Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G 2019-12-27

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G 2019-12-27
Product: https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-dx-nikkor-35mm-f%252f1.8g.html

I've been shooting with my phone and a compact camera of late and have made a conscious effort to shoot on my Nikon DSLR a bit more.  Along those lines, I'm going to make a more concerted effort to use a prime lens and force myself to move around a bit more instead of just zooming.

I shoot on Nikon's DX (APS-C) line of cameras so I'll be looking to use the 35mm f1.8G lens for this "homework" assignment.  It's a highly embraced DX lens in the community and is quite economical (sub 200 dollars).  It is a G lens and is made of hard plastic.  As I mostly shoot casually when out with friends the f/1.8 aperture is perfect for low light photography in evenings and allows me to avoid using as much flash.

The lens itself is quite small, very light, and has a lens hood, soft lens cover, and uses 52mm thread filters.  For those newer to the DX line of Nikon cameras, this is the first prime lens to get for most shooters.  You'll read online that 50mm is the preferred lens but that is for full-frame (FX) shooters.  On Nikon's DX line with the crop factor, the 35mm lens is the DX lens that fits the bill best as it approximates the zoom of a 52mm FX lens on your DX camera.  Lastly, 50mm on FX is revered because it most closely approximates the viewing angle of the human eye.

If you shoot Nikon DX DSLR cameras, this lens is one of the quintessential lenses for your kit.
If you shoot on Nikon FX DSLR there is a separate 35mm FX lens.  DX lenses are wasted on FX cameras.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

Nikon 10-24mm F3.5-4.5 G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens

Nikon 10-24mm F3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Nikkor Lens

Ultra-wide 10-24mm lens for Nikon DX cameras gear check

Photos:

Nikon Nikor 18-300mm f3.5-5.6 ED VR lens

Nikon Nikkor 18-300mm f3.5-5.6G ED VR unboxing: 

Nikon J1

Nikon J1 with 10-30mm lens attached

Lately, compact, high quality cameras that claim to be close to DSLR quality have been all the rage.  Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Fuji, etc have all come out with their variations.  I blew some cash on a Nikon J1 kit with two lenses a few months ago and have had the opportunity to play around with it a bit. 

There was something striking about having a white compact camera but thats just my own personal taste.  It comes in a variety of colors for those looking to fashionably accessorize themselves with a camera.

Before the Nikon D5100 which I am currently "borrowing" I was using a Nikon D60.  Its probably one of the best beginner DSLRs out there and for purely photographic purposes its still one of my favorites.  There aren't as many fancy options to play with, there are still a lot but the D5100's menus and options can get in the way if you're trying to capture a photo.

Unfortunately, lugging around a DSLR isn't always an option.  Already as is I'm generally the person who's out and about with a camera but sometimes its just not feasible to go out drinking/adventuring/fooding with it.

Enter the mirrorless compact genre.  I've played around with the Sony NEX 5N (another mirrorless compact and for a true photography buff or someone trying to do more with manual options, that is recommended over the Nikon J1 but that will be in another post)

Strengths:
-The Nikon J1 is pretty compact and its lens locks up into a storage mode to make the profile smaller.  Unfortunately, even when the 10-30mm lens is locked up, it is not quite pocketable. 

-In daylight or bright lighting the camera takes really decent photos.  Nikkor lenses are known to be top of the line and Nikon does not dissapoint. 

-Autofocus and tracking are very quick and photos can be snapped off really quickly.  My biggest issue with the super compact cameras is the fact that sometimes it takes a while to get a photo off.  The J1 is defintiely faster although it still doesn't compare to a proper DSLR but it's close.

-HD Video:  This is one of the key reasons I like this camera.  It takes pretty decent 1080p HD Video.  Something my Nikon D60 can't do. 

Weaknesses:
-Dim, low light settings.  There is less control in manual mode than I would like.  As a $600+ camera you would expect to have much more control over the manual functions.  The options have been nerfed and designed for point and shoot clientelle.

-No manual focus.  The autofocus does a great job but some cool effects and shots opportunities are lost without a manual focus on the lens barrel.

-Lack of an external flash port.  The built in flash is the only flash that you can use on the camera.

-No viewfinder on the camera. 

Overall: 
The Nikon J1 is an expensive, trendy, fancy point and shoot that takes pretty decent pictures and great HD video.  For the average person who just wants to snap up some pictures and shoot some HD video it gets the job done pretty well but might be a bit cost prohibitive.  At least I get some comments from strangers when I'm out and about with it.

Side Profile shot of the Nikon J1 with 10-30mm lens

For size comparison: Nikon J1 next to my iPhone 4.

Nikon D5100

A few of my close friends were in town (Philadelphia) for the weekend.  As they are slightly more tolerant of my hobby of snapping fairly random and candid photos, it was a great opportunity to test out the Nikon D5100. 


The Nikon D5100 has dropped in price recently with the release of the Nikon D3200 and an anticipated update, the Nikon D5200 is most likely pending.  As such, this DSLR can be had on amazon for about $550 with the standard camera kit lens.

Nikon D5100 front

Nikon D5100 side profile

Nikon D5100 with swivel screen

Battery Charger and Battery for Nikon D5100

I had a good time with this DSLR.  It's a relatively serious amateur DSLR.  Nothing near a professional line camera but for the average user there are many functions, probably too many to learn without spending a bit of time with it.

The shutter is snappy, it takes very good low light photos and has a quick continuous mode.  For the average person who wishes to take HD video ocacsionally, this is where the camera shines.  The swivel display is very handy.  Older, lower line models like the Nikon D60 lacked a live view display.  This is not the case with the D5100.  The battery life was superb.  I snapped about 300 photos and about 10 short 1min HD videos and i used up a little over 1/3 of the battery.  (Caveat: I did not use the flash very much)

For anyone considering a DSLR that takes HD Video and is already Nikon committed to lenses, I'd recommend it over the 3200.  Megapixels aren't everything and for the average person the D5100 is more than adequate and is pretty superb in lowlight situations.


Sample Photos:

Washington Sq. Park Fountain (Philadelphia)

Little Italy/South Philly

Citzens Bank Park, Philadelphia

Geno's Steaks, Philadelphia