with an aperture of at least f/2, an envision-circle that fills an FX-sensor, and auto-focus? Fit, there is Nikon's old AF 35/2.0D for 320 EUR (see my Nikon 35mm primes comparison) , the AF-S 35/1.4G (see my Nikon 35/1.4G reexaminatio) at round 1550 EUR, and Sigma's AF 35/1.4 "Art" DG HSM that can be had for 750 EUR. The Sigma looks perchance like the most interesting alternative here, bountiful you a 2/3 stop faster aperture at a reasonably superficial mark-upwards. And IT earned a Highly Recommended for excellent performance in my Sigma 35/1.4 review.

– If you'rhenium wide with manual focus you could besides get a Samyang/Walimex with an aperture of f/1.4 or f/1.5 which sells for around 400-500 EUR. Or you have a take Zeiss' ZF.2 Distagon T* 35/2.0 at 1000 EUR or the more expensive Distagon T* 35/1.4 for 1600 EUR

– Or you take the even shorter focal distance of 28mm which gives you a 25% wider field-of-view. Then you have a choice of the Sigma AF 28/1.8 EX DG Asp Macro at around 460 EUR, the Zeiss ZF.2 Distagon T* 28/2.0 (manual nidus sole) which sets you back at least 1100 EUR, operating theatre the Nikon AF-S 28/1.8G at 550 EUR which earned a Advisable in my Nikon 28/1.8G review.

Centre and build quality

Focus truth and repeatability is critical to consistently produce sharp shots, especially with large aperture primes. Repeatability (the accuracy of focus on the same subject after perennial focus-acquisition) of this lens is good with some variations but no real outlier over a serial of 40 shots. The lens focuses in around 0.5 sec from infinity to 35 curium, which is expedited. The 35/1.4G does this in 0.7 sec.

The focus ring has some quagmire/play between its movement and the focus-action which is a pain for manual focusing. And the shed of around 100 degrees is a little short for accurate focus all-encompassing available but the one as with the Nikon 35/1.4G. The focus mob has a broad 2.5 cm wide-screen profiled prophylactic surface that is easy to grip and moves well albeit with a pass geared feeling. AF-operation is scarcely audible from the outside. If you read TV with the built-in microphone focus-motion starts and stops with just about no "clack" and the AF-cause itself is also not too annoying. Focus breathing is visible: things in the background become clearly larger the nigher you direction. That Crataegus laevigata annoy videographers.

The lens has a brave out paved metal lens-jump on and seven rounded aperture blades. The outer barrel is plastic and the lens-shade sits tight.

At once it's time to feel out some results in my Nikon 35mm f1.8 quality and Nikon 35mm f1.8 sample distribution images pages, or if you'd like to jump to chase, head straight for my verdict!

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