35mm f/1.4 AI-S lens vs 35mm f/2.0 Nikkor-O

[oldfauser]

I have an opportunity to purchase a 35mm f/1.4 AI-S lens; is it worth the upgrade from my 35mm f/2.0 Nikkor-O that i now have?  I like the one i have, but I have to watch out for bright points of light!

It will be used on a Df...

thoughts?

thanks

Art 

[MILLIREHM]

I would go for it, and it s not that expensive.
i have got a newer 35 mm f/2 AI, (a solid lens), and the 35 mm f/1,4 AI-S and what it does at f/1,4 is unique imho

[Jack Dahlgren]

The 35mm f/1.4 AI works great on my Df. Nice and bright for low light focusing. You can always sell it on if you don't like it.

[richardHaw]

to me, the 35/2 is a much more practical lens but the 35/1.4 is hard to beat when it comes to the rendering 

[Roland Vink]

The 35/1.4 will have higher contrast and fewer flares when shooting into the light, especially against the single-coated Nikkor-O.
If you mainly shoot at medium-small apertures (f/4 - 16) there is little practical difference in sharpness.
The 35/1.4 is bigger and heavier (roughly similar to 105/2.5) but is still a relatively compact lens, it will balance nicely on the Df.

[oldfauser]

when i do use my 35mm, it's usually at f/4 or f/5.6; so thank you very much for the information!

I find myself carrying the 20 or 24, a 50 (i have a few, but the new f/1.8 AF-s kit lens finds it way into the bag more often than not), the 105mm f/2.5 and the AF 180mm f/2.8 ED.  My existing 35 not so often as i like the field of view of the 20 or 24 better than the 35; so i guess i talked myself out of it! 

thanks for all of your comments 

Art

 

[David H. Hartman]

Art,

If you're not likely to use the 35/1.4 AIS wide open you might consider a 35/2.0 AI or AIS. At f/2.0 it's a bright lens. It's quite sharp and l like the performance on my D800 and it makes a great normal lens on my D300s. Then again you might like the 35/1.4 AIS wide open. If you've found the lens at a brick and mortar camera store you might try it out at the store. The 35/1.4 is a lens I've long wanted.

Dave Hartman

I own three 20mm Nikkors so I understand and I'd love to own a 24/1.4.

[Roland Vink]

The AI and AIS 35/2 have the same or very similar optical design as the original Nikkor-O 35/2, except they are multicoated. The better coatings do help when shooting into strong light, but it still may not be the best in that situation. Actually, it's a long time since I used the 35/2 and I don't ever remember having trouble with flare - the images were very sharp and contrasty - but I don't recall shooting into the light with it so I don't think I ever tested this aspect.

For shooting into light the AF 35/2 might be a better option (??) It has a smaller front elements so should be less susceptible to flare, but I have never tried it. This lens does not have the best reputation, but by f/4 and f/5.6 it should be as sharp as anything else. Plus it focuses very close which might be useful.

I don't use 35mm very often, it feels like an awkward focal length in my kit, although I quite like shooting with this focal length. With a 35mm lens the next lens up is 50mm which is too close, and 85mm feels too far - I miss the middle ground. Going wider, 28 and 24 also feel a little too close, I could choose 20mm but then the whole kit feels weighed too much to the wide end. So I generally choose a 24 - 50 - 105 kit instead which feels more balanced.

[oldfauser]

The AI and AIS 35/2 have the same or very similar optical design as the original Nikkor-O 35/2, except they are multicoated. The better coatings do help when shooting into strong light, but it still may not be the best in that situation. Actually, it's a long time since I used the 35/2 and I don't ever remember having trouble with flare - the images were very sharp and contrasty - but I don't recall shooting into the light with it so I don't think I ever tested this aspect.

For shooting into light the AF 35/2 might be a better option (??) It has a smaller front elements so should be less susceptible to flare, but I have never tried it. This lens does not have the best reputation, but by f/4 and f/5.6 it should be as sharp as anything else. Plus it focuses very close which might be useful.

I don't use 35mm very often, it feels like an awkward focal length in my kit, although I quite like shooting with this focal length. With a 35mm lens the next lens up is 50mm which is too close, and 85mm feels too far - I miss the middle ground. Going wider, 28 and 24 also feel a little too close, I could choose 20mm but then the whole kit feels weighed too much to the wide end. So I generally choose a 24 - 50 - 105 kit instead which feels more balanced.

i agree.. i end up with my 24, 50 105 and 180 in my kit most of the time... If i want close, i take my 28mm f/2.8 AI-S - and it does not flare at all

Art

[Fons Baerken]

the 35mm f/1.4 ais is clearly on of my favourite lenses period