Should I get a 35mm f/1.8?

[A/Ox4]

I shoot with a DX camera (Nikon D5300) and have heard the recommendation to get a 35mm 1.8 is a good idea. The lense has nothing but high praises from everyone. I understand this gets close to the 50mm film/FX.

I do have an 18-55, which gives me the option of 35mm obviously. I mostly shoot nature and landscape. No portrait to speak of.

Should I get a 35mm? Will the benefits be realized? What would I expect to see from the lens that I cant get from my 18-55? I know its pretty good for macro, which I do some of, but not a ton.

 

[Raj_55555]

Should I get a 35mm? Will the benefits be realized?

better optical quality and 2 stops better low light ability in itself is worth it, plus you get a nice shallow DOF for portraits. The only thing I'd think in favor of the kit lens is that it's much wider, and a pretty good lens in itself.

 

[goodguy]

Nothing wrong with the 35mm 1.8G, if to get it or not is your coice.
Personally I dont like this focal range so much, I like 50mm 1.8 better but thats me
I would say if you like landscape mybe consider getting the 28mm 1.8, wider lens and just as fast.
Also its an FX lens so if you will ever decide to move to FX you will already have a good wide lens to work with.

 

[Jerry_]

Consider that the 35mm is a full frame lens,so on a DX it will rather behave like a 50mm. (I.e. Not be in the mid-range of the 18-55, but rather close to the high end).

Its glass quality is much better and, as already mentioned, you get two extra full stops.


Now you need to check whether you usually use the wide angle of your kit lens or rather the 40-55mm focal length.
If you find that you pretty often/most use the 40-55mm, then defintely go for it for the sake of quality.

 

[JoeW]

There are several pros (and a few cons) to getting the 35mm DX f1.8....

1. It's a prime lens. Prime lens are almost always sharper than zoom (it's the nature of fewer moving parts).

2. It's a prime lens. You can't just zoom in (like you can with your 18-50). You zoom with your feet (which can be a real issue for street photography). OTOH, that's also a pro b/c when you try shooting with a prime for a couple of weeks, you'll find that it affects how you see the world. You no longer go "hey, that's a cool scene, I'll shoot it!" Instead, you start to compose photos in your head based much more on the focal length. In theory it shouldn't matter (35mm vs. 18-50mm zoom) but in reality it does. Even if you prefer shooting with a zoom, everyone should go a couple of weeks with only a prime (and never removing it) to see how it shapes you as a photographer.

3. It's very small, light, sturdy. It has has a lot of chromatic aberration when you're shooting in to light at f1.8 (so a lens hood matters or you have to watch if you're shooting in to extremes or bright light).

I have one. I mostly use my 50mm f1.4 (rather than the 35mm). But I'm glad I made the purchase and highly recommend for everyone having at least one 35 or 50mm prime in your arsenal. Even if it isn't the default lens for you, it's so small and light that it's easy to haul around (sometimes I'd throw it in a pocket for my jacket when I wasn't going to bring a holster or messenger bag, let alone a backpack).

 

[Solarflare]

Cant speak for others, but my 35mm f1.8 DX was my favorite lens to use when I was still on APS-C (which Nikon calls "DX"). Its sharp and bright.

Its better build than my 28mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.8 (metal instead of plastic), and its even smaller than the 50mm.

Funnily, I can use it on my D600, even. Yes the corners are probably not great (only tried putting it on, didnt actually use it for anything) - but the full image area gets light, its a nice 35mm focal length, and as I said - smaller than even my 50mm !

 

[greybeard]

I have one, razor sharp and fast.

 

[A/Ox4]

I find I tend to use the low end of the 18-55 most frequently. Someone mentioned the 28mm? I didn't know that was an option, I haven't seen it.

I know that the actual focal length is greater due to the crop sensor, which is why I've been told to get the 35mm, because it will behave like the 50mm on a FX

 

[Jerry_]

If you are rather using the wider angles then the 35mm might still be a good lens to have, but you might rather want to look at a different lens.

Check on the Nikon website, this gives you an information about whether the lens is rather foreseen for DX/FX as well as price.

Digital Camera & DSLR Lenses | All NIKKOR Lenses for Digital SLR Cameras| Nikon

 

[greybeard]

For the money, I think the 35mm 1.8 DX is a no brainer. This lens is as sharp as any DX sensor, has a metal mount with a rubber gasket, and is cheap, cheap, cheap. No Brainer.

 

[theraven871]

Normally I would say that EVERYONE should get the 50mm lens as their first upgrade.
But, its more of a portrait lens (on APS-C) than the 35.

If you're shooting mostly landscapes, you'll love the 35mm. Its a huge upgrade over your kit lens.

 

[A/Ox4]

Well that settles it.
I'll get one.

I've got a camping trip coming up and lost of low light pictures will be taken. 2 extra stops will come in handy.

Sounds like this may also make a good astro lense? That's also something I want to dabble in.

 

[dannylightning]

I really like my 35mm 1.8g I get great photos with that lens and its killer for low light.

 

[theraven871]

Well that settles it.
I'll get one.

I've got a camping trip coming up and lost of low light pictures will be taken. 2 extra stops will come in handy.
Sounds like this may also make a good astro lense? That's also something I want to dabble in.

You absolutely can use the 35mm for astrophotography. Set it to infinite focus (best done manually), open the aperture wide and start shooting.
I personally think there are better lenses for astro (if you're willing to spending the money), but this lens can definitely deliver the goods and is the best starting point.

 

[SCraig]

Normally I would say that EVERYONE should get the 50mm lens as their first upgrade.

Personally I would say that EVERYONE should get a lens that suits their shooting style as their first upgrade. If, for example, one prefers shooting wildlife or motorsports a 50mm f/anything as an "Upgrade" is about as useful as a paperweight.