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…

(more…)

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

The 35mm ƒ/1.8G DX fills an obvious hole in Nikon’s lineup, and with its very reasonable price point Nikon may have found a way to ride out the recession. In our tests, the lens performs very well, with good results for sharpness at ƒ/1.8, becoming excellent at ƒ/2.8. Chromatic aberration is visible but not overly objectionable and light falloff is nicely controlled. Distortion is a little high for our tastes, especially if the lens is to be marketed as a ‘’standard” lens. But for the money you can’t beat it, especially if what you’ve had to work with has been an 18-55mm kit zoom.

You can read the complete review at SLR Gear.  As always, you can find more news and reviews at the dSLR Dad Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G Lens Resource Guide.

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.

(more…)

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.