Nikon 35mm lens - difference between these two?

J

Just-Clayton

Senior Member
The D series will only work in manual on the 3100. I have a pre-AIS 50mm lens I use on my 3100. The 35mm/1.8G will work on your 3100 100%. So, if you want the 50mm I would get a G series. Also, to make the choice between the two is decide what your going to shoot. For indoor and scenic shots I would get the 35mm. For close up shots I would choose the 50mm. I would show you a comparrison but, my daughter took my 3100 to Texas. I will get some shots when she gets back.
 
Pierro

Pierro

Senior Member
The immediate difference is the G lens ( 35mm ) is without aperture ring, as are all G lenses, and the 50mm is a D lens, with aperture ring. The 35mm is a lot newer and may have slightly better coatings as technology moves along, but I've had a 50 1.8 D and its an extremely fine lens. You can of course take a slightly wider shot with the 35.

Also the 50 1.8 is an FX lens, so it will work on both FX and DX cameras, but wont auto focus on the cheaper non motorised Nikon bodies. The 35 is a DX designed lens and will not be at its best on FX bodies
 
A

alfaholic

Banned
I sold my 50mm f1.8 D because it is a little bit narrow for DX camera, 35mm is "normal" lens for D3100.
That 50mm f1.8 D is very good, almost no distortion, great for video, but on D3100 35mm f1.8 G is very good for the money, I think something around $200, it has autofocus motor so it will autofocus on D3100.
True, 35mm f1.8 G is a little bit boring because it does not change or add anything, so you need to be very good to get some results.
If you want manual 50mm lens, I sugest to find some old M42 58mm f2 Helios for 10-15$, and M42 to Nikon adapter for $1, on DX you will have approximately 85mm lens, great bokeh, very good optically, just need to focus manually...
 
mobi

mobi

Senior Member
The "Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens" costs £1200 in Amazon.


But "Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f1.8G Lens" costs only £150.


Is there any difference between these two lenses other than one being 1.8 and another 1.4?
 
Pierro

Pierro

Senior Member
The 35 1.4 is a Nano Crystal coat lens, but the 1.8 is sharper wide open than the 1.4 is wide open. As soon as you stop down, the difference is minute.

So really, you could say the huge amount of extra coin for the 1.4 is just for the Nano coating

Also, the 1.4 is huge when sat next to the 1.8
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
mobi said:
The "Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Lens" costs £1200 in Amazon.


But "Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f1.8G Lens" costs only £150.


Is there any difference between these two lenses other than one being 1.8 and another 1.4?
Click to expand...


Well, the 1.4 will cover the full frame FX cameras (D-4, 600, 700,800) while the DX lens will not.
 
E

Epoc

Senior Member
Yes, am actually seriously considering buying the 35/2 as it is well priced. It just would be nice to have a FX version of the 35/1.8 at similar price point to the 50/1.8. The 35/1.8 DX is a great bang for your buck lens.
 
mobi

mobi

Senior Member
Ok, I have now short listed these 3 lenses.


Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f1.8G Lens £150


Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens £164


Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens £92


First question: 35 or 50?




Whether I need 35 mm or 55 mm? What are the pros and cons of each?
(I can only afford one lens)


I guess for D3100, it will be 35x1.5 and 50x1.5. Is that right?


Can I use my 18-55 mm kit lens and set it at 35 and 50 position to see how the composition looks like? or I need to set them at 53 and 75 mm to see that? This is so confusing :(


This will be my 2nd lens besides the 18-55 kit lens. I am buying it for F1.8 so that I can shoot night photos and portraits better. Also, I'd take some outdoor shots as well in the daylight.




Second question - Not relevant if I get 35 mm lens.


But if I go for 50 mm one, what's the difference between 2 versions?


Am I correct in saying


G = auto focus = good for novice?
D = manual focus
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
mobi said:
Ok, I have now short listed these 3 lenses.


Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f1.8G Lens £150


Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G Lens £164


Nikon AF NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8D Lens £92


First question: 35 or 50?




Whether I need 35 mm or 55 mm? What are the pros and cons of each?
(I can only afford one lens)


I guess for D3100, it will be 35x1.5 and 50x1.5. Is that right?


Can I use my 18-55 mm kit lens and set it at 35 and 50 position to see how the composition looks like? or I need to set them at 53 and 75 mm to see that? This is so confusing :(


This will be my 2nd lens besides the 18-55 kit lens. I am buying it for F1.8 so that I can shoot night photos and portraits better. Also, I'd take some outdoor shots as well in the daylight.




Second question - Not relevant if I get 35 mm lens.


But if I go for 50 mm one, what's the difference between 2 versions?


Am I correct in saying


G = auto focus = good for novice?
D = manual focus
Click to expand...

Good Morning!

I will try to shed some light on a couple items for you... in order...

35 or 50?? Only you can really answer that... Yes, you can set to 35 or 50 on your kit lens and look at comp.. Also, look at pictures you have already taken and see what focal length you use the most... I have both and I use the 50 more... the 35 tends to be more for when I cannot back up far enough... I (and others may disagree) prefer the 50 for portrait. BOTH are good lenses..

Yes, effective focal length on your 3100 is 35x1.5 and 50x1.5 because of the DX (crop sensor format)

Regarding the G & D... They are BOTH autofocus lenses, the important designation for you is the AF and AF-S. To autofocus in you camera (and my 5100), you need AF-S which indicates it has the SW Focus motor in the lens. Staring out like you are, I would suggest you stay with the AF-S until you have a bit more experience.

I think I got most... if not, ask some more!! :)

Pat in NH
 
mobi

mobi

Senior Member
Is 50 mm lens of much use in APS-C camera?

It will be 75 mm in D3100 and I don't see 75 mm prime being very popular in full frame cameras (as most primes are usually 28, 35, 40, 50, 85 etc.)

In D3100, 35 mm is 53 mm anyway - so probably 35 mm is only real choice?
 
N

nickt

Senior Member
What is your goal with this lens? I have both. I have the 50 mainly because it is left from my film days, but its a very nice lens. For indoor, casual family snapshots, I prefer the 35. I just can't get far enough away with the 50. Groups of people sitting at a table, etc. are tough with the 50 in small room. You can always get closer in an indoor family situation like that with the 35, but backing up with the 50 can be a problem. Individual portraits, street stuff, public buildings, museums, car shows, ceremonies, things like that; a 50 is great.
35mm on a dx gives the popular 'normal' view, like a 50 does on full frame. 50mm is usually covered by one's short range zoom which might be what's on your camera already if you are walking around in public so maybe why its not as popular. Also if you are using it outdoors, you may not need the higher maximum aperture of the prime. I'm just guessing from my own habits. I play with the 50 around the house for non-people stuff like ebay pictures, projects, etc. But I rarely throw it in my bag to bring somewhere even though it would be great in some of the situations I mentioned above.
 
S

stmv

Senior Member
Sure, I use the 50mm 1.8D all the time on my D7000, a wonderful lens, nice and sharp, and lots of use of an almost short tele, great for portraits, for landscapes, its all in using your feet to frame.
 
mobi

mobi

Senior Member
My main aim is to shoot indoor (party, food, portrait, still life etc.) AND outdoor at night/low light (that's why looking for F1.8 lens). For sunny outdoor landscapes, I'm quite happy with my 18-55 kit lens.

I used the simulator here (as I don't have access to my camera till end of the day) and 50 mm seems like a telephoto!
Nikon | Imaging Products | NIKKOR Lenses Simulator
 
RockyNH_RIP

RockyNH_RIP

Senior Member
mobi said:
Is 50 mm lens of much use in APS-C camera?

It will be 75 mm in D3100 and I don't see 75 mm prime being very popular in full frame cameras (as most primes are usually 28, 35, 40, 50, 85 etc.)

In D3100, 35 mm is 53 mm anyway - so probably 35 mm is only real choice?
Click to expand...

I see you already have some good comments but let me add to that...

The Choice is yours as to what you shoot and how you shoot it!! I suggest you do NOT just see what is popular in Full Frame..

In my mind, just because the 50 (x1.5) does not equal a full frame prime, that does not make the 35 the only choice. It would be a 75 which is close to 85 which is a popular portrait lens..

See what focal length you have been shooting at when you use your kit 18-55!! What you have been shooting at currently will give you a good starting point.

You mentioned portraits and I use my 50 for that indoors... I agree with one of the others, hard to do groups indoors with the 50 and the 35 shines as it does it many landscapes...

Bottom line, go by what you shoot... Let that me your guide... In other words, what will work best for you!!??

Whatever you decide, they are both good quality, thats why I have both... (and I used both this weekend on my indoor shoots!)

Pat in NH
 
A

alfaholic

Banned
I think you should now buy 35mm f1.8 G for more "all round" prime, then after few months of using it buy 50mm f1.8 D as a "portrait lens", yes it needs to be manually focused, but it is very cheap, you can find it for 90 Euro, $120, maybe less.
Yes, I know everyone wants to be serious and professional telling you the right thing, you need to choose your self, but I know how are you feeling, and I know you need a concrete advice, so because I am a D3100 owner, and just few months a go I had the same questions you have now, that is what would I do now.
I sold my 50mm because it was narrow for indoor use, then bought 35mm f1.8 G, but I have Helios 58mm f2.0 for portraits, that is around 87mm on FX, great lens and great focal length.

Look at this, it may help you to decide:

http://tonycorrea.com/blog/2010/09/dx-vs-fx-portrait-lens-comparison/
http://www.btobey.com/nikon/nikon-35mm-18-vs-50mm-18.php
 
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N

NFA Fabrication

Senior Member
I recently purchased the 35mm 1.8 (For my D3200). I am getting a ton of use out of this lens, my other lenses are primarily "Kit" lenses, so playing with this thing, and seeing what it's capabilities are in low light, was pretty shocking at first. I had read that it had good low light performance, but what I was able to get in a room that was very dark, with no flash was nothing less than magic as far as I was concerned. I wish more lenses that were this amazing were in this price range. I am looking at the 50MM 1.8 as my next lens I think. I would say that the 35mm 1.8 is the best general prime lens that the majority of people will get widest usage out of for the cost.
 
E

Eye-level

Banned
I shot this with a fast 50 prime on a DX camera...had to be a long way away from the truck to get it all in about 30 feet...I also have a whole series of bracketed exposures of this go round so I might do a hdr here soon...

 
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