dSLR Dad

Popular Photography Magazine has published their review of the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens:

The first DX Nikkor with the classic advantages of a high-speed “normal” lens…

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Photozone has published their review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G dSLR lens:

Normal primes have a long standing reputation of high quality for an affordable price and the Nikkor AF-S 50 makes no exception in this regard. The lens is able to deliver ver sharp images, at least slightly stopped down.
However it’s not without flaws. Wide open, it lacks a bit sharpness and most of all contrast, vignetting is very high wide open, but that is to be expected on a full frame camera with a moderately priced fast prime. The bokeh is smooth from f/2 to f/2.8 onwards, but a bit nervous wide open, where the lens also shows considerable amount of LoCAs

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Imaging Resource has published their review of the SIGMA 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM lens:

Like most ”vacation” zooms, the trick is to know the parameters where they function best. Sigma’s latest iteration of this lens offers a bit more telephoto performance, for which the integrated optical image stabilization is crucially useful. Unfortunately the lens’ maximum aperture decreases quickly as the lens is zoomed out, to the point where at 80mm, you’re using a ƒ/5.6 lens. This design allows the lens to be kept as small as it is, but at that point you’re needing either a sunny day, an external flash, or a steady hand (even with the image stabilization) to get reasonably sharp photos.

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Popular Photography Magazine has published their lens test report of the Sigma APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM:

Rest on its laurels? Not Sigma. Just look at the updated version of its bright 50–150mm f/2.8 digital-only (DC) zoom ($675, street), part of the company’s top-drawer EX family of glass. Its predecessor performed admirably in the Pop Photo Lab just two years ago (January 2007). Since then, the company’s engineers have twisted, squeezed, and tweaked its design in an attempt (we’re guessing) to catch up to the optical superiority of Tokina’s remarkable 50–135mm f/2.8.

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Popular Photography Magazine has published their review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G dSLR lens:

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Digital Photography Review has published their review of the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens:

The AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8G DX is a lens which certainly caused a degree of dismay on its release, with many Nikon fans disappointed by the decision to make it compatible with the DX format only. However the main benefit of that decision is plain for all to see – even at its introductory price the lens costs rather less than the venerable AF-Nikkor 35mm F2.0D, despite the addition of an AF-S motor to allow autofocusing on Nikon’s entry-level D40 / D40X / D60 bodies. It’s also less than half the price of the few other DX format standard primes currently on the market (such as the Pentax 35mm F2.8 Macro, Tokina 35mm F2.8 Macro and Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM), so Nikon has managed with this lens to produce the first genuinely inexpensive (sub-$200) fast standard prime designed specifically for digital SLRs.

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Photozone has finished their review of the Nikon’s latest fast-prime lens, the Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G:

The Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G is able to deliver very sharp pictures wide open already. The bokeh, one of the primary aspects for a fast prime, is well developed and generally pleasing (at least slightly stopped down). There are some drawbacks, though, especially rather high distortions and CAs, both lateral and longitudinal. And although it’s sonic wave driven, the AF is not really a speed demon.

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Imaging Insider has completed their review of the smc PENTAX DA Star 55mm F1.4 SDM Prime Lens:

There isn’t much to add that we haven’t already covered: excellent results for sharpness, great resistance to CA, little to no corner shading or distortion. Quick and silent autofocus; rounded aperture blades; and to top it all off, a great lens hood that you probably won’t even need given the lens’ shrouded design. Pentax has produced a fantastic lens with the 55mm ƒ/1.4 DA*, however the only sticking point could be its high price point: at over $700, it’s one of the most expensive 50mm-style lenses of any manufacturer. Based on our test results however, you definitely get your money’s worth.

You can read the entire review over at SLR Gear.com.

Imaging Resource has published their review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens:

Released in 2008, the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S is a significant update to the existing Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-D, adding weather sealing, rounded diaphragm blades and AF-S focusing (and thus, compatibility to consumer-level Nikon dSLRs). We’ve finished our tests on the lens; for Nikon shooters, will it be time for an upgrade?

You can read the entire review at SLR Gear. As always, you can find more reviews at the dSLR Dad Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G Lens Resource Guide

Nikon Inc. has released their first fixed focal length, fast-aperture DX-format lens for dSLR Dads, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens.  This is the first normal focal length fast-aperture prime lens for an APS-sized sensor since the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens. However, while the Sigma sells for around US$425, the DX 35mm f/1.8G lens is only $199.95.   The benefits of this lens are:

• Fast f/1.8 aperture – allows you to shoot in low-light without a flash and achieve a very short depth-of-field which is great for portraits.
• Rounded 7-blade diaphragm – the rounded aperture blades will help out-of-focus image elements have a more natural appearance.  Straight blades can tend to make objects that are out-of-focus have sharp edges.
• 35mm DX format – will give you the traditional “classic” normal focal-length on an APS-sized digital SLR.  Very good for group candid’s and portraits from a  close distance. Of course, this lens is not full-frame, so you wouldn’t want to use it on an FX camera.
• Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) – gives you the fast, accurate auto-focusing, even on a D40 or D60.
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) – What Nikon claims will enhance light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.
• Minimum focus distance of just 1-foot will allow you to still keep your “subject” in focus as they run right up to the camera to say hi.

You can find the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens at both Amazon.com and B&H Photo.

Resources

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens Product Page (Nikon USA)

Download the NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens Brochure (pdf link, Nikon USA)

Nikon USA Tech Support page

Reviews

Photozone - Test Report

The Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G is able to deliver very sharp pictures wide open already. The bokeh, one of the primary aspects for a fast prime, is well developed and generally pleasing (at least slightly stopped down). There are some drawbacks, though, especially rather high distortions and CAs, both lateral and longitudinal. And although it’s sonic wave driven, the AF is not really a speed demon.

Nonetheless, given its affordable price, the lens performs on a very high level and is a welcome addition the limited range of lenses that can be used as normal primes on DX cameras.