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

Sony E Mount 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

Sony E Mount 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens

Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN Lens (Sony E Mount)

Sigma 19mm F2.8 DN Lens (Sony E Mount for NEX System)

The Sony NEX lens pool is slowly growing.  A few reviews and sites have been recommending the Sigma 19mm F2.8 prime lens as a decently priced prime lens for the Sony NEX system.  The Sony lenses tend to price on the higher side for equivalent prime lens performance compared to the Nikon 1 System or even for the Canon EOS M.

The lens is available currently for around $199.99.  Check out Amazon or B&HPhoto for competitive pricing. Color options are black and silver.  This allows for pairing with the various color NEX cameras.  The focus ring is a bit looser than what you find on a Sony lens but build quality is quite nice based on my initial impressions.  It comes with a lens hood and lens cap.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918897-REG/sigma_19mm_f_2_8_dn_for.html

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-19mm-f2-8-Lens-Sony/dp/B00BPZD0M4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391307922&sr=8-1&keywords=sigma+19mm+f2.8

More thoughts to come after I spend some time with this prime.  For review/testing I plan on pairing it with a Sony NEX-5N.

Nikon 1 Lenses

I've started giving my Nikon 1 another go.  As much as I love my DSLR (Nikon D5100) there is a nice convenience of having a small camera that takes almost DSLR quality images.  The reason I used to bring out the D5100 was for low light photography.  Most of my photographic interaction is with my friends when we're eating, dining, drinking/bar hopping, out on the town.  This normally requires a low light lens.  My latest lens is a Nikkor 1 18.5mm f/1.8 lens.