DigitalCameraReview.Com just published the review of the new DX format prime lens Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G. I will leave the details for you to read. In conclusion, the reviewer said,
“In short, the new AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is an amazing lens with fabulous edge-to-edge sharpness, great bokeh, and an outrageously low price. In terms of overall sharpness and aperture range this lens is superior to several lenses that cost more than twice as much! Nikon finally delivered a fantastic prime lens for average consumers who own the D40, D40X, or D60. If you own one of these cameras, this lens belongs in your camera bag.”
Other reviews for AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G
- DPreview – “Highly Recommended”
- Photozone – “4/5 for optical quality and 5/5 for performance/price”
- Ken Rockwell – “This could be the only lens you ever need for a DX camera”
- Bjørn Rørslett – “… expect this lens to become very popular for DX shooters seeking a good performance under situations in which a 35 is the solution”
- DPTnT – My impressions.
Availability
The AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is a DX format lens. The equivalent focal length on a DSLR with a APS-C sized sensor is about 52.5mm, which gives roughly the same field of view (FOV) as a 50mm lens on a full frame camera such as the Nikon D700 and D3/D3X. For many D40/D40X/D60 users, this new lens should be a welcome addition because the lowest cost large aperture option AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D would not auto-focus on their cameras. I have had the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D for quite a while. The image quality is very good but the focal length is a little inconvenient for close range shots. Another aspect of the new lens I like is the ability to manually override the auto-focus by turning the focus ring without putting the camera in manual focus mode. This is not possible with the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D. So I am very interested in finding out how the lens compares to the AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D. Read More…
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on March 19th, 2009.
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In the history of Nikon SLR cameras and Nikkor lenses, there have been many technology developments. Even though the physical dimension of the Nikon lens mount (F-Mount) has pretty much remained the same for a long time, the Camera-Lens compatibility is a lot more complicated than simply being able to mount the lens on the camera. There are several major compatibility questions:
- Can it mount? Sometimes the lens won’t mount at all, sometimes the rear element may break the mirror in the camera. So do a good research before you mount the odd-looking lens you bought from a yard sale.
- Will it meter? If it will, it may not support all metering modes especially the matrix metering mode. Flash photography can also be affected, for example by the focus distance information that only some lenses can send to the camera.
- Will it autofocus? Some early versions or Nikkor lenses are strictly manual focus only but even AF lenses do not guarantee auto focus function on cameras such as Nikon’s entry level D40, D40x, and D60, which do not have a built-in auto focus motor in the camera body.
Want to find out what works and what not for your DSLR camera? Here are some excellent resources.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on February 17th, 2009.
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DPReview has posted a gallery of sample photos from the new AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G Nikon introduced recently. There is nothing really spectacular in these photos taken with this lens and a Nikon D300 partially because of the subjects they chose to shoot. The images look pretty good for sharpness and contrast from a lens that is supposed to be a consumer grade prime for DX format DSLR cameras. The lens will be an excellent choice for low light and candid shooting situations.
I pre-ordered mine a few days ago from Amazon for $199.95. However the item appears to be no longer available for pre-order there and no price information is shown on the product page.
Posted in
Lens on February 14th, 2009.
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AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G
Showing its commitment to the DX format, Nikon has introduced the AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, which offers an equivalent focal length of 52.5mm in FX (full frame or 35mm formats). Basically, it is the “normal” lens for DX format DSLR cameras. Unlike the 50mm f/1.8D, this new lens features RF, or rear focusing, so the front element does not stick in and out during focusing. It has the silent wave motor (SWM) so the focusing should be silent and fast and makes full time manual override possible. Read More…
Posted in
Lens on February 10th, 2009.
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I have one of the older model (A16N) Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 for Nikon. I like the lens for its value even though it does have a flaw related to FLASH photography in TTL-BL mode. Lately, Tamron has announced update to this lens with a built-in AF motor.
A vendor in Malaysia has received the lens and posted a short review on PhotoMalaysia. In summary, the new version has:
- No screw drive hole for AF. AF motor is now built-in. This makes the lens compatible with Nikon D40, D40x, and the new D60 DSLR cameras.
- AF/MF switch. It is no longer needed to set the focus mode on camera. I doubt it can do focus override (typically only on AF-S lens) though.
- Smoother but much lower AF. I hope it can provide more precise auto-focus and the accurate distance information to the camera so the old problem can be avoided.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on March 4th, 2008.
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Once a very popular lens selling even above MSRP not too long ago, the Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED has lost its charm somewhat. I guess the demands drop as most people who wanted it already got it. It can now be easily found at most photography equipment places for less than MSRP.
It appears that DPReview just started doing lens reviews but I am a little surprised to see the review of this lens coming from DPReview at this time (two years after its release), when many people are waiting for an already-late Nikon D300 review.
Based on the review, the lens is “about making some optical compromises to provide the broadest possible range in a single lens”. It is “nothing more than an expensive snapshot lens”, and it is for “he photographer who wants to shoot a little bit of everything and not have to change lenses”. I guess that’s quite accurate.
For reference, here are some other reviews of this lens:
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on February 26th, 2008.
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According to DPReview, Tamron announced the SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro at PMA 2008. It seems to be an interesting addition to the camp of Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro and Tokina AT-X 828 AF Pro 80-200mm f/2.8 as a low cost alternative to the expensive OEM counterparts. Although not mentioned in the DPReview coverage, the Nikon mount version will have a built-in auto focus motor so it works on all Nikon DSLR cameras including D40/D40X/D60, which do not have in-body AF motor. Quoting from the product overview from Tamron:
While overall dimensions are confined to the absolute minimum, the new SP AF70-200mm F/2.8 zoom lens is packed with features that allow stress-free photography: a versatile MFD of just 37.4″ over the entire zoom range; best-in-class maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3.1 at f=200mm; and an advantageous internal focusing (IF) system. The new tele-zoom lens covers a desirable focal length range of 70mm medium telephoto to 200mm telephoto when mounted on full-size format SLR cameras and a focal length range from 109mm to 310mm* ultra telephoto when mounted on a DSLR camera with an APS-C sized imager.
Posted in
Digital SLR Cameras,
Lens on February 7th, 2008.
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