Comments on: Nikkor AF-S DX 35mm F/1.8G

By: Don Pope

Don Pope — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:37:13 +0000

@Adi,

That is incorrect. 35mm is 35mm in ANY lens format.
That number represents the distance in mm between the rear nodal point of the lens and the sensor.
There aren’t small millimeters and large millimeters. By definition, all millimeters are the same length.
So, 35mm in FX is exactly the same as 35mm in DX.

The perceived difference is all in the camera’s crop factor.
If you have a smaller sensor, you are using a smaller portion of the image projected by the lens.
In a DX camera, that means that when using a 35mm lens your image will look like it was taken by a 52.5mm lens in a traditional 135 format film camera, but it will still be 35mm.

The lenses marked DX just take advantage of the smaller sensor by only covering the DX image circle.
This makes them cheaper, smaller and lighter.

On a DX camera, your photos will look the same whether you use a 35mm DX lens or a 35mm FX lens.
On an FX camera, a DX lens would crop your photo because the image circle is smaller (but the center part would still look the same in both images).

By: Adi

Adi — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:11:06 +0000

@Josef makower: the focal length marked on any Nikon lens (probably for other producers too but I am only certain about Nikon) is the focal lenght for 35mm frame (full frame) UNLESS there is also a DX marking. So, in out case, the 35mm f/1.8 DX is actually 35mm and not 35mm equivalent for 35mm frame; 35mm F/1.8 DX is not ~50 on DX just like the 85mm DX is NOT ~135mm on DX. This is why DX is there, to confirm the actual focal length experienced through that lens on a DX camera.

Thanks!

By: Nora

Nora — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:39:27 +0000

@Steven, yes it includes the built in focus motor in the lens, so it will work on the D50. It works equally well on my D40, which does not have a built in motor in the camera, and the D90, which does. So you will have no problem.

I just used this lens, along with a zoom, and the 50mm 1.8 at a wedding, and the 35mm outperformed the 50mm, hands down, for me, believe it or not. Loved it!

The 35mm focal length is roughly equivalent to 50mm on an FX camera.

By: Josef Makower

Josef Makower — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:39:02 +0000

Hi !

I have always thought that 35/1.8 DX
is 35 mm on FX and ~50 on DX
and not the other way arround.

So on FX it´s wide angle and on DX it´s normal.

Likewise 85 dx is 85mm on FX
and ~135mm on DX.

Read please your review again.

By: steven

steven — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:42:01 +0000

Will this lens work on a Nikon D50?

By: Nora

Nora — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:55:20 +0000

@Saket, definitely a nice additional to your kit lenses. I would recommend it.

By: Saket

Saket — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:06:42 +0000

I have a Nikon D5000 with the kit lens (18-55mm) and a 55-200mm zoom. I am looking to buy a faster lens to help me with portraits and indoor photography. You’ve probably guessed that I am a beginner and don;’t have much experience with portraits. Would you suggest this lens to me?

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 02:32:44 +0000

Further to my post of 17 Feb 2010 I see there’s a little discussion taking place re 24mm and 28f/2.8 AFD as alternative lenses to the 35mm DX f1.8G. I tried both the 24 and 28mm before purchasing the 35mm DX 1.8G and found that in auto focus the manual focus ring moves on the 24 & 28mm lenses. Not a huge problem but you do need to keep your fingers off the focus ring on the 24 and 28mm lenses because if you don’t the lens wont focus properly on the 24 and 28mm lenses. I also looked at construction and compared both with the 35mm DX lens and thought the new 35mm DX lens was a much better enclosed construction lens with less external moving parts and hence less areas for dust to creep in. The 24 and 28 mm lenses are both great lenses (I’d be going for the 24mm, particularly if I was going to consider moving from my D300 to a full frame down the track). But I’m happier with the 35mm for my needs as it is a DX specific lens and a little faster at f1.8 that the 24 and 28mm FX lenses discussed. As you can see it comes down to personal choice so I wont rank on either the 24mm or 28mm. For me the 35mm is a DX specific lens and works wonderfully with the DX format. No external ring either to worry about and autofocus is much more silent than using the 24 or 28mm lenses. Hope this helps with those deliberating whether to go 24mm or 28mm, or indeed with the 35mm DX f1.8 which is the latest in the Nikkor line up and I think arguably the best for my shooting needs.

By: Don Pope

Don Pope — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:48:17 +0000

Florian:
You are probably right. I have the 35mm and I find it too long for the type of photos I take.
I’m probably going to replace it with the 24mm f/2.8

By: sunny

sunny — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 07:09:51 +0000

If you can: go to a shop near you and try them both on _your_ camera body.