Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm F 1 8G Review | 54 Data compared

Ken Rockwell calls the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX the best, most affordable "$199" lens for Nikon DX-format cameras. It is highly praised for its fast f/1.8 aperture for low-light, extremely lightweight construction, and internal focusing that prevents dust suction, offering a perfect, "no-brainer" option for photographers seeking a normal-view prime lens. Ken Rockwell The primary limitations include that this lens is designed only for DX sensors and will not work properly on full-frame FX or film cameras due to severe vignetting. Additionally, it lacks image stabilization (VR), and because it is a fixed 35mm focal length, it requires physical movement for framing rather than using a zoom.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G as an exceptionally lightweight, compact, and affordable lens that balances well on DX-format cameras. It features high-quality plastic construction with a durable metal mount, providing fast, precise autofocus via a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and effective low-light performance with its bright f/1.8 aperture. However, the lens lacks a distance scale window or hyperfocal markings, making manual focusing more challenging, and it exhibits moderate vignetting and visible chromatic aberration at its widest aperture. While the front elements shift internally during operation, the lens barrel does not extend, offering a solid build for its budget-friendly price point.

The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G is a high-performing prime lens designed exclusively for DX-format (APS-C) Nikon DSLR bodies. A major highlight of the lens is its Silent Wave Motor (SWM) focusing system, which operates exceptionally quietly, quickly, and smoothly without any race-and-judder acceleration. It features a generous manual-focusing ring at the front that supports instant manual-priority AF override, allowing photographers to adjust focus manually without switching out of autofocus mode. Optically, the lens delivers impressive sharpness across nearly its entire range, with technical testing showing peak sharpness when shooting between f/4 and f/8. Furthermore, its curved diaphragm blades help produce smooth and unobtrusive out-of-focus background elements. Despite its strong performance, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks. The most significant limitation is its sensor compatibility, as the lens is strictly restricted to DX-format cameras and cannot be used on full-frame Nikon bodies. For close-up photography, the lens also lacks macro capabilities. In terms of image quality, testing revealed some visible color fringing on high-contrast targets, which occasionally carried over into real-world photographs, though it was not severe enough...

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 AF-S G DX is a highly popular, inexpensive DX prime lens that mimics the natural perspective of a standard 50mm FX lens on a crop sensor. In terms of pros, the lens delivers an impressive resolution performance at the center of the frame and offers a fast, silent, and highly repeatable autofocus mechanism. It is physically constructed with a properly wide, manual-override focus ring, a metal lens mount, and a rubber gasket seal for basic dust and weather protection. Testing with a 24 MP Nikon D7100 using MTF Mapper software confirms its scientific resolution capability, proving the lens center remains exceptionally sharp before diffraction effects take over at f/16. However, the lens comes with several distinct cons that users must consider. It completely lacks vibration reduction (VR) and suffers from weak corner resolution, showing an overall lower performance in the meridional sharpness direction compared to the sagittal direction. From a design standpoint, it missing a distance scale, requiring photographers to operate without an on-lens physical readout. Finally, the lens is explicitly not recommended for infrared photography...

The Nikon 35mm f/1.8G DX AF-S is a highly compact, lightweight "normal" prime lens that serves as an affordable and versatile alternative to standard kit zooms, retailing for around US$199. Weighing only 7 ounces and measuring a couple of inches long, it balances perfectly on smaller DX bodies like the D3300, though its narrow plastic focus ring can feel slightly rough or "geared" during use. The lens features an f/1.8 aperture that provides a significant three-stop light advantage over standard zooms, an M/A switch for instant manual focus override, and a large image circle that keeps vignetting surprisingly low while delivering remarkably sharp center performance across all apertures. However, the lens does compromise on build quality and lacks advanced features like Vibration Reduction (VR), a distance scale, or depth-of-field markings. While central sharpness is excellent, the extreme corners suffer from modest degradation and require stopping down to f/2.8 for optimal edge-to-edge performance. Additional optical drawbacks include a fairly obvious 2% barrel distortion that requires software correction, clearly visible longitudinal chromatic aberration that fringes out-of-focus areas, a slower autofocus speed compared...

The Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G is a compact, lightweight prime lens designed specifically for APS-C format Nikon DSLRs, providing an effective focal length of 52.5mm that mimics a standard "nifty fifty" field of view. It is highly versatile for portraiture, still life, and low-light shooting, featuring a ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system and a mechanically linked aperture control that ensures backward compatibility with older camera bodies. While its optical construction is simple with eight elements and no extra-low dispersion (ED) glass, it utilizes a Super Integrated Coating to reduce ghosting and flare, and its internal focusing mechanism prevents the 52mm front filter ring from rotating. The review highlights several distinct pros and cons regarding its overall performance and physical design. On the positive side, the lens is exceptionally inexpensive, highly portable, and delivers impressive sharpness across the entire frame when stopped down between f/2.8 and f/8. However, its primary drawbacks include a complete lack of a focus distance scale and mediocre sharpness when shooting wide-open at f/1.8 or at narrow apertures like f/11 through f/22 due to diffraction. Additionally, the...

The DPReview evaluation of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm F1.8G DX rates it a "Highly Recommended" 86% as a capable, affordable, and compact standard prime for APS-C cameras. It offers excellent, sharp image quality when stopped down, fast and quiet autofocus via a built-in Silent Wave Motor, and a robust build with a metal mount and weather-sealing. However, the lens shows some compromises to meet its price point, including noticeable softness and lower contrast when shot wide open at F1.8, alongside significant purple fringing and longitudinal chromatic aberration. Other disadvantages include noticeable barrel distortion, the lack of a distance scale, and a strictly DX-format image circle that prevents full-frame usage.

The Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G is described as an essential, budget-friendly prime lens for crop-sensor (DX) DSLRs, offering a 52.5mm equivalent field of view suitable for versatile, daily shooting. Key advantages include exceptional center sharpness wide open at f/1.8, fast and quiet autofocus, and a lightweight build that outperforms standard kit lenses. Conversely, the lens shows significant corner softness, visible chromatic aberrations, and noticeable vignetting when shot at maximum aperture, with performance improving when stopped down. It also lacks a focus distance scale and produces slightly nervous bokeh in complex backgrounds, yet it remains a highly recommended, cost-effective upgrade.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 35 mm f/1.8G is a highly popular, budget-friendly prime lens built for crop-sensor (DX) DSLRs, serving as a handy 50mm focal length equivalent. LensTip's testing reveals that the lens delivers fantastic image quality and sharpness at the center of the frame even when shot wide open at f/1.8. Its lightweight body features a sturdy metal bayonet mount, an integrated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quiet autofocus across all modern bodies, and stellar performance against bright light with minimal ghosting and flares. Given its excellent quality-to-price ratio, it serves as a highly recommended "must-have" for amateur photographers looking to step up from standard kit lenses. LensTip.com However, the lens does compromise on optical performance toward the edges of the frame to keep the price accessible. LensTip notes poor image quality and softness at the corners when shooting near the maximum f/1.8 aperture, requiring users to stop down to at least f/2.0 for decent edge sharpness. Additional optical drawbacks include noticeable barrel distortion, clear lateral chromatic aberration, and a considerable amount of vignetting. Coma is also quite...