Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8g ED

£455/$527 A small lens that’s a smart choice

Something of a latter-day classic, this is a highly popular 35mm prime amongst Nikon’s DSLR fraternity. Compared with Nikon’s new Z series 35mm for mirrorless cameras, this F-mount lens is smaller, lighter and much less expensive at less than two-thirds the price. Both lenses have the same f/1.8 aperture rating.

The ring-type ultrasonic system is typically quick and quiet, as well as enabling full-time manual override. There’s a focus distance scale but it’s of limited benefit for manual focusing, as there are no markings between 0.7m and infinity, and only rudimentary depth of field markers for f/16. Optical highlights include one aspherical element, one ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element and Super Integrated Coating.

Performance

Bearing in mind that this lens is less than half the weight of the competing Sigma, it packs plenty of punch. Sharpness is mostly very good, contrast is excellent, even when shooting wide-open, and there’s good resistance to ghosting and flare.

N-photo verdict

If smaller is better, this is a very appealing 35mm prime, but it’s not the best for build quality or image quality.

Sharpness

Sharpness is excellent at the centre of the frame but there’s a noticeable drop-off towards the corners.

Fringing

Lateral chromatic aberration is very negligible in this lens, even at the very corners of the frame.

Distortion

Control of barrel distortion is merely average, however, it’s uniform in shape and reasonably easy to correct.