New Nikkor 35mm f1.8 DX Lens Announced:

[jamespjones]

<p>My 2 cents:<br>

I'm happy that the lens has a 52mm filter carrying on the old Nikon standard.</p>

[samoksner]

<p>Nikon has just provided the FX people with a 50mm f1.4 AFS, now it's providing the equivalent, slightly cheaper version for the DX people, that's all. </p>

[simon_hickie1]

<p>I also spotted the 30cm minimum focusing distance - takes me back to the days of the Pentacon 1.8 50mm that focused at 33cm (I missed that close focusing capability when I changed to Pentax K mount 20+ years ago).</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Shuo, of course the very first AF-S lenses were all single-focal-length super-teles. I still own two of those. However, the 35mm/f1.8 AF-S is the first AF-S "prime" that is DX and is the second DX prime overall. The 10.5mm/f2.8 DX is an AF-D lens that uses screwdriver AF.</p>

[oskar_ojala]

<p>Kinda nice, but I don't feel the need for it. What is needed is an updated 24 mm FX lens, perhaps a 28 too.</p>

[jay_moynihan]

<p>Interesting, the mix of happiness and disdain this announement has been greeted with.<br />Here is 2 cents worth from a user of the D200 & the D60.<br />I currently use the 35mm f/2 AF on both bodies. Of course, it does not AF on the D60. That is not crucial, since the lense being a "pre-digital" lense, has a usable focus ring.<br />Anyway,<br />The new DX 35mm is never-the-less slightly tempting for my little D60. The 35mm f/2 is my most used lense on my digital bodies. My D60 is my "daily carry" camera(w/ the 35mm f/2), and AF would be handy in dim conditions.<br />I actually have 2 of the 35mm f/2 AF's. One lives on my D60. The other is in the bag my D200 is in. I have always been a sucker for "normal" lenses. The normal was my most used lense on 4x5 & 6x7, and still is for my 6x6. I also have 50mm manual Nikkors in f/2, f/1.4, and f/1.2.<br />That said, it will have to test better as far as IQ though, than my 35mm f/2's, for me to get it, even at $200. The F/2 is very sharp, even to the edges (comparatively) and has very low CA. Check out the test at photozone.de. If it tests better (which would mean rivaling say, the Zeiss 35mm f/2 ZF), i will want one.</p>

[stephen_asprey2]

<p>Its good that Nikon is addressing its lack of product in the sub f2 market. Whats not so good is that we have been served up a plasticky DX lens with no aperture ring and this prevents it being used on older cameras. What happened to Nikons policy of backwards and forwards lens compatibility.<br>

I also think its in response to Sigma and Tokina grabbiling a share of Nikons market. But I am glad I kept all my well built AIs and AF-D lenses.</p>

[eli_fox]

<p>My next purchase. I can't wait.</p>

[dave_wilson1]

<p>I can hardly wait. Will be great for the D200s I just picked up.</p>

[Two23]

<p>Hmm. Half the price of the successful Sigma 30mm f1.4, similar specs. Doubtful it's as well built, but that may not matter for most. Nikon may not be so crazy after all. I still find the Sigma more attractive, overall though.<br>

Kent in SD</p>

[bruce_margolis]

<p>I don't think Nikon made this lens to compete with Sigma's 30mm prime per se. Build-wise, I expect it to be more along the lines of the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8. Image-wise, it will be interesting to see how it matches up with the current 35/2. </p>

<p>In any case, it is the least expensive way for D40/60 users to get a 'normal' view prime with AF and for that it should work just fine. For others with DX who want that 'normal' feel but don't want to spend the bigger bucks on the 35/2, now they have a less expensive alternative as well.</p>

 

[ShunCheung]

<blockquote>

<p>"Whats not so good is that we have been served up a plasticky DX lens with no aperture ring and this prevents it being used on older cameras. What happened to Nikons policy of backwards and forwards lens compatibility."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Stephen, the new 35mm/f1.8 AF-S is a DX lens. Its image circle is not going to cover the entire 24x36mm 35mm film frame. What is the point to make the lens compatible with those old film cameras anyway?</p>

<p>Things have changed a lot since 1959 (when Nikon introduced the original Nikon F and F mount lenses) or even 2000. Today, by far the majority of SLRs are digital with a DX sensor. You can't keep holding on the ancient way of doing things and those way-out-of-date mantra or your competition will leave you in the dust.</p>

[edwardchen]

<blockquote>

<p>Nikon has just provided the FX people with a 50mm f1.4 AFS, now it's providing the equivalent, slightly cheaper version for the DX people, that's all.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>Agree. This is not what FX users should be upset about.</p>

[jim_devlin]

<p>I'm a huge fan of the great little 50mm f1.8 lens, so the news that Nikon is introducing a similar 'normal' prime for us DX users is awesome news. I think Nikon is going to sell quite a few of these.</p>

[dan_brown4]

<p>Thinking about it a bit more...</p>

<p>The FX low cost prime is the 50/1.8 at about $100. Now, Nikon gives the DX folks a low cost fast prime for $200. That's a nice increase of price and margin for Nikon. And I bet the 50/1.8 won't be around much longer, thusly pushing the FX folks toward the 50/1.4 G. If the FX folks get a fast 35 or 28, I'm betting it's a $500-$700 lens, much more if it's a 1.4 lens. In other words, the prices are going up significantly, but Nikon is being smart by doing it with new lens releases, and not simply increasing prices of old lenses.</p>

[edwardchen]

<p>Dan, if nikon makes 35/1.4 with SWM and nano coating for FX, I bet it won't be any cheaper than 35/1.4 AIS. It could be around $900 at least.<br>

Just look the recent 50/1.4G AFS..the price almost double the D version.</p>

[lou korell]

<p>zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz</p>

[arthuryeo]

<p>No ZZzzzZZZs for DX ... the DX format is a tool and it can make interesting images given the right circumstance ...</p>

<p><a href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3267972637_1efea27140_o.jpg"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3326/3267972637_da1f0cd38d.jpg" alt="" /> </a> <br /> D2X; 14secs; 17-55mm/2.8G<br>

Light came from moon only.<br>

Click image to see larger version</p>

[ramon_v__california_]

<p>looking at this thread alone, nikon made the right move. they still know the market. they didn't make a tiny part of it happy, but they sure did the bigger chunk of it.</p>

[edwardchen]

<blockquote>

<p>...they didn't make a tiny part of it happy...</p>

</blockquote>

<p>They will get their turn...after nikon earns enough revenue from this high volume selling to finance their costly FX lenses...R&Ds and initial production cost.</p>

[tobycline]

<p>My 50 f/1.4 AFS is STILL on backorder, so if you want this new 35mm lens anytime soon, you better pre-order now.</p>

<p>BTW, those who want new 20 and 24 primes, Nikon already makes the updated version: it's called the 14-24 :)</p>

[eajames]

<p>Good point Toby. Some folks are calling for a fast 24mm or 28mm lens but, (as someone one who uses wides for landscapes) I don't see the utility. Perhaps that will change as my eyes age.</p>

<p>No ZZZZZ for sure Arthur - pretty shot!</p>

[jos__javier_vicente]

<p>Really good news... It seems that Nikon won't dismiss the DX line-up for a long time and they realized that some folks still like simple and unobstrusive equipment. If the way to go would be the full frame monsters, I may consider the Oly/Pano offerings, but I much prefer to stay with Nikon.<br>

I'm very pleased to see that Nikon returns to the small standar filter size (52 mm) for their entry lenses, that are cheaply built but very good optically.<br>

I'd never buy the Sigma 30, a standard FX lens ridiculously big... but that's a completely different product, the right size and the right price. Nikon did it again, they're not the first to come but when they do something, they do it better.</p>

 

[jos__javier_vicente]

<p>By the way, I think this shows a trend for the future:<br>

1.- No more constant 2.8 DX zooms<br>

2.- The D90 will be the last DX affordable body with AF built-in motor<br>

3.- There will be a cheap replacement for the 12-24<br>

4.- The DX lenses will have 2 standards: filter size 52 for the entry line, 67 for the expert ones</p>

[edwardchen]

<blockquote>

<p>BTW, those who want new 20 and 24 primes, Nikon already makes the updated version: it's called the 14-24 :)</p>

</blockquote>

<p>there is always a demand for lighter (compact/less obtrusive), faster, and cheaper lens than the 14-24.<br />In primes world, f/2.8 is not exactly fast. It's considered slow.<br /><br />there is always an application to use big aperture even in landscape shot. If the subject beyond infinity, i can use f/1.4 as good as f/4, f/8. like arthur's shot above.</p>

<p> </p>