35f1.8G Vs 50f1.8G

D12345678

D12345678

Senior Member
I've just acquired both of these lenses, so this isn't a question about which choice is best. Only picked them up today and did some quick test shots around the yard, brick wall etc... Firstly I was shocked by how silent the auto focus was with the 35:) and impressed by the close focus distance. I should have bought one of these years ago! next up tried the 50 and it seemed good, not quite as silent as the 35, but everything seemed fine and similar to my 50f1.8D.
Both lenses tested on a D7100.

Then looking at the full size images it was immediately clear that the 35 shots were sharper than those taken with the 50. Not by a long way, but it was definitely noticeable. Same settings were used, ISO 200 & 5.6, with different shutter speeds. So I'll do more testing tomorrow in better light and also try the 50 on my D610. So does anyone own both lenses and use them on their DX camera?
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
I used a 35mm 1.8 DX on D5100, and I can guarantee that it just cannot match the sharpness of the 50mm 1.8G or D. On the other hand, it exhibits a lot more barrel distortion and vignetting (which only comes naturally, since those 50mm babies are made to cover FF). And, of course, both 50mm flavors have better bokeh (than 35mm f/1.8). What might confused you is the focus - probably they did not focus at the same spot of the (same) subject...
 
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D12345678

D12345678

Senior Member
Yes I agree the 50D is exceptionally sharp and so I expected the same results from the 'G' as well? Anyway I will take some more shots in good light tomorrow and see what happens. Maybe I was slightly too close to my subjects or there could have been a very tiny amount of camera shake, showing up on the 50 more as its a longer focal length than the 35.
 
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WhiteLight

Senior Member
I've had the opportunity to use both & i must agree with you.
I find the 35mm 'better' ever so slightly on my DX bodies..
Not sure if the 50 performs better on Fx, but i would choose the 35 anyday for DX
 
D12345678

D12345678

Senior Member
Spent quite some time this morning, taking shots with the 35g, 50g and 50d on the D7100 and have reached this conclusion:

Order of sharpness;
50 f1.8D
35 f1.8G
50 f1.8G
 
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DraganDL

Senior Member
Funny thing is: this 50mm 1.8D is so SMALL, lightweight, focus-wise accurate and fast, razor sharp, with a butter-like bokeh, yet INCREDIBLY cheap (here, in Serbia it sells for 120$-130$ brand new!). Great lens!
 
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aroy

Senior Member
D12345678 said:
Spent quite some time this morning, taking shots with the 35g, 50g and 50d on the D7100 and have reached this conclusion:

Order of sharpness;
50 f1.8D
35 f1.8G
50 f1.8G
Click to expand...
Though I do not have the 50mmG, I agree that the 50mm D lense is sharper than the 35mm G. The difference is not all that much. The 50mm D lense has a better micro contrast, hence images feel much sharper than they really are, but that is what we want. The 50mm D has less distortion compared to the 35mm G and the 50mm G.

Here are DXO ratings
Nikkor AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D on Nikon D3300 versus Nikkor AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G on Nikon D3300 versus Nikkor AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G on Nikon D3300 - Side by side lens comparison - DxOMark
 
D12345678

D12345678

Senior Member
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Bukitimah

Senior Member
The 50 mm D is very sharp and a great lens. My only complaint is it is not wide enough for DX. 35 mm would be preferred in my opinion. I hardly use it but still keep it keep.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
I am on a holiday and have brought only two lenses - 18-55 for tight spaces and 35 for low light. The 35 is very sharp.
 
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Elliot87

Senior Member
I'm considering these three lenses as a first prime. If 50 1.8D really is the sharpest, it doesn't seem to make sense to pay the extra bucks for one of the others. More money left in the bank for a macro.
 
D12345678

D12345678

Senior Member
Well that comparison was only my experience with my D7100, so others may have experienced different results, possibly? But if you're trying to decide which one to get for your D3200 then bear in mind that the 35mm DX lens will probably be much more useful overall than either of the 50mm lenses, which can't focus as close to a subject as the 35mm and they also work out to be similar to a 75mm focal length lens on a DX camera. Sharpness aside, if I was choosing just one good prime lens for a DX camera than it would still be the 35:)
 
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