Nikon's AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens is a super-fast lens in a classic wide-angle focal length. Its f/1.4 aperture allows you to shoot with your camera handheld in low-light situations, perfect for weddings, reportage, and street photography. You'll also be able to achieve a very narrow depth of field when shooting wide open, creating a dramatic separation between your subject and background.
The lens features a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quick, quiet, and accurate autofocus. Its Rear Focusing (RF) system ensures that the front element won't rotate during focus, making it possible to use a circular polarizing filter with the lens. Two focus modes are available -- M/A and M. M/A mode uses autofocus up until the point where you move the focus ring, allowing you to fine-tune focus manually. M mode is lets you manually focus the lens -- perfect for the aspiring Cartier-Bresson.
The optical design of the lens is something to behold. It features 10 elements in 7 groups, with a single aspherical element that eliminates coma and other types of aberration -- even when shooting wide open. A nine blade aperture smoothes the out of focus background of an image, delivering bokeh that is extremely pleasing to the eye and separating your subject from the background.
The lens features Nikon's exclusive Nano-Crystal Coat, which minimizes flare -- even in backlit situations. It is also coated with Nikon's Super Integrated Coating (SIC), which further aids flare reduction and improves color consistency.
The lens can be used on Nikon FX and DX DSLRs. It is a "G" series, which means that there is no physical aperture ring -- the aperture must be controlled by the camera. When used on a DX camera, the lens provides the equivalent field of view of a 52.5mm lens in the 35mm format, emulating a classic "nifty-fifty" normal lens.
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Focal Length | 35 mm |
| Aperture |
Maximum: f/1.4 Minimum: f/16 |
| Camera Mount Type | Nikon F |
| Format Compatibility |
Nikon FX/35mm Film Nikon DX |
| Angle of View |
63° DX Picture Angle: 44° |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 11.76" (29.87 cm) |
| Magnification | 0.2x |
| Maximum Reproduction Ratio | 1:5 |
| Groups/Elements | 7/10 |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
| Features | |
|---|---|
| Image Stabilization | No |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| Tripod Collar | No |
| Physical | |
|---|---|
| Filter Thread | 67 mm |
| Dimensions (DxL) | Approx. 3.27 x 3.52" (8.31 x 8.94 cm) |
| Weight | 21.2 oz (601 g) |
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I bought this for shooting weddings and being able to take photos in tight spaces, during the reception and dancing.. without being too wide. I love the way it shoots, it's quiet and focuses fast! I also shot a wedding outside while it snowed and it worked just fine and it survived the snow falling on it, etc.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I enjoy an up and in your face style of photography. But only with people I am comfortable with. I also enjoy shooting bands in small public venues where the light is often non existent. I own the 24mm f1.4, 50mm f1.4, 85mm f1.4, plus the three zooms, 14-24mm f2.8, 24-70mm f2.8, and 70-200mm f2.8. So why another prime? Because there is nothing on the planet like a Nikor f1.4 lens, even if you already own f2.8 glass. The zooms allow me flexibility where I can't move around much, or just too lazy to move (knee problems). Shooting indoors with the extra 2 stops of light gathering capability is a life saver when you don't always have the steadiest of hands. I love the 24mm focal length for adding that unique perspective. At times I find it a bit wide for people shots, depending on how close I am to the subject. The 35mm gives me that perfect sweet spot of going wide, but not being too wide. And the bokeh is so, so, dreamy, as with the other f1.4 lenses. Yes, it is pricey. But good glass has never been cheap. So if you can wait and save for a top of the line lens versus a third party knock-off, put you money on this glass. Long term I think you will be happier with the decision.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
So far I have no complaints. It immediately became my go-to lens. The detail and color are amazing.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Great lens overall. In combination with my D3s I can now shoot cities by night hand held.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I love this lens, if you got the money go for it
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Lucky enough to have some nice lens from Nikon : AFS 24mm f/1.4, AFS 50mm f/1.4, AFS 85mm f/1.4, AFS 70-200mm VRII f/2.8, AFS 17-35mm f/2.8 and now the 35mm f/1.4. this one is now my favorite when I shoot in street. light weight, small size, sharp optics. AF is not so fast than my AFS 17-35mm for example. a very good lens in line with the others last fast lens from my favorite japanese manufacturer.
I live in France and buy my gears to B&H via www. because the best price of this AFS 35mm f/1.4 in my country is 1899 € (2693 US$!!!)
thank B&H for being honest with your client !!!
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
35mm is my favorite focal length for a general use prime. 35mm on my D700, 52.5mm on my D90. This is the reason why I had decided to invest in this lens.....and it is totally worth every penny of it! I've had several 35s in the past, a 35/2 AF-D, 35/1.8 AF-S, Tokina 35/2.8 Macro. Not one of them comes close to this lens and despite being 1/5th to 1/6th of the price, I will never go back to those. This 35/1.4G lens just seems to make great shots so easy. Tell it what to do, it does it, no surprises! Bokeh is heavenly, sharpness is excellent. Highly recommended!!!
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I am a D700 portrait photographer who typically shoots with my 'Nifty 50mm 1.4' (I adore that lens as well!), but recently saved up and splurged on the 35mm 1.4. What an amazing lens!
Crystal clear from end to end. No vignetting at all! I expected there to be a slight distortion from the wider angle, but have found that is NOT the case. I love it! It's quickly becoming my new go-to lens!
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
A solid lens for any wedding and portrait photographer. Pricey but so worth it.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
This is a wonderful prime and great for group portraits, full body portraits, some landscape shots and mostly all low light situations. It performs as good as my 85 1.4 and did not disappoint in any way. The only possible improvement would be if it used 77mm filters as most of the other pro lenses from Nikon.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
This lens is sharp, sharp, sharp. I'm a former Canon shooter who owned a 35L that I LOVED. Switched to Nikon due to 2nd shooting with wedding photographers that were Nikon shooters. I had considered going back to Canon because I missed my 35L so much. I decided I'd give the 35G a try. I'm glad I did!
Build quality is impressive, manual focus is superb, autofocus is accurate, and the lens is jawdropping at f1.8 and lower. Optically superior to my old 35L (as it should be. It's newer and considerably more expensive.) Plan on keeping this one for a LONG time.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Do I wish this lens had edge to edge framing without any "wide angle effects" sure, Do I wish it focused as fast as my 70X200 2.8. Without doubt. But the truth is... I love this lens. Like most glass from Nikon you get what you pay for and this lens is not for the faint of heart being on the near side of 2 G's. What it does have. Outstanding bokeh, and a nice job of handling the white backlighting effect I often employ to get superwhite backdrops. Even though I could have gone for my old 50 1.4D in some shots I preferred to take a step or 2 forward and make use of the incredible sharpness of this lens and flare resistance this prime offered in studio. I love my trusty 17X35 2.8 but if a 35 prime will fit your subject matter you may find this lens indispensible. I Do.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Love it! Just what I needed, I could have done without the price, but it's a nikon and you pay for what you get. Well worth it. Moved from the 24mm 1.4 cause i felt itnwas too wide and this focal length is just perfect!
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I did quite a bit of soul-searching about whether to take the plunge into prime lenses -- looked at numerous image samples of Nikon 1.4g primes - 24,35, 85, and concluded that the 35 1.4g best suited my needs. I have no regrets whatsoever, in fact it may be the best lens I've ever owned. It is very sharp, has a nice bokeh, and excellent color and contrast. It's great for all types of photography -- portraits, landscapes, night, street, etc. I see very little not to like about this lens -- it does have a lot of vignetting at f1.4 (not unexpected) but this is easily fixed in Photoshop or automatically by NX2 if you shoot raw.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I have to say this lens focus is consistent and right on all the time. I get sharp results at f/1.4 and stopped down to f/2 this lens is superb on my D700. I bought this lens and I don't regret it! It's a great wide lens for portraits. Great lens for weddings. If you are not sure, rent it before buying it. Great lens, you will forget how much you paid for once you start using it ;).
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Obviously a wide angle low-light tool. I use it with a D700, and the combination of high ISO (2000-3200) and wide aperture (f1.4) make this lens remarkably versatile for hand-held shooting. It can capture images where you can't even see very well.
The lens is sharp at f1.4, and can be used at any aperture with impunity. Unlike the prior generation 'D' Nikkors, where you realized that the corners would get soft at maximum aperture, and there would be a veiled loss of contrast, this new G AF-S lens sparkles all the way to wide open.
Lens is solid, professional, and has excellent manual focusing feel with no backlash play at all. The hood is also very nice. I guess the only downside is that is is rather large, but that does not bother me at all.
I will be getting the other 41.4 'G' Nikkors ASAP.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
I've used this lens everyday since it arrived and I love it. It's a solid lens and the glass is fantastic. Definitely a must for every working photographers kit.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
This is a fast lens with crystal clear images. I love the results I am getting indoors, especially in low light situations such as wedding receptions. I was eager to get this lens and now that I have it I have rarely taken it off my camera.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
Background note:
Not sure how to answer the "describe yourself" portion here - I know it matters to me sometimes when I'm reading reviews - but I reserve the pro catagories to for money making endeavors - which I currently am not. On that note I'm shooting from a low of 50 to a high of 1000 pics during an event. A few times a week at least. I do studio, event, and general field based photography which requires a fast turn around and durable equipment.
Been involved with images to include video since the late 80's.
On this lens:
I'm doing military photography and am currently subjected to harsh terrain and overall conditions when I shoot. The quality and build requirements of all my equipment must be, and actually make me feel as if it is ready for the task - or I won't use it confidently.
This lens, compared to the other F1.4 primes I also have (24mm (same), 35mm (this post) 50mm (plastic feeling), 85mm (same)) feels durable, tough and has a nice weight to it which is easier to handle than something light and dinky.
When fumbling around for a lens in a UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter with its doors open and the rush of wind blowing against your body (ripping anything that is not strapped to you off - like sunglasses), and when getting in and out of a location where you don't have time to stop and tuck everything away nicely, and when trying to keep up with an event that is showing you no mercy regarding the framing of your shot, or positioning of your equipment, all you have is your handling technique, hopefully a good case and the durability of the equipment you have on you.
Bangs, hard surfaces, asphalt, rocks, dust - dust and more dust, sand storms and wicked heat (like opening the oven in your kitchen)- all exist out here in Iraq and is what I'm subjecting my Nikon gear to where after shooting out in the field during the day. Where my equipment stays warm to the touch after I finally get an opportunity indoors to transfer images to the computer.
On a comparative note. I've mentioned the 50mm lens here, and I'm sorry to say I am still debating on returning it on principle because it is way different compared to the others in terms of build quality, weight, I mean the 50mm feels like a kit lens. But since it fills the gap between 35mm and 85mm in the F1.4 range, I'll probably end up keeping it. But it won't come with me anywhere out in the field.
And I say that to say this. I'm sure the 50mm lens shoots well, but just because of its flimsy feel, it's going to stay indoors.
But if I'm going to shoot something in the field (literally in this case) I'll bring the solid build gear - and this lens will suit that need.
It shoots confidently, and does not inhibit but encourages me to shoot with it.
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Comments about Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G Wide-Angle Lens:
all can i say..if you want a lens for lowlight...this is the lens...its real sharp..and get high quality images..love..its the father of the 24-70 and the big brother of the 28 1.4....really
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