The Nikon 35mm f/1.8 was created specifically for the DX shooters who were lacking the classic 50mm “normal” focal length fast prime. The 50mm f/1.8 is a great lens, but is just a tad too long for normal use. The 35mm and 50mm are pretty comparable in size with the 35mm being just a bit wider around, but both are dwarfed in size and weight by the 18-200mm:
The 50mm becomes a 75mm with the DX crop factor and the 35mm becomes a 52.5mm. The difference between the two focal lengths is quite apparent when viewed side by side:
Getting up close and personal with a subject is a little easier now since the 35mm focus 5-6 inches closer than the 50mm. That difference more than makes up for the difference in focal length. Here we can see the 35mm (top) was able to reproduce a slightly larger view of my lamp:
So far I’m very happy with the lens. It’s lightweight, pumps out some great pictures wide open and focus quickly. I love my 18-200mm, but I see this spending a lot of time on my D90. Focus noise is also much lower. The 50mm f/1.8 is fairly noisy and when it hunts for focus it can give a nice thud when it hits infinity. 52mm UV filter is on my list to buy to protect the front glass. Look for some more pics and comparisons coming up.
Great first pics. When you get the filters can you put up some shots with filters on to show any falloff…if any. As a Dx lens I am curious to see if this happens with filters on. I am still waiting for mine to show up.
Thanks,
Mike
Just ordered the Tiffen UV filter. Will do a post comparing falloff both the 35mm and 50mm with and without the filter when it arrives.
Coolio. It’s good to have a photo expert brother.
Hmm…maybe with the $500 I save from buying a D90 instead of a D300 I can purchase this very fine lens.