Author Topic: seeking advice on (relatively) lightweight 35mm lens for travel  (Read 9292 times)

PeterN

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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
Peter

Frank Fremerey

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2016, 10:29:35 »
Is MF an option? The MFs are usually much smaller and lighter than the AFs
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Jakov Minić

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2016, 10:54:35 »
Travel in style, buy a 45P  ;)
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Akira

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2016, 14:25:15 »
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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PeterN

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2016, 14:30:14 »
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.
Peter

Akira

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #5 on: December 08, 2016, 15:12:51 »
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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aerobat

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2016, 15:44:19 »
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.
Daniel Diggelmann

DougB

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2016, 15:49:22 »
There is the 35mm f2.0 AIS which is (of course) MF.
I traveled with it last year for 2 months in Spain

John Geerts

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #8 on: December 08, 2016, 16:29:35 »
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

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2016, 16:35:07 »
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.

Akira

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2016, 16:40:27 »
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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PeterN

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2016, 16:47:34 »
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!
Peter

Bjørn Rørslett

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #12 on: December 08, 2016, 17:46:46 »
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.

chris dees

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2016, 17:47:43 »
Nikkor-OC Auto 1:2.0 f=35mm
Nice little lens and less than 300gr.
Chris Dees

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Re: seeking advice on (relatively) lightwieght 35mm lens for travel
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2016, 18:00:50 »
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.