Nikon 35
If you want to try a Prime lens this one will win you over. It is small, it is fast and it is very light. Compared to most other lenses this one of the cheaper lenses you can buy (unless you go for the f/1.4). I would not mind using only this lens on a trip. 35mm gets quite a bit of what you see into the frame, but does not add much distortion, you can come quite close to your subjects, and you can have a fast (f/2.8 or better) lens that does not weigh anything.
Of course some people like their general lens to be a bit wider (28mm, 24mm), some a bit longer (50mm), so it depends also on what you like, but I would say this is the lens to have. It also combines well in a setup where you combine APS-C and full frame cameras as you get two very practical focal lengths for the price of one.
Versions
- The picture is the older f/2.0D, one of my favorites.
- The f/1.8G is the newer version, a bit heavier (300g) (I never used it)
- There is an APS-C only lens f/1.8 DX, which is also excellent but can not go on a full frame camera. So I would not recommend that one so much, especially if you consider to combine APS-C and full frame cameras. Get the full frame one and keep your options open.
- The f/1.4, weighs 3x more, costs probably 5x more (I never used it)
- There are older f/2.8 versions that are manual focus (I never used it)
| Price | Very affordable |
|---|---|
| Weight | Very light, 200g |
| Good for | Everything |
| New or used | 400 new or 200 used, does not lose much value |
This is a very useful range on a full frame camera. It also allows you to come extremely close, most versions will focus at 20 to 25 cm and makes gorgeous pictures. It is excellent for scenery, close-ups, people.
Technically this will be a 50mm on an APS-C camera, which is a very useful range as well, it is a bit more constrained. However, there is a huge advantage of a 35mm on an APS-C over a 50mm on a Full frame, it will allow you to come closer, while the field of view is that of a 50mm, the minimum focus distance remains small. This is great for museums for example, where you sometimes want to come closer.
Gallery / see also and this
Close focus
35mm on a full frame
35mm on APS-C this is effectively 50mm
Bright and colorful, the 35mm delivers.
The field of view of the 35mm is really very practical and it makes it a perfect walkaround lens.
A light lens has also perks when you need to hold it steady. Even without a vibration reduction system, it is easier to hold the camera steady with this lens. In this case this is handheld at 1/15s. It is a bit of work, but it beats carrying a tripod all the way up to where I took this picture.
These pages are for Amateur Photographers and not really for seasoned photographers and professionals. I have no affiliation or commercial interest with any brand/make. I write from my own experience. I ended up using mainly Nikon, so I am more familiar with this brand than others. See price for notes on pricing as well as photography related links.