Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens - Do you have pictures taken with this lens?

[MiFleur]

While dreaming of buying this lens, I would like to see pictures taken with it and know how satisfied you are.
Do you find that it focuses fast enough? is it worth the price? Is there any distortion?

 

[Trever1t]

look on Flickr, you can search by lens type there. That said I've never used one but it is a well renowned lens among wedding photographers.

 

[myko5]

You might want to research the new Sigma 35 1.4 DG A lens. Its only $899 new, and considered sharper and better then the nikon version. I have no personal knowledge of either, but keep reading unheard of reviews for the sigma.

DxOMark - Compare lenses

 

[Helen B]

You might want to consider the new Sigma 35 mm f/1.4 instead of the Nikkor - it's cheaper and better, by most performance metrics. It seems to have some focus quirks, and I would hold off a while to let Sigma get some bugs worked out.

 

[Derrel]

I tested out one very briefly. I have in the past, owned two differnt Ai 35mm 1.4 manual focus Nikkors. Sold 'em both. My biggest gripe with the 35mm f/1.4 AF-S was strong longitudinal chromatic aberration at wider f/stops, meaning that the lens creates strong fringes of color in front of, and behind, the actual point of sharpest focus. Objects behind the point of focus have a green fringing; objects in front have a sort of purple-ish/magenta-ish color fringing. Unlike lateral color fringing, longitudinal chromatic aberration is NOT, I repeat, is not, correctable in software. Now, some scenes would not show this, but I wanted the lens for use nearly wide-open and at close distances, for situations where this kind of behavior would be very noticeable, and for me, unacceptable. Now, many people do not "see" that issue...it just simply does not register with many people. And, if shots are made in some situations, this defect will not appear. The Canon 85mm f/1.2-L suffers from this same problem, as do MANY otherwise fine,fine lenses.

The Nikkor's strong suit is fast aperture and good background bokeh; the Sigma is sharper than the Nikkor, yes, but has harsher background rendering which is, I think unacceptable for "scenic" or landscape use, or even environmental portraiture use. I didn't feel that I could justify the $1,600 used cost of the 35/1.4 Nikkor, since I currently have a 35/2 Ai-S and a 35/2 AF-D, and I like the AF-D model for its utterly SMALL size and ease of carry, AND for the way it is totally non-threatening in social situations.

The thing about ultra-speed lenses like 50/1.2, 85/1.2, and 35/1.4 primes is that they are BIG. Great big, imposing lenses. I've found that "big-ass lenses" make a lot of people feel tense....they see that monster lens pointed at them, and they feel almost violated...it ruins many pictures of "regular people". people who are used to having a camera pointed at them, ie, photo-people and their friends and families, might be a bit less annoyed.

 

[MiFleur]

You might want to consider the new Sigma 35 mm f/1.4 instead of the Nikkor - it's cheaper and better, by most performance metrics. It seems to have some focus quirks, and I would hold off a while to let Sigma get some bugs worked out.

I am not ready to buy yet, just gathering as much information as I can. thanks for the info, it is indeed helpful. It may take a year before I get there, I guess by that time, sigma will have worked out the bugs.

 

[MiFleur]

I tested out one very briefly. I have in the past, owned two differnt Ai 35mm 1.4 manual focus Nikkors. Sold 'em both. My biggest gripe with the 35mm f/1.4 AF-S was strong longitudinal chromatic aberration at wider f/stops, meaning that the lens creates strong fringes of color in front of, and behind, the actual point of sharpest focus. Objects behind the point of focus have a green fringing; objects in front have a sort of purple-ish/magenta-ish color fringing. Unlike lateral color fringing, longitudinal chromatic aberration is NOT, I repeat, is not, correctable in software. Now, some scenes would not show this, but I wanted the lens for use nearly wide-open and at close distances, for situations where this kind of behavior would be very noticeable, and for me, unacceptable. Now, many people do not "see" that issue...it just simply does not register with many people. And, if shots are made in some situations, this defect will not appear. The Canon 85mm f/1.2-L suffers from this same problem, as do MANY otherwise fine,fine lenses.

The Nikkor's strong suit is fast aperture and good background bokeh; the Sigma is sharper than the Nikkor, yes, but has harsher background rendering which is, I think unacceptable for "scenic" or landscape use, or even environmental portraiture use. I didn't feel that I could justify the $1,600 used cost of the 35/1.4 Nikkor, since I currently have a 35/2 Ai-S and a 35/2 AF-D, and I like the AF-D model for its utterly SMALL size and ease of carry, AND for the way it is totally non-threatening in social situations.

The thing about ultra-speed lenses like 50/1.2, 85/1.2, and 35/1.4 primes is that they are BIG. Great big, imposing lenses. I've found that "big-ass lenses" make a lot of people feel tense....they see that monster lens pointed at them, and they feel almost violated...it ruins many pictures of "regular people". people who are used to having a camera pointed at them, ie, photo-people and their friends and families, might be a bit less annoyed.

Thanks Derrel, to me the bokeh is important, but the f 1.4 aperture is also crucial. I already have 3 lenses with a F2.8 max aperture. But I agree with your point that a lot of people freeze in front of a bigger lens. I have seen that with my Nikon 70-200 F2.8 which I love very much. I will check more of the sigma 1.4 pictures to compare....

You are making me want to inquire more about the 35 F2's. quality wise are you satisfied with both of your 35 mm lens? with your experience did you notice any particular strength or weaknesses other than size?

 

[newhavennick]

I'm selling one here in the 'marketplace' I have several Nikon item s I'm selling including the 35 and 85 G f1.8 lens which are both hardly used and only a few months old, fantastic lenses but my M240 has arrived.