Nikon 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX (HD)

[AcornBurrka]

Would you recommend the newly announced 85mm af-s 1.8g for D3100 shooters? I have a 35mm and 18-55mm atm. I need a good lens for sharp portraits :)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You can take portrait photographs with the lenses you already have.

[AcornBurrka]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Thanks for the quick response! 

[michele848484]

I think this is a great lens for normal photographer. I love it. Of course, it's not good for professionals, but they have other expensive and much better stuff for their FX cameras

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uhm, "professional" doesn't exist and anything is possible if you know how to use them.

[LordN3r3v4r]

Wow, thank you for your time in creating this very informative video! It's just what I was looking for. Now, to find some sample images. :)

[youtubister]

Good style of reviewing: short and sweet, and straight to the point.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Hah, thanks.

[TehHelpStation]

Nice vid man! I too love my 35mm 1.8g too.

If any of you guys wanna check out my vids on my d7000 + 35mm 1.8g (and others) + other related vids, be my guest :)

[e30roundel]

its 200 dollars u.s. on amazon.com

[mpc16pads]

This lens is going for 300+ now. Good luck finding one .

[Lilkiwiguy87]

B&H have them for $279.95 but they're all out of stock at this moment.

[Nattacus]

@Lilkiwiguy87 I'm guessing that's because of what happened in Japan. The prices here in the UK have gone from around £150-160 to anywhere up to £200. I guess i'll just have to wait then :\

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yup, that plus the bad global economy as well. Unfortunately, the Nikon's prices most likely won't come back down in another year or two.

[jasonsitu]

so this is not a good lens it is?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This test procedure is factual and the thoughts are our opinion. We're unable to tell you the direct answer, so, you have to find out for yourself by renting it out.

[Avecfort]

Thanks for the review, really good : )

[unknownchronicles]

I hear the hood for this is kinda crap 'cause it's so small. Is that true?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Rubbish. The hood is designed specifically for that particular lens alone and it works perfectly as advertised.

[wrobe00011]

@unknownchronicles google it. :)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yep.

[gangsterper]

I just ordered my first DSLR! Can't wait for it to arrive! It's just a Nikon d3100, but since I am new to this i figured that the D3100 was a good way to start!

The lince that comes with the camera is a 18-105 f/3.5 - f/5.6 VR. By the summer I would probably want to by some new lenses for the camera. Do you have any suggestions for some cheap, but good lenses (like the 35mm f/1.8)? I love taking pictures of my family, friends and the nature!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We have no idea, perhaps, do some researching for yourself...?

[shonasam840]

I think something's wrong. As it is a DX lens so it'll give 35mm on a DX body instead of 52.5mm as you said..

[Lilkiwiguy87]

DX cameras' sensors have a crop factor of 1.5X, which causes the lens' focal length to be multiplied by 1.5. So, it becomes a 52.5mm lens on DX cameras but remains a 35mm lens on FX / Film cameras due to lack of crop factor. So, nothing is wrong.

[kissthis200]

@Lilkiwiguy87 that's true on all lenses except dx lenses. shonasam840 is correct. the 35mm DX lens will be 35 mm on a DX camera. it was made specifically for DX cameras so it wont multiply by 1.5 like other lenses will. It's not even recommended for FX cameras

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Unfortunately, that is incorrect.

The DX format sensor's crop factor applies to every lens, DX or not.

Who said DX lenses are not recommended? FX format digital SLR's have DX Crop Mode, which crops out hard vignetting that is caused by DX lenses' small image circle. So, DX lenses are perfectly useable on FX format digital SLR's. Film SLR's might work except no DX Crop Mode but you can always crop later.

This video will teach you more about crop factors: YQbGOKuKEqA

[ahippoatemyfoot]

Can someone please tell me whether the focus ring is meant to turn continously on this lens? I bought it off amazon but i'm not sure if it's broken because you can just turn the focal ring non stop.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

That is normal for all AF-S lenses.

[JippaLippa]

what does it mean that is useless with a aperture higher then 4?

Do i have color fringing if i shoot at aperture 1.8?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Color fringing is chromatic aberration and that is what appears at high apertures (F/1.8 to F/2.8).

[AQHackAQ]

Oh and BTW, I'm planning to shoot upcoming family weddings and portraits with it. I have with me a Nikon D60 with no speedlight. I wonder if I need it or the f/1.4 will suffice?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We have no idea, it is up to you.

[AQHackAQ]

Hi, I really hope you would help me here.

I'm currently stuck between choosing the 35mm f/1.8 and the 50mm f/1.4.

I've done extensive review on these low light dweller. The much pricier 50mm f/1.4 isn't any better than the 35mm f/1.8 right? other than having wider aperture.

Are there any real big difference between f/1.4 and f/1.8?

My budget is $652 MAX, here in Malaysia, the 50mm is $651 while the 35mm is $298. If I buy the 35mm, I'd still be able to get the SB-400, is it necessary?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

That is incorrect, the 50mm ƒ/1.4 performs better at high apertures (low ƒ/numbers) than the 35mm ƒ/1.8 on same apertures.

Yes, big difference. 50mm ƒ/1.4 is useable from F/2.0 to F/5.6 while 35mm ƒ/1.8 is useable from F/4.0 to F/8.0.

[IrishBMusic]

So...you're saying it's not fully compatible wit the Nikon D80?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

D80 is not a crippled DSLR.

Crippled DSLR's are cameras that lack internal focusing motor.

[mrmeadowsiscool]

ok the 1.4 50mm or this? idk difference?

[superkiwizorro]

why don't you watch the 50mm 1.4 video to compare the difference?

[BerkeleyBuilt]

is it worth buying if i have a 18-55mm dx?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

No idea, it is up to you.

[BerkeleyBuilt]

@Lilkiwiguy87 wow, thanks that really made me decide.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You're welcome. You can rent it online to see and decide for yourself as well.

There are several online rental websites listed on our channel profile.

[abybryan]

i have a nikon d3100....is this better than the 50mm f1.4??? what's the difference? which is better for me... thanks!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

You are comparing apples and oranges. The 50mm ƒ/1.4 is ideal for low light conditions where F/2.0 - F/5.6 is useable. The 35mm ƒ/1.8 is ideal for well lit conditions where F/4.0 - F/8.0 is useable. Better for you, you decide.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

We cannot recommend anything because it is up to you. Our only suggestion is to do some researching then rent a specific lens out for a week or two so you can see and decide for yourself.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The answer is in the video, watch it again.

[AZNFlipy12]

i bought this lens not because it cheaper but because it has a bit wider angle than the 50mm

[sardo97]

would using a 2x converter make it "handle" more like a 80mm 1.8?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This lens does not accept teleconverters.

[mark04291989]

Hi! I just have a quick question... can we be able to zoom farther if we use this lens? It's like you're focusing your subject in a concert stage and you are in the upper box. Can it be zoomed that far?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It is a prime lens, which means it is not zoomable.  That means you have to use your legs to move closer to or away from your subject.

[Sqeener]

@mark04291989 your question is the one of the only exception to the rule: "no question is a dumb question."

[OlliTheAwesomeone]

Wait, doesn't it have very bad Vignetting on an FX-Camera like D3?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This video already showed you the vignetting on FX / Film format. Perhaps watch it again?

[Spaeckli]

@OlliTheAwesomeone it actually isn't that bad...

but you should really watch the video insted of asking questions like that xD

[isctony]

£120!! its £170 on amazon.co. uk!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes... That was the price in UK 8 months ago.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Lenses have wide and narrow apertures for a learning curve. It does not mean you're completely banned from using those apertures. You can use those but we are saying you cannot expect superior image quality at high and low apertures (i.e. F/1.8-F/2.8 and F/11.0-F/22.0). Apertures between F/4.0 and F/8.0 is the sweet spot.

High apertures result in chromatic aberration (color fringing that softens the image).

Low apertures result in lens diffraction (smeary and fuzzy due to over-sharpening).

[ipkis1]

what does DX mean? :)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It means this lens is designed for use on cameras that has small sensor such as on DX digital SLR's or FX digital SLR's (in DX Crop Mode). Most DX lenses are not useable on FX digital SLR's (in FX or 5:4 Crop Mode) or film SLR's because it could result in hard vignetting that is irreparable.

[44deluxe]

I have a D40 and liked the look of the Nikon 50mm ƒ/1.4D AF you reviewed. As I understand it, the larger the aperture available, the lower lighting conditions you can work in. However because I'm a novice would the auto focus on this 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX lens be more useful than the better quality in low light of the other lens? Hope you don't mind me asking....!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's the another way around. 50mm ƒ/1.4D AF (or 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S) have better image quality in low light because F/2.0 and F/2.8 are perfectly useable. The 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S don't do very well at F/2.0 nor F/2.8, resulting in smeary and fuzzy image quality, but gets better at F/4.0.

[44deluxe]

@Lilkiwiguy87 Thanks for the response...I still have some reading to do then I guess! I just found out that the AF-S version will work with my D40 and still give me autofocus....so maybe that's the one to go for after all.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Thought you wanted a lens that is capable of low light shooting, the 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX is only gets better at F/4.0 or lower (F/5.6 and F/8.0). That means slow shutter speeds. 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S have AF-S motor and is useable from F/2.0 to F/4.0, which means faster shutter speeds and is fully compatible with your D40.

Let us put it this way:

50mm ƒ/1.4D AF / 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S is good for low light shooting.

35mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S / 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF is good for shooting in bright scenarios.

[mpc16pads1]

In my opinion the Nikon 50mm 1.8 is a better and more accurate lens..

[saskLS1]

$211.70 CAD... Not the case, unfortunately Canadian retailers mark up the price for all camera gear. This retails for $279.99 CAD.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes... That's why we added the date of January 11, 2010. Not just Canada that got price increases, it's happening everywhere.

[nickspassov]

I have D40 + the 18-55mm kit lens. Since the 18-55 already covers the 35mm focal length, do you think that buying the 35mm 1.8 would be worth it?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

It's not up to us to decide for you, so rent it out.

[mannydeguzmanjartist]

@nickspassov

You'll need that lens with f1.8 aperture opening for low light/ available light photography or night time use. The f3.5 - f5.6 aperture of most kit lens is so slow that you'll tend to lower your shutter speed to a point where you'll need a tripod, or you have to raise your ISO to a noisier level.

I too am planning to buy fast lens like this for use with portrait and fashion/ models photography. I already had 18 mm - 105 mm f3.5 -f5.6 AF-S DX VR kit lens for my Nikon D90 DSLR.

[ayrton1234]

@nickspassov in the 18-55mm lens the maximum aperture for 35mm is f/5.0, compared to f/1.8 in this prime lens. You decide. =)

[m109r1800]

Works great with my D90 D200.

[chuckmahon]

Works wonderfully on D40 - you can take just this lens and your D40 and have a very light weight kit that you can do some amazing things with.

Wondering if it compliments top of the line DX bodies like D90 and D300S ?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

The D40 is a DX body like D90 and D300s, so the image quality is the same. The 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX will focus a little faster on D300s and that's about it.

[jimbotunale]

i want this. thanks for the review. for me, one disadvantage of 50mm is one cannot always step back to compose, whereas one most of time can advance towards the subject.

[HatroVille]

Anyone here tell me their opinions on this lens compared to Canon's 50mm f/1.8 II lens...Which is better?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

This lens is for Nikon DX digital SLR's that uses Nikon F mount only, not for Canon EF / EF-S mount digital SLR's.

[HatroVille]

@Lilkiwiguy87

oops, sry forgot to mension my situation.

I'm asking ppl about their opinion on Canon's 50mm vs This 35mm for the reason that I've not bought a body yet. and the first DSLR body i'm gonna get will be determained by the comparasion of those two lenses (cuz of tight budget).

(Currently Considering D5000 / 550D)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Oh, ah.  Well, here's the problem, you can not get any direct answers based on people's opinions because everyone is different and has different preferences and shooting styles.

We recommend you to rent the Canon + 50mm 1.8 or Nikon + 35mm 1.8 out for a week or two to see for yourself to support your decision.

Sorry, we cannot help because we're not Canon users (not like we're against Canon).

[HatroVille]

@Lilkiwiguy87

Ohh no problem. Thanks for the reply.

I'll look at several different reviews of those 2 lenses and will make my decision later.

Renting seems like a good idea... ;p

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Do you want to drop a $600-900 on a camera setup then decides you should have gone the another way when it's already too late? Most stores have a one week return policy, otherwise you're stuck with it.

So, rent it out.

[NothingRarer]

uhh in the video why is it on a D3...

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, and?

[Flamingwhut]

@Lilkiwiguy87 the D3 is a full frame camera and this lens is made specifically for the DX range - the ones with the 1.5x crop. Using this lens on a D3 will show a lot of vignetting.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Ever heard of DX Crop Mode on D3 Series and D700?

[horsycos88]

@Flamingwhut D3 has automatic crop. You can use a dx lens with it with no problem.

[horsycos88]

@NothingRarer even though it's a DX lens ,you can use it with a D3.It automaticaly crops when it detects a DX lens.

[johnbasile]

would this lens be also good for portraits? :)

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Maybe or maybe not, we don't decide for you. Rent it out and see for yourself.

[tony77tony77]

don't this lens cost more then the 50mm?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Yes, $75 more than the 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF.

[tony77tony77]

If it cost more then how is it a poor man's 50mm?

[KEBokeh]

Got this lens not long ago and like it a lot. Use it on my D40/D90/D300....it's mostly on my D40 for my walk around the city.

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Uh, yeah, you need to watch the video again because it states very clearly vignetting doesn't go away at any apertures and it is not repairable at F/5.6 or lower (F/8.0, F/11.0, etc.) when use on FX or Film SLR's. No, the vignetting control is turned off.

[thatsamiam]

Dear Lord,

why do you have a DX lens on an FX body?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Dear Sam,

Because you can.

Sincerely, The Nikon Lord

[punnu5997]

as far as I know the company has not mentioned it to be a weather-sealed lens in it's specs, though it is very nicely built !

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Actually, it is sealed against the dust and / or moisture, only if you add a glass filter to the front of the lens to complete the sealing. Any lenses with rubber gasket around the rear bayonet are sealed; you can only find it on most newer commercial grade and few consumer grade lenses.

[bilikhijau175]

how about with d300s..?which better this lens or 50mm 1.8d?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

That decision is entirely up to you.

The 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX is actually a "50mm" lens on DX digital SLR's (due to 1.5X focal length multiplier, aka crop factor). The 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX is considered a standard lens.

The 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF is actually a 75mm lens on DX digital SLR's for the same reason as above. So, the 50mm ƒ/1.8D AF is considered a short telephoto lens.

[TheSushimi]

Hi, What do you mean by "cripple" digital slr cameras? Thanks!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Cripple digital SLR's are those cameras that do not have a built-in autofocusing engine, such as D40, D40X, D60, D3000, and D5000.

All other Nikon digital SLR's are not crippled because it has built-in autofocusing engine, such as D90, D300s, D700, and D3-Series.

[distorzion]

Hey I need your help, I just got this lenses for $200.00 and now I don't know if I should return them, I already have my AF - S NIKKOR 18-55mm DX Kit lenses, I was looking to have more options when it comes to my photos having different lenses, is it worth having this lenses also ? or won't make much difference ? Thank you

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Well, with this 35mm ƒ/1.8G AF-S DX, you can at least shoot at F/4.0, F5.6, and F/8.0 on your DX digital SLR while most consumer grade "kit" zoom lenses only work well in midrange (say, 24-35mm range) at F/8; truthfully speaking, it is useless.

So, that is entirely up to you to decide to keep it or not, so, give it another week to play around with.

[FrankyBono]

ever tried it on FX?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Watch the video AGAIN!

[luipermom]

Thanks for your reviews and tutorials, they are very interesting!

I have this lens since June and I love It. It's little, sharp and completely functional in my D40; so I use it many many times.

Anyway, I didn't know it was sealed against dust and moisture. Could I use it under the rain (protecting the camera body, of course) without risk of damage?

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Sorry, to disappoint you, no. The D40 is not sealed against dust and / or moisture, which does not complete the lens' sealing. Using it on a flagship camera model (D200, D300, D300s, D700 in DX Crop Mode, D2- / D3-Series in DX Crop Mode) will complete the lens' sealing. You do not need to upgrade; simply keep your camera dry in the rain.

[glay07]

thx for the review

[krishnaspal]

Another extremely thorough, professional and practical review. The best thing about your reviews is that, due to the thoroughness and honesty of them, one can trust them and they are so helpful in deciding whether the products are suited for one's needs. Very very helpful. Thank You

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Heh, thank you for the compliments.

[tmlim526]

I've been using this lens for a few months now, and I love it. I agree it's not great for landscape, but for portraits in low light, it's great!

[CODxKILLA]

im looking for a new lens for my d90 this Christmas i already have the 18-105 and 70-300mm but i want to start doing a bit more portrait, and low DOF stuff. would you recommend this lens over the new 50mm 1.4

thanks

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Assuming you didn't watch the whole video where it clearly states this lens will not perform well at higher apertures beyond F/4.0 due to chromatic aberration, which make the images appear softer. That is where 50mm ƒ/1.4D AF / 50mm ƒ/1.4G AF-S shines in because it is useable between F/2.0 and F/4.0 with very shallow depth of field if used properly.

[CODxKILLA]

yeah, i didnt watch the last few mins

but thanks for your opinion

[SuperZorro87]

thats no opinion its a fact

[aRegularGuy]

Definitely in a stocking this year!

[fawziisghetto]

sweeeeeet just bought it last week :D

[anty45]

thank you for the review:)

[21Kobe12]

bought this lense last week, I can highly recommend this lense. Built in AF motor, pouche bag and both lense caps( not only these light plastic ones). Bokeh possible!

[Lilkiwiguy87]

Well, for those ones who do not worry about image quality that much then yes, it's a good lens to start with.

[xaniared]

I wanna buy these