35mm lenses

I have two questions regarding camera equipment:

 

1. Could anybody tell me where in San Diego, CA I can find a good

camera store with new & used Nikon lenses?.

 

2. Why a 35 2.0 AF is almost 3 times as expensive as a 50mm 1.8 AF?.

You know?...I am thinking of using a 35mm as general purpose lens

with a moderate wide angle view, and the 35 2.0 looks a good option

(by the way, how does it compare to a 35 1.4 MF?).

 

I will appreciate your inputs.

 

Thanks

In the Nikkor line with fixed focal length lenses, EVERYTHING costs a lot more than the 50/1.8 and really it does no good to ask "why" when the only real question is: "For me, is this particular Nikkor lens a good deal at the asking price?"

 

The autofocus 35/2 is a sweetheart of a lens and a terrific value. I had one and got a few years' worth of effortlessly crystal clear shots from it, but then it fell victim to the oil-on-aperture-blades problem and so it is now a paperweight. My understanding is that Nikon has fixed that issue, so if you buy a new one you should be okay.

 

The 35/1.4 is even nicer, even more expensive, and on the other side of the ledger it will not be on speaking terms with the exposure meters in many new Nikon cameras. If you and your cameras can be happy with it... get the 35/1.4 and enjoy the way a modern classic lens communicates with you through the aperture ring, focus ring and viewfinder. The things you can do with paper-thin depth of field at f/1.4 are such fun you'll smile in anticipation whenever you put the lens on your camera.

 

Be well,

Speaking of the 35 f/2, was the problem fixed by the time the "D" design came out, or were some of those afflicted with it, too? If it only affected the older, non-D design, one could safely purchase a used "D" lens and not worry about it. Does anyone know for sure?

I saw a demo "D" right off the shelf with the aperture blades stuck shut. Best thing to do is buy new with USA warranty.

The oily aperture problem was fixed so long ago, that if it works OK now, you probably don't have a problem.

My (dead) autofocus 35/2 is an AF-D model. I agree with the fellow who suggests buying a new one.

 

I'm not sure I can agree with the suggestion that any functioning used ones are probably free of the problem. There is some logic there... but there is also logic in noting that the oily aperture blade failure can be a precipitous thing so a lens that is fine today could well be completely screwed up tomorrow. I only noticed the problem in my lens when an entire roll came out overexposed and blurred... I had set small apertures and scale-focused for depth of field. The sticky aperture gave me f/2 instead. Yeech.

 

Maybe I'm needlessly pessimistic but I now think of all used AF35/2 Nikkors as mongrels just waiting to bite the hand that focuses them.

 

Again, I think buying a new one is safe. I just chose to go with the 35/1.4 instead.

 

Be well,

I had a D that got icked up, repaired, then icked up again. I won't even sell the thing on eBay.

 

It was purchased new around 2000 -- things may have changed in the mean-time.

<i>" Why a 35 2.0 AF is almost 3 times as expensive as a 50mm 1.8 AF?"</i><P>Because wide angle retrofocus lenses for SLR's, where the rear element must clear the swinging mirror, are much more difficult and expensive to design and manufacture than a normal lens such as the 50mm.

In Escondido, North County Camera... In San Diego, Nelsons

I'd like to second the concern about oil on the aperture blades in 35 2.0 AFD lenses

-- I bought one secondhand that had this problem. So yes, it is a real problem with

the 35 2.0 AFD lenses. Also bought a Nikon 50 1.8 AF new that had it (and I didn't

send in the 5-year warranty card!). I had to get rid of both lenses, and wound up

buying new replacements for both last year (and sent in the 5 year warranty cards!).

 

I would avoid buying any used Nikon 35 2.0 AF or AFD or 50 1.8 AF lenses for this

reason -- it appears to be an extremely common problem, especially among the

35 2.0 lenses!

 

That said, I love both lenses, and my usual backpacking or light travel kit is a 35mm

2.0 and an 85mm 2.0 AIS or 85mm 1.8 AFD lens with either my FE2 or my N80.

 

Enjoy.

 

Bob Y.