Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens Review
The Nikkor AF-S DX 35 has been announced at PMA 2009 and caught many by surprise. Not only because it was the only product in the context of Nikon SLR for the show this year announced (other than generally expected, probably) a response to the economic slowdown. Based on currently available cameras on the one hand, and the FX series of rapid aging Nikkor primes on the other hand, many had expected (or the desire for) new full-frame glass. Instead we got from Nikon DX is second prime number.
As usual, we’ll take a look at how the lens takes on an APS-C DSLR. The field-of-view here is equivalent to a 52.5 mm lens on a full frame body, so that the Nikkor behaves like a normal lens on DX cameras. This gap in the market until now has been populated by a third party product (only the Sigma 30 1.4 EX) HSM. One of the reasons not to make a FX lens was most likely affordability: from the first day of the lens has been available for less than 200, – EUR (in Germany).
The construction quality of the lens is manufactured by a very decent quality plastics outer barrel. The lens looks and feels like a little brother, the recently revised Nikkor AF-S 50, with the exception of the 35 can not be with the distance scale.
BUY NIKON 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX NOW FOR ONLY $199.95!
The rubberized focus ring is a bit subdued and works quite smoothly. However, there is a little game, if the change of focus in the direction of manual focus mode. There is minimal, but may be a little disturbing at the fine-tuning (eg, on a magnified live view mode). In this mode, the tested lens also showed a slight shift of the picture if the focus was changed in direction, not much, though. The effect is visible in the viewfinder, but easily recognizable in the maximum magnification in Live View. The physical length of the lens is focused in all settings back (focus group) constant.
The front element does not rotate it with a polarizer remains easily possible. The filter size has a diameter of 52 mm, the prime numbers in line with most other short Nikkor. A separate (but rather short) with bayonet hood is part of the package, and a bag to store and protect the lens.
As AF-S DX 35 is compatible with all current Nikon DSLRs (including the motor-free entry-level cameras, D40, D40x and D60). There are manual override at any time and quiet operation, but the AF speed is not too fast.
BUY NIKON 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX NOW FOR ONLY $199.95!
The Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f 1.8 G is able to deliver very sharp images already wide open. The bokeh is one of the most important aspects for a fast prime, is well developed and generally pleasing (at least slightly dimmed). There are some drawbacks, but mainly fairly high distortion and CA, both longitudinal and transverse directions. And it is driven Allthough Sonic Wave is the AF speed is not really a demon.
Nevertheless, given its affordable price, the lens takes on a very high level and is a welcome addition to the limited selection of lenses, which can be used as a normal prime on DX cameras.
BUY NIKON 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX NOW FOR ONLY $199.95!
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