zeissica@yahoo.com

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $275.00 from eBay

Summary:
Since purchasing a Nikon D200 several months ago, I've been researching and considering a "normal" prime lens. I purchased a 28mm f/2.8D but was not impressed by it. I considered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 but have read mixed reviews - and I felt that it was expensive, large and heavy. Although I like my "normal" lenses a bit wider, at about 50 degrees of coverage, it's not as important because I'm moving around a lot when taking photos with a prime lens anyway. I'd read a lot of positive reviews of the 35mm f/2 D so I started looking for one. Let me say this: I'm very impressed with the sharpness, the color rendition and the lack of distortion. It is very compact and seems to be very well made. It feels like something in your hand, rather than the super-light weight plastic lenses out there. It's not quite up to the standards of the 17-55 f/2.8 DX but it's certainly better than most 3rd party lenses. Focus is accurate, and having f/2 is nice in lower-light situations.

Strengths:
Sharp images, accurate focus with the D200, compact, and nicely made.

Weaknesses:
A little expensive for what it is, although it is reasonable considering it's quality.

Similar Products Used:
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8D, Contax 45mm f/2, Contax 35mm f/2, Zuiko 50mm f/1.4.

Customer Service:
Not needed yet.

whymeagain2004

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $320.00 from Local agent

Summary:
sold my nikon 50mm/f1.4 for this. enough said. :)

Strengths:
small, light and unobtrusive.
excellent for available light photography - especially for BnW film. i love to use this on my FM2.
works just as well on my DSLR - giving a 'normal' view of a 50mm lens (after 1.5x crop factor).
lovely colour reproduction and contrast.

Weaknesses:
not the legendary AIS 35/1.4 (can nikon pls update this lens?)
older versions plagued by 'oily' aperture blades, so be careful when buying off ebay.
acceptably sharp at f2, IMO, tho others might disagree.

Customer Service:
none needed.

nikonD200user

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $290.00 from B&H

Summary:
Mechanically, this lens is superbly constructed. No wiggles anywhere, and the automatic as well as manual focus is smooth for this type of screw drive lens. From 2.8 on it's tack sharp from corner to corner. Relatively distortion free compared to my 18-200VR. But wide open, the sharpness falls off dramatically into a dreamy glow. I bought this lens as a low light lens and I was aware that it was not as sharp wide open (as with most lenses) when I bought the lens, but I was shocked at the dramatic fall off with just one stop...far more than any other lens I own. So if you intend to shoot at f2.8 or smaller aperature...you'll like this lens. If you intend to primarily use it as a low light lens, you may well be dissapointed. I returned the lens and ordered the Sigma 30mm f1.4 instead..I'll keep my fingers crossed that I get a good copy.

Strengths:
Sharp f2.8 and up. Mechanically well built. Fast AF

Weaknesses:
Extremely soft wide open...has a dreamy glow look. Noisy AF (but normal for a screw drive)

Similar Products Used:
Nikon 50mm f1.4 D AF
Nikon 60mm f2.8 Micro
Nikon 18-200VR
Sigma 70-200 f2.8 EX
Tokina 12-24 f4

freundez

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $319.00 from B&H

Summary:
I wanted a compact, light weight walk around lens for my D70s, and the 35mm fit the bill perfectly. This focal length is effectively the new 'standard' lens for APS-C sized sensors currently found on all Nikon digital bodies, and is well suited for the task in my opinion. Of my current collection of lenses, this is the lens that spends the most time on my camera - I enjoy its versatility and image quality, as well as the creative possibilities that a fast prime lens can provide.

The lens is able to focus as close as 10" (25 cm), and can be used as a close-up lens in a pinch with good results. http://thefreunds.smugmug.com/gallery/1296520/1/66400882

I will admit to being somewhat disappointed with the lenses performance wide-open. You really need to stop down to f/2.8 or greater to get usable prints.

Strengths:
Versatile focal length for a variety of shooting styles

Fast aperature allows for handheld shooting in limited light

Small and compact - great for traveling

Snappy AF speed on my D70s

Great image quality when stopped down to at least f2.8

Handles CA and flare well

Weaknesses:
Quite soft at f/2

Not as fast as the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (but a lot lighter)

Similar Products Used:
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Price Paid:  $320.00 from B&H Photo

Summary:
Surprisingly poor for a Nikon lens. I might have received a bad unit, but the glass and inner blades were perfect. On my D2X it did not perform as well as expected. In the gym where I shoot it was not very sharp at all below f/4. Other lenses from Nikon usually do well at even the largest apertures... this is not the case here. The lens also produced ghosting and even aberations around light fixtures. The whites where incredibly skewed. Every white tone looked like a reflective road sign... very bright and very, very soft. I adjusted shutter speed, ISO, and white balance without any correction. My other lenses do not do this. Again, it could be a bad unit or at least it cannot perform at fast speeds under certain lighting conditions. As a portrait, sports, and wedding photographer I cannot have this lens in my bag if I am uncertain of how it will perform. This lens may work well outdoors, but that is too limiting for me.

Strengths:
Very Small
Very Light
Not too expensive but the faster 50mm is about $100 less (considering it is a Nikon)
52mm = cheaper filters

Weaknesses:
Very poor optical quality on my D2X (not sure if this is specific or general)
Plastic threads... be careful
Not incredibly sharp
Should have performed better for a Nikon
Not that you really need it, but does not ship with a lens hood - $15 extra
Focusing seems a bit off as well (?)

Similar Products Used:
No primes used at this focal length. Sigma offers a 30mm f/1.4 HSM. Everything else is slower.

Customer Service:
Not needed... I'm sending it back to B&H.