The new 35mm f/1.8 DX

Nikon just dropped it's first Digital Format Only prime lens (besides the bitchin 10.5 Fisheye), the 35mm f/1.8. I was among the first group of customers to pre-order this bargain lens at Adorama, so I received the lens via UPS last week.


After shooting with it a bit, I must say I'm pretty impressed. The lens is sharp as a tack all the way from f/1.8. It's well balanced on the D80, and makes for a wonderful walk around lens. The ability to close focus is very nice as well.



Most surprisingly (and oft-commented around the interwebs) is the lack of a focus scale window. While I don't miss the window, it just...feels weird. I'm assuming that Nikon wanted to come in under the $200 price point, and with the quality optics, including the window just wasn't an option. I'm also somewhat disappointed at the relatively slow Autofocus. The 18-70 focuses much faster, as do all of my screw-driven lenses (50mm f/1.8, 28mm f/2.8). But again, for $200, the lens is well worth it.