First, Ill tell you what I did but dont follow because it might be for the wrong reasons.
Also to the others who posted above, wow, GREAT information, REALLY good.
I was looking for a lens to put on my Xmas wish list. I have 3300 with 2 kit lens.
I wanted a prime for simplicity, indoor shots and street shots, maybe 70% outdoor and 30% indoor.
Not at all Formal Portrait shots, but yes, family photos, new baby photos etc.
Anyway, after pulling out my hair between the 50MM and 35MM, I was leaning heavy towards the 35 DX because I wanted a DX lens. I did something completely unexpected, as it fell into my lap as I was researching.
I put a Nikon 40MM AF-s DX Micro on my wish list!
I read countless reviews and side my side direct comparisons, supposed to be a super sharp lens just like the 35Prime with the ok capable close focus, nice to have but not needed per se.
Granted its a 2.8 lens but being I am a perfectionist I most likely would use the 1.8 35mm at 2.8 too, since in the tests, it showed the sharpness of the 40mm at 2.8 far exceeded the 35mm at 1.8/ only at 2.8 did the 35mm catch up to the 40mm. Add in the macro part of the lens for fun except for tiny creatures as the lens will produce shadow at this mm.
Anyway for me, its a slam dunk, fun looking lens for the occasional photographer and truly seems like it is just as good, if not better then the 35 and 50 prime with the exception of that extra Fstop.
AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G