NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => Lens Talk => Topic started by: PeterN on December 08, 2016, 10:16:04
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Hi all,
I am looking for a (relatively) lightweight 35mm lens to be coupled with my D750. I do have the Sigma Art 1.4 lens, but it is rather bulky and I'd like to keep that one at home during travel.
Obviously I could go for the Nikon 1.8G but I am wondering if there a good/better alternatives.
Thank you for your help.
Peter
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Is MF an option? The MFs are usually much smaller and lighter than the AFs
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Travel in style, buy a 45P ;)
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Another vote for 45P, and Cosina/Voigtländer Ultron 40/2.0 may be worth looking at.
If you need AF, 1.8G would be the only option. AF-D 35/2.0 (my favorite on D2H) is too soft on the modern FX bodies.
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Thanks!
45P would be a bit too small for me to comfortable handle. I will look into the ultron.1
Frank: MF is indeed possible. I looked at the zeiss milvus but that one is as bulky as the sigma art, so no option. I saw that the Nikon 35mm 1.4 AIS gets good reviews as well. Finding one for a descent price is another thing.
The Tamron 35mm 1.8 seems to be an alternative for the Nikon 1.8G.
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I didn't mention Tamron 35/1.8 because it is only a bit shorter and even a bit fatter than Sigma 35/1.4, although it is around 200g lighter, and VC should be handy. Nikon 1.8G is way smaller and lighter than Tamron.
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I use the AF-S 35mm f/1.8 on my D750 and really like it.
Sure there are better lenses but it get's the job done.
Weight and size are very well suited to the D750.
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There is the 35mm f2.0 AIS which is (of course) MF.
I traveled with it last year for 2 months in Spain
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If size is a problem, and 35mm the preferred local length, the Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 and f/2.8 (k version) come to mind. I presume the 35/1.4 AIS is too large? That would be my favourite, apart from the Zeiss 35/2
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The 35/2.8 (K) Nikkor is an underrated gem. However, not all cameras will allow easy manual focusing with this lens. It works well on Df and D500, though, but is more doubtful on D800.
If you have clear ideas about the fields of photography you intend to focus (sic) on during these trips, giving sound advice will be much easier.
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The green dot focus aid on my D750 calibrated at Nikon service is reliable enough with my 45P, so the same should go with 35/2.0 or slower lenses.
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Thanks. I will use it for city scenes, landscape, people. For this trip I will bring it to Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hongkong. I won't be needing 1.4. I may bring 1 or 2 other lenses but I am not sure yet (I may add a 100 or 135 to the collection). No need for high speed AF action either. I was also eying a fixed 35mm full frame camera.
Bjorn: does it work well with D750?
John: 35mm 1.4 weighs 400gr so I think that fits perfectly with the D750. The Zeiss is a bit heavy.
Akira: thank you!
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The 35/2.8 K is superb with the Df, so probably would to good service on a D750 too. It has very low geometric distortion as far as wide angles go, another trait in its favour.
Be warned you will need to get hold of an AI-modified (by factory kit preferably) lens.
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Nikkor-OC Auto 1:2.0 f=35mm
Nice little lens and less than 300gr.
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I usually put a Voigtlander Ultron 40 mm f2 on the Df when I need a small package. The 35 mm Nikkor O f2 is also one I use alot. Both lenses work well on the D750 too.
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any thoughts on the 35mm 2.0 AF-D that is still sold new?
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Too plasticky for my taste. Not totally convinced about its optical performance either.
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The 35/2.8 K is superb with the Df, so probably would to good service on a D750 too. It has very low geometric distortion as far as wide angles go, another trait in its favour.
Be warned you will need to get hold of an AI-modified (by factory kit preferably) lens.
Does the K model have the same optics as the AI?
I found the 35/2.0 AI made a superb normal lens for my D300s and I like it on my D800 though I've used AF-D and AF-S lenses more than AI and AIS lens on my D800.
Dave Hartman
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Somewhere along the road the superb 'K' optics (6/6) of the 35/2.8 was replaced by a more mundane design (5/5). Probably shaved off a few $$ in the production costs to please the ever busy bean counters, but th magic was lost.
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There are two AI 35/2.8 models:
The first is the same as the K model with 6-elements, serial nos 851001 - 870063
In late 1977 or early 1978 it was replaced with the 5-element version, serial nos 350001 - 459942. The same optics were used with the AIS version.
Use this as a reference: http://photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html#35
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For travels, I now use a really good little lens : the 36-72mm f/3,5 serie E.(AIS) It is slightly bigger than a 35mm prime but you get more range of focals. It weights 375gr (a manual 35mm nikkor weight about 225gr) and is very sharp.
But perhaps you want only primes ?
Below, an image taken yesteday with DF and this little zoom @36mm.
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The picture didn't like the compression hence these moiré effect.
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I can vouch for the 36-72 as well. An exellent little zoom on the Df.
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I will definitely look into these.
Thanks for sharing your views and experiences! I now have multiple options to look into.
So far I have: 45P, ultron 40, 35 1.4 ais, 35 2.0 ais, 35 2.8 K (851001-870063), 36-72 3.5 E.
It is also helpful to know that the 35/2 AF-D is too soft on the newer dslrs/
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The 35/1.4 any version does well on all cameras. This behaviour extends to the newest AFS model, however, it is no longer conveniently small.
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The 35/2.0 K or AI have a longer throw on the focus ring than the AIS version which may help with manual focus on a DSLR.
I'd be inclined to go with an AF-S 35/1.8G on a D750.
Dave
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The 35mm 1.4 Ais fits the bill, small lightweight, does fine wide open with slim dof as well as stopped down. No need to look any further.
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just wanted to let you know I ended up buying the 35mm 2.8 AI (same optics as K) with serial number 851965.
It came with a working Nikon FE, which I planned to use as a prop for my watch photography. But now I am thinking about buying a few rolls and shoot with it. Just for fun.
Thanks for your help!
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I'm sure the community would love to see some results with that lens in due time ...
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I'm sure the community would love to see some results with that lens in due time ...
I will sharesome results
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Has anyone used the 35/2.8 reversed?
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just wanted to let you know I ended up buying the 35mm 2.8 AI (same optics as K) with serial number 851965.
Congrats on your purchase! I'm also interested in this very optics. Please share some results.
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I just received lens and the camera. Can't test the camera yet but the lens looks good at first sight. However, one thing puzzles me and I can't find the info on that:
when I set the aperture via the ring, let's say f8, I read in viewfinder and top-display: F3. Likewise, 5.6 is. So the total range varies from 0 to 6 (f2.8 to 22, 7 stops). I can definitively live with that. However, I do not see those numbers when I review the image. There it says F--. Am I doing something wrong or are those numbers not stored in the EXIF file?
Am I correct when I think that a CPU-conversion would 'translate' aperture and focal length into approximate values in the EXIF file?
My apologies if I am using the wrong language.
BTW: the arrival of the FE has wet my appetite for the Df again. ;-)
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The read-out is 'Delta' F. Meaning the difference in stop between the maximum (f/2.8 ) and the current setting.
You get F-- on the display because you haven't assigned any data to a non-CPU lens. Go into the menus for that setting. Not familiar with the D750 so cannot provide any pointers except the knowledge the feature *is* present. It is not unmanly to read the camera manual.
Until you do this, EXIF will show 0 mm and f/0 or f/1, depending on the actual software.
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I really feel like a dummy. Thank you. It worked. In the setup menu there is a non-CPU lens item with two variables: focal length and max. aperture. And then the miracle happens: focal length and aperture in display and EXIF. Now I also know why I prefer primes. ;-)
The read-out is 'Delta' F. Meaning the difference in stop between the maximum (f/2.8 ) and the current setting.
You get F-- on the display because you haven't assigned any data to a non-CPU lens. Go into the menus for that setting. Not familiar with the D750 so cannot provide any pointers except the knowledge the feature *is* present. It is not unmanly to read the camera manual.
Until you do this, EXIF will show 0 mm and f/0 or f/1, depending on the actual software.
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Are people less intimidated by a cellphone camera held at arms length with an LED "flash" that blinds them than most any "proper" camera including something like a D810 with a smallish lens.
On a mirror less camera I have a block on Sony due to many product failures with TVs and CD payers. I have good feelings about Fuji no experience with recent camera. I own a Fuji P&S and my best 50mm enlarging lens is a Fujinon-EP 50/3.5.
Dave Hartman
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If small and light is more important than image quality there is the AF 35/2.0D Nikkor. I can't recommend it because I've never used it. It has a simple optical formula that may requires stopping down for useful results. If getting the picture is more important than image quality then it's surely small, light and unobtrusive. The price should be low these days [but isn't].
If a manual focus 35mm lens is acceptable I can recommend the 35/2.0 AI Nikkor from all the way back to my PR days. I've printed many Tri-X negatives and was extremely pleased the lens at f/5.6. I could pass off Tri-X at EI 200 with the 35/2.0 AI as medium format. The 35/2.0 AI was excellent as a manual focus normal lens on my D300s. The AI has a longer throw on the focus ring than the AIS. I would think any 35/2.0 with multi-coatings, O-C, K, AI or AIS would produce excellent results. The O-C and K would need AI conversion for most dSLR(s). The older 35/2.0 Nikkor-O is a fine lens but would suffer some against the sun or strong lights. I owned one, like it but I don't remember specifically it's flare and ghost performance.
All of these lenses use the Nikon HN-3 lens hood which is small and accepts the Tupperware #G tumbler cap which is very convenient.
Dave
Edit:
I just checked KEH.com for prices. They have a AF 35/2.0D in EX condition for $328.00 (USD) with caps. I can't imagine paying that for the lens.
I read the reviews at Photozone.de and Lens Tips Reviews and they were lukewarm. I would not pay a 4th of the price KEH wants. At least it's small and light. :)
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If small and light is more important than image quality there is the AF 35/2.0D Nikkor. I can't recommend it because I've never used it. It has a simple optical formula that may requires stopping down for useful results. If getting the picture is more important than image quality then it's surely small, light and unobtrusive. The price should be low these days [but isn't].
Define image quality and useful results. There is much internet noise about the quality of the 35 f/2D, but i doubt many of the "reviewers" have actually used the lens.
I have it and (used to) use it on an almost daily basis. While there are many lenses that are sharper, especially wide open, it is of good quality (at least the copy i have) and is indeed unobtrusive and light.
Of course, YMMV.
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I use a Nikkor-O 35 f2 and I love the results. I am sure the optics are not the same as the AF-D f2 as well as lack of extra coating.
Th Nikkor-O has a huge front element that requires the use of a shade, also noticed the price of these are starting to go up. :-\