AF-S DX-Nikkor 35/f1.8G
My long-awaited 50/f1.4G AF-S is finally on its way; while Nikon has just announced a new, $200 35/f1.8G AF-S lens. Good times for fast shooters!
Nikon’s new 35/f1.8 prime is intended to provide entry-level shooters with an reasonably-priced fast prime lens equivalent to the 50mm “standard lens” of the 35mm era. With a $200 MSRP and an appearance similar to Nikon’s latest incarnation of the tried-and-true 50/f1.8, this appears to fit the bill.
But a closer look at the specs, and some of Nikon’s statements about the lens and other Nikon glass, raise the tantalizing possibility that this could be a pro lens in many respects.
Unlike other lenses in this price range, this lens appears to have true manual focus override (M/A) capability. The lens’ construction – 8 elements in 6 groups, with an aspherical element – belies a more complex and (hopefully) well-corrected design.
In an interesting interview documented on DPReview, Nikon Europe’s product manager for lenses, Ludovic Drean, made an interesting comparison of the new lens to the highly regarded 35/f2 lens. “The new lens is a step above the 35mm F2 in terms of image quality,” he’s quoted as saying. “It’s specifically designed for DX and the aspherical element helps it give better results.”
As for the Nikon 50/f1.4G, Adorama notified me of shipment this week, just in time to use during the end of basketball season in side-by-side comparisons with the Sigma 50/f1.4 HSM. Can’t wait to see how these two compare, and I’ll post the results here in a couple of weeks.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Dave // Feb 11, 2009 at 12:08 am
Wow, I wish I had known this was coming before I dropped over $400 on a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 last month…
2 The Sports Photo Guy // Feb 11, 2009 at 1:28 am
That’s another thing I’m interested in seeing. From what I’ve seen, the Siggy blows the old 35/f2 away. It’ll be interesting to see what Nikon thinks “a step above” means and how close this new lens comes to the 30/f1.4.
3 Chris // Feb 11, 2009 at 9:37 am
Glad to hear the 50G is on its way…will be curious to see your side-by-side comparo.
I have the Siggy 30f1.4, and the 50G….I think I’ll wait and see what the pix look like from this 35 before I spring for it…I’m actually thinking of getting an FX cam for next year (hoops) instead of more fast primes.
4 Dave J // Feb 11, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I don’t know why I would buy this lens. With the old 35/f2, you have flexibility to use the lens on an FX camera or Nikon film SLR. The optics of the old lens are excellent from what I’ve seen, and focus is already quite fast due.
5 Steve // Feb 14, 2009 at 5:26 am
Excellent article Chuck. I recently picked up a used 50mm 1.4D for indoor basketball use. Quite nice along with manual mode and your auto iso trick for 1/6 exposure increments. Iso 800 + Neat Image allows for deep crops and good quality results.
BTW – I now have to access your site via a proxy server. China is blocking you. LOL
6 The Sports Photo Guy // Feb 15, 2009 at 1:49 am
Interesting news about being blocked in China. LOL – I’m a threat to socialist paradise, I’m sure. Oddly enough, your comment was marked as SPAM by Akismet, so apparently someone has their reservations about you, too.
7 Steve // Feb 16, 2009 at 3:35 am
Oddly, your site is “allowed” today at work. My company must have a new portal to the world. Regarding primes, such as my new (used) 50 mm f/1.4D lens. I am now experiencing the world of manual zoom. Definitely makes me want to carry another lens on a second body. A backup D90 appears in my future. Will need a 30 mm prime to go with it. Maybe that new 35 mm Nikon will be a nice small lens to carry around.
8 The Sports Photo Guy // Feb 16, 2009 at 4:13 am
Perhaps I’ve been rehabilitated. And I was looking forward to that large character poster denouncing me as an imperialist running dog!
No question, a second (or even third) body is a real benefit in sports photography; sometimes it’s even tough to switch bodies, the action moves so fast.
9 Stephen // Feb 16, 2009 at 8:19 pm
You’re still waiting for your new 50mm? I walked out a local camera store here in Hiroshima a couple of weeks ago with one. No pre-order or anything. Benefit of living in Nikon’s motherland? I’ll probably do the same with this lens next month.
10 The Sports Photo Guy // Feb 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Well, I have it now, as of last Thursday. Looks like the stock has finally been replenished over here.
Somehow I missed the first batch to arrive at Adorama, even though I had a pre-order AND NPS priority status in place. Could never get their support people to even answer the question “Do you honor NPS priority status” so my guess is that they don’t.
11 Steve // Feb 22, 2009 at 9:25 am
Well, as a student of your site, you can check out my homework here:
http://www.shanghailights.com/sportsphotoguy/basketball/
I posted a few basketball shots from the last 3 weekends. All shots with the 50 mm f/1.4D which I bought used for just this purpose. Rather difficult in the sense I just try to capture mostly my son, so I do not have the luxury of getting just anyone. Most of these are deep crops at ISO 800 or higher, 1/400, f/2, Neat Image post processed – as I try to shoot available light. Any ways, I appreciate now how hard indoor sports are. A 70-200 VR is in my near future, so I think a few strobist techniques – ala your recent wrestling post – are in my near future.
In regards to AF, I think I need to evolve to using dynamic AF and not just single point for f/2. This is not easy! But your site has really helped me.
12 Joey // Mar 3, 2009 at 11:06 am
Chuck…
Ran across your site during a D300 actuation search and I love it…already have several tips I’m going to try!!
I looking forward to this lens for basketball and volleyball and possibly wrestling too!! Hope she’s a good one!
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