I've owned Nikon's AIS 35/2 for years, and as I've acquired more AF and digital bodies, I've wanted the AF version. A little research shows that the optical formula was changed for the AF version of this lens, which worried me a bit. The AIS is sharp and very contrasty -- a sign that flare and CA are very well controlled. The AF has a smaller front element than the AIS, and there are other internal differences in the optical design as well. So far I'm very happy with the AF lens. Mechanically, the AF lenses don't have the solid feel of the AIS lenses. They have more plastic, and the focusing is necessarily looser to allow the AF mechanism to work easily. But the ones I have are holding up well, and the results speak for themselves. AF Nikkors, on the whole, are very good, especially primes like this one. Since I mentioned digital, this lens is a "normal" lens on a digital body with an APS size sensor. That means it works like a 50mm lens on most digital bodies. If you have a 35mm or full frame sensor digital camera like the D700, it's a moderate wide-angle lens. I find 35mm perfect for indoor candids and I often shoot with available light. With its moderately fast f2 aperture, this lens works well with the high ISO capabilities of the D700, or with 800 or 1600 ISO film for candids in available light. (By the way, current DX 35 f1.8 lenses are different from this lens in that they are designed to only cover the APS-sized sensor in non-full frame cameras. That means they will vignette with 355 film cameras or full-frame sensor cameras like the D700 or D3. If you're looking for a "normal" lens for your APS sensor camera, this one will work for you, but the DX lens won't work as a wide-angle lens on a film or full frame digital camera.) This lens also uses Nikon's "D" (distance) technology, which allows the camera's matrix metering to take focusing distance into account when metering the scene. Theoretically, this could mean that those items in the picture that are in the plane of focus are more likely to get exposed correctly. I honestly can't say that this works (or that it doesn't) because I usually take a more active role in choosing exposure when shooting (I don't entirely trust *any* in-camera metering system.) But it's there if it works for you, and it doesn't get in your way if you don't want it to.Read full review
I bought the 35mm f/2 lens to accomplish two things. Firstly I wanted to have a 50mm focal length (roughly) prime for my DX sensor (Nikon D90) but since I already owned the 50mm f/1.8D, I wanted to have the option of a 35mm prime when I eventually upgrade to the full frame FX sensor camera most likely a D700 or its replacement. The lense is beautifully clean all the way from f/2 to f/18 (as small an aperture as I have used so far, it actually closes down to f/22). Colour representation is excellent. I've used this lens for ALL my portraits and even some still life shots since I've purchased it. Its soft and shallow depth of field at f/2 was the biggest satisfier for me. The lense is light and compact and feels very solid. Construction is great and the added distance scale on the barrel, though used just ocassionally, is also great. This 35mm has the ability to focus very closely to your subject. Subject to correction I beieve it focuses as close as 0.75 ft which is an added plus for unique perspectives in your shooting. Overall its a great buy and an excelent adition to any DX or FX sized kit.Read full review
The 35mm/2 AF-D Nikkor is one of the best lenses Nikkon ever produced yet at the low price it's confounding. I have the AIS version which I love. But to accommodate some of the more electronic Nikon bodies, (N90s, F100, and F5) I decided to buy this one to factor in the distance into the auto-exposure calculation. Still, for the past 60 years, I shoot only film for its outstanding color rendition and great detail which many times cannot be captured with a digital camera but can sometimes be fixed with Photoshop. I highly recommend this lens and if you buy one and use it you will not be disappointed. In fact, you may never sell it!
Verified purchase: No
too much glass isn't a good thing, this has just enough, super light, super crisp, great contrast and for the newbs out there, sharp enough- more sharp than a bunch of nikons new marketed lenses. Do your self a favor and get this lens if you want a 35mm ( note you have to switch to manually focus it, the only downside if you are use to always grabbing the focus ring and adjusting when in autofocus
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this lens, so that I could have a dual purpose lens. Purpose #1 was to have a reasonably fast "normal" lens for my dx digital camera. It serves well in this capacity, although just a little slower (and significantly more expensive) than the baseline 35mm f/1.8 dx lens (which I sold to buy this lens) The second reason, was to have a wider prime for my full-frame (film) camera. It works great for this, and makes the switch worth it! So, even though I spent more money my lens is useful on both of my chosen cameras (dx and full frame). Great purchase! I'd recommend it again to anyone that has the capability of using AF-D (screw drive) lenses on their Nikon digital camera!
My main camera now is a Nikon D700,which is an FX sensor camera. I needed a semi-wide angle lens. The 35mm f2.0 was my choice. This lens is what many photographers chose to use on the 35mm film camera. Being just a bit wider than the standard 50mm film camera again) it has the coverage I need. Likes: The maximum aperture of f2.0 is fast enough in low light, especially on a D700. The lower price over the f1.4 version. Very lightweight. Works well on my DX sensor cameras, which makes it effectively a 43mm lens. This lens is made in Japan. Dislikes: None whatsoever..
Very easy to find at great prices, With the latest digital cameras, using high ISO instead of buying and f1.4 lens is much more sensible for the vast majority of shooters. See both Thom Hogan's and Ken Rockwell's websites as both love this lens.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I wanted a light,fast, moderately wide angle lens to use as a prime lens for my Nikon F100. The zoom and tele lenses I have for this camera are somewhat heavy, so the lighter weight was welcome. The angle of view is somewhat wider than that of a 50mm so it was perfect for travel photographs in cramped locations. I did read that the early manufactured lenses had issues with oil on the shutter blades, so I opted for a very late model although a bit more expensive than older ones. A added bonus is the close focusing of the lens. This is very handy in nature and macro photography. In all the Nikon 35mm f2D AF is for me a very handy lens.
I have always wanted to upgrade from my Fujifilm but never really knew what to go for. I have looked up many reviews and websites all over the internet and came to the conclusion that I had to have a Nikon and that the lens I needed was the 35 mm F/2.0 as I wanted to take great pictures with blurry backgrounds. No disappointment here and even though it's not an easy task for a beginner like me to get what aperture or light to set my camera on, I'm still very pleased. And everything comes with practice.
Great classic lens and focal length. Awesome image quality, and it's nice and light. I personally prefer 35mm over 50mm for a walk-around lens, and this one never leaves my camera. It's a great addition to any photographic arsenal.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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