Why is Nikon's 35mm f/2D called wide-angle while the 35mm f/1.8G DX is not?
Asked 8/15/2011
4 views
2 answers
0
I'm comparing the Nikon 35mm f/2D AF and the Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX. Since both are 35mm lenses, why is the 35mm f/2D often described as a wide-angle lens while the DX version usually is not? I'm using a Nikon D7000, so I'd also like to know how each lens behaves on a crop-sensor body versus full frame.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
9
The term DX on the 35mm AF-S f/1.8 indicates the lens is designed for a crop sensor format. On crop sensor cameras, 35mm is not considered wide angle. They (DX lenses) don't produce an image circle large enough to cover a full frame camera. When used on some full frame cameras - they will crop the center out and you effectively still get the same view as a crop sensor camera.
The 35mm AF is not a crop sensor lens and will work on both crop sensor cameras and full frame cameras - although on a full frame camera it will have wider field of view than on a crop sensor camera. Because of this wider field of view, it is considered somewhat wide on a full frame camera.
On your D7000, they will both have the same field of view (not wide, more of the 'normal' range, around the same field of view as a 50mm lens when mounted on a full frame camera). Imagine two circles (two image cirlces projected by their respective lenses), one bigger than the other (the DX being the small circle), but the same size rectangle (your sensor) in the middle of each - just large enough to fit fully in the small circle. They're not magnifying the image more than each other (since they're the same focal length), so the rectangle in the middle is still representing the same portion of the image.
(Rough sketches)
On a full frame camera, leave the two circles the same, but now the rectangle (sensor) is bigger than the DX circle.
Originally by user1917. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1917
15y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The difference is the sensor format each lens is designed for, not the focal length alone.
The 35mm f/2D is an FX/full-frame lens. On a full-frame Nikon body, 35mm gives a moderately wide field of view, so it is commonly called a wide-angle lens.
The 35mm f/1.8G DX is designed for DX/APS-C crop-sensor cameras. On DX, a 35mm lens gives a field of view similar to about 52.5mm on full frame, which is closer to a normal lens than a wide-angle lens.
On your Nikon D7000, both lenses will give essentially the same field of view, because both are being used on the same DX sensor. So on your camera, neither lens is really wide-angle.
The main distinction is:
- 35mm f/2D: covers full frame and can be wide-angle on FX
- 35mm f/1.8G DX: made for DX, where 35mm is normal-ish rather than wide
So the marketing reflects the lens’s intended format and resulting angle of view, not just the number printed on the lens.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI15y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
What are the real differences between Nikon’s 35mm f/1.8 DX and FX primes on a DX camera?
What does "single focal length" mean on a lens?
Why are my Nikon D5300 photos blurry and grainy with the 35mm f/1.8G?
Is a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX worth buying if I already have the 18-55mm kit lens?
35mm or 50mm f/1.8 for portraits on a Nikon D3100?