Introduced in February 2009, the Nikon 35mm f1.8G DX is for use on DX or crop frame cameras. (It can be used on FX cameras, but a lot of vignetting will occur and it's not what the lens was designed for!)
It's an extremely cheap lens, coming in at under $200, which Nikon says is because it's a DX format. The lens also features a "Silent Wave Motor (SWM)," which allows for autofocus with all Nikon DSLRs. So is this lens an essential for DX format users?
Pros
- Almost silent autofocus with full manual override
- Resistant to flare
Cons
- Slightly soft when wide open
- Visible chromatic aberration
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G DX Lens Review
The Nikon 35mm is an ideal standard lens for photographers using crop frame cameras, as it equates to a 50mm full frame lens. A 50mm fixed prime lens is one of the first lenses that most pro photographers buy, as it's so versatile. This DX lens offers that same versatility.
This review will look at whether the lens' quality is good enough to make it a useful addition to your camera bag.
Autofocus
This lens has Nikon's SWM, which means that it operates very quietly. Unlike the Nikon 50mm f1.4G, this addition doesn't seem to have slowed down the autofocus. It's quick and very accurate, and its focus can be tweaked manually, even when in auto mode. There is a slight tendency for the lens to "rear focus" at large apertures, so do keep an eye out for this.
Build Quality
The lens certainly feels sturdy enough, even though it's made from plastic. The mount is made from metal and features an "O" ring around it, which helps to keep dust and water out of the lens and camera body.
Unlike the 50mm f1.4G, the lens doesn't recess far into its body for protection, and the lens hood that comes with it is very shallow.
Optics
As with most lenses with very large apertures -- and a reasonable price tag -- there is some loss of quality at f1.8. It's still considerably sharper at smaller apertures than any kit zoom lens on the market. It also renders out of focus areas correctly and shows a remarkable lack of flare, even with such a slim lens hood.
Image quality is excellent, although a slight lack of contrast is noted when using large apertures.
The major drawback of this lens, though, is its tendency to produce a significant amount of chromatic aberration. This isn't unusual in a fast fixed prime, but the Nikon seems to suffer from it more than most. Purple fringing is particularly evident around high contrast edges, and only disappears completely at f4.
In Conclusion
DX users should be justifiably pleased that Nikon is producing such good quality, inexpensive lenses for their cameras. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G DX lens isn't perfect, but it's far better than you'd expect for the tiny price tag! This deserves a place in your camera bag!