Midrange Lens Lust on a Budget

[Uncle Frank]

The price for a fast Nikon midrange zoom lens is staggering, with the 17-35/2.8, 17-55/2.8, and 28-70/2.8 all selling for well over $1000. The usual alternative is a consumer grade or a 3rd party zoom, which often entails some degree of compromise in terms of speed and/or image quality.* But if you're willing to use your feet, the Nikon 35mm f/2 is a fab solution.* A stop quicker than the fastest zoom, this little beauty is fast to focus, and renders crisp, richly colored images.* Best of all, it can be had for around $300 brand new


I use a 35/2 as my walk-around lens, and regard it as an 8 ounce gem!* Here's a few shots I've collected in recent days.

The 52.5mm FOV is smack in the middle of the "normal" range, which is suitable for...

florals


trucks


engine blocks


and people.








You might say it's the apple of my eye .

[DavidRM]

Frank,

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

I've had my eye on that 35mm f/2. I'm pretty sure this will be the next lens I buy, probably come summer.

Regards,

-David

[Mr. Pickles]

Pretty neat pictures, all taken from a fixed lens. Might help others decide on lenses. Good post.

[Uncle Frank]

Originally Posted by DavidRM

I've had my eye on that 35mm f/2. I'm pretty sure this will be the next lens I buy, probably come summer.

If you'd like to see more examples, here's a link to my gallery of 35/2 samples.

http://www.pbase.com/unclefrank/35mm

[Uncle Frank]

Originally Posted by Mr. Pickles

Pretty neat pictures, all taken from a fixed lens.

Mr. P., do you remember when every SLR came with a fast 50mm prime? Lots of folks learned to compose with their feet, and never never felt the need to buy another lens. The 35/2 has a FOV of 52.5mm on my D200, and the combo makes me feel like I'm revisiting the Good Old Days .

[Nikonfreak]

Very true... good shots there.

You haven't mentioned the 85mm f/1.8 ....

I've heard that's a nice one as well.

Julio

[Uncle Frank]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

Very true...* good shots there.

You haven't mentioned the 85mm f/1.8* *....

I've heard that's a nice one as well.

It's superb, but not in the midrange.* Its FOV on a DX camera is 127.5mm, which puts it smack in the telephoto range.

My 4-Prime kit consist of

20/2.8 for wide angle
35/2 for normal view
60/2.8 for macros and portraits
85/1.4 for tight portraits and general telephoto work

Here's a few samples from the 85...

[Mr. Pickles]

yeah, I remember 50mm lenses. I have one now, except it is an 80mm now

Funny how back in the day (10 years ago?), 50mm was a normal portrait lens, but nowadays, most think the 50mm or 85mm is a portrait lens, even though they are something like 80mm to 130mm

I'd like a Canon 17-40 f/4 L, but man, $680 is a lot, when I can get a 20mm f/2.8 prime AND a 35 f/2 prime for the same money.

[Nikonfreak]

good point on the FOV of the 85mm....

Old habits are hard to break... LOL

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Fantastic shots!

The 35mm f/2 is starting to look like a feasible remedy to my mid-range problem. I still want a 17-35mm f/2.8 though. =)