Nikon 35mm f2 (on ff body)

UaeExile

UaeExile

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I've been looking for a walk around lens for my D750. Something I can use for travel and street photography and I was considering an old 35mm f2.

Does anyone still use this lens? I can pick one up for a reasonable price on the second hand market but wondered what others thought of it before I pull the trigger?

If not I can always look at a nifty 50 but I prefer the 35mm field of view.
 
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I've looked at this lens before but wasn't sure is it a DX lens?
 
I had one on my D610, was never blown away by it, but it was an ok lens. May have been a bad copy but it wasnt great wide open.

Much prefer the 1.8g FX but it is far more expensive!
 
JJ! said:
I had one on my D610, was never blown away by it, but it was an ok lens. May have been a bad copy but it wasnt great wide open.

Much prefer the 1.8g FX but it is far more expensive!
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I get the impression that your copy might have been the norm and that wide open it's generally not the best when compared to some of the newer G lenses.

I'm also considering the 1.8 fx, but I have a feeling that if I do I'll lust after the 1.4 badly. Whereas the f2 will only ever be a lens for fun, rather than paid work... Hmmmmm
 
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UaeExile said:
I get the impression that your copy might have been the norm and that wide open it's generally not the best when compared to some of the newer G lenses.

I'm also considering the 1.8 fx, but I have a feeling that if I do I'll lust after the 1.4 badly. Whereas the f2 will only ever be a lens for fun, rather than paid work... Hmmmmm
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I also had the f1.4g on loan for a week and prefer the focus speed and lightness of the 1.8g. The difference in IQ was questionable, the 1.8g sharper but the 1.4g maybe slightly better backgrounds. Of course if you want f1.4 there is no comparison!
 
JJ! said:
I also had the f1.4g on loan for a week and prefer the focus speed and lightness of the 1.8g. The difference in IQ was questionable, the 1.8g sharper but the 1.4g maybe slightly better backgrounds. Of course if you want f1.4 there is no comparison!
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I really wish Nikon just did a really stellar, reasonably priced lens for street/travel.
 
UaeExile said:
I get the impression that your copy might have been the norm and that wide open it's generally not the best when compared to some of the newer G lenses.

I'm also considering the 1.8 fx, but I have a feeling that if I do I'll lust after the 1.4 badly. Whereas the f2 will only ever be a lens for fun, rather than paid work... Hmmmmm
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I have the 1.8fx and it rarely leaves the camera body. My lusting after the F1.4 is purely GAS, the 1.8 isn't lacking anything at all.
 
I have this lens and a D750, and, it's more than good enough. Sharper than the nifty fifty(which I also have). And, I often use the 35mm f2 over the Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art lens.
 
Solo man said:
I have that lens too... but, I don't think I 'see' very well with that lens length.
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That's something people overlook when selecting lenses. They often go fo the sharpest, or the one with the creamiest bokeh, even if it's a focal length they don't get on with. I feel at home with 28mm on the front of my camera.

UaeExile said:
$70 is hardly in the same price brackets as the f2 or 50's.
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You'll not lose much if you try a 35 f2 and sell it on if youdon't like it.
 
minnnt said:
I have NEVER known you be so tight as these last few days. You LOVE spending normally.
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Before I was a reasonably well paid (almost) diplomat. Now I'm a skint photographer :D
 
I had a 35mm F2 when I used my D70, but when I got my D700 I was distinctly underwhelmed by it so sold it. Sure it was small and compact, but the D700 body isn't so the whole ensemble felt a tad unbalanced. I've not tried the 1.8G version, but I've got the Sigma Art 35mm which is stunning, but just a little heavy.
 
I have a mint, boxed 35mm f2 available now, having sold my d750 and ordering a new fz2000
Let me know if your interested.
I found it to be compact, far better made than the newer alternatives, and produced excellent results.
 
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