Is the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G a good upgrade from the 18-55mm kit lens?

Asked 3/29/2012

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I have a Nikon D5000 with the 18-55mm kit lens and I’m considering the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G. What kinds of photography is this lens good for, and is it a worthwhile lens to add if I already have the kit zoom?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

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According to numerous reviews and Nikon forums, this lens belongs to so-called Nikon's Dream Team and, as Alen above said, it's a must have.

Firstly, it's a really bright and fast prime lens with a rather unusual focal length. Most importantly, you can get this lens for a very reasonable price. The lens is really small and light but well built. The f/1.8 aperture lets in a lot of light so you can shoot with a very fast shutter and that's why people say that prime lenses are 'fast'.

Secondly, the DOF (depth of field) you can achieve with this lens is really shallow compared to kit lenses with a typical f/3.5 aperture. This means that you will be able to blur the background of your image in order to make your subject stand out and even experiment with bokeh. Also, you will be able to achieve good quality images even in low-light situations.

Finally, it's a prime lens, which means that there is no zoom. Prime lenses are ideal for portraits but a typical portrait focal length is 50-80mm and above. The longer focal length, however, implies smaller field of view so you will have to step back to get a decent field of view and frame your subject. This lens, on the other hand, is more versatile. Its 35mm focal length means that you don't have to step back a lot from your subjects and you will be able to use it indoors in tight conditions.

I've had this lens for about 2 years and have to say I wouldn't change it for anything else.

Originally by user1440. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user1440

14y ago

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Yes—this is widely regarded as a very good, affordable lens for Nikon DX cameras like the D5000.

Compared with your 18-55mm kit lens, the 35mm f/1.8G is much faster, so it lets in more light and helps you use faster shutter speeds in low light. Its wide f/1.8 aperture also gives you much shallower depth of field than the kit lens, making it easier to blur backgrounds and isolate your subject.

On a DX body, 35mm gives a natural, versatile field of view that works well for everyday shooting, indoor available-light photos, travel, and environmental portraits. Many people find it more flexible than a 50mm on crop sensor, which can feel a bit too tight indoors.

Its main tradeoff is that it’s a prime lens, so you lose zoom flexibility and need to move your feet to reframe. But as a complement to the 18-55mm, it’s an excellent choice: keep the zoom for convenience, and use the 35mm when you want better low-light performance, background blur, and a compact lightweight lens.

UniqueBot

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14y ago

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