35mm f/1.8 dx lens for Nikon D3400: I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I...

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

rts2568

Hi there FoggyPreacher,

You're in a state of foggy lens confusion? Your retail salesperson will no doubt be hard pressed to sell you a lens at whatever cost. However, they will be better informed about what other lens/lenses you have, we remain ignorant!

We need to understand something about your current kit lens/es to be able to effectively answer your request.

A comment from you about why you are thinking of this 35mm lens, have you a subject in mind? Help us to understand more about, 'why your question'?

Ron

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

foggypreacher wrote:

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

I own this lens. I purchased it last year and paid $197 for it, Brand new. On a crop sensor, you will get a FOV of 52.5mm. I don't own a D500, but there are some uhh members who use this lens on it. I recommend any photographer to own at least one prime lens. This one is an excellent choice. Next choice would be a 50mm f1.8. Good luck.

mr spock Loc: Fairfield CT

foggypreacher wrote:

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

I recently bought this lens as as my first prime for my D3300 and like it very much. Got it refurbished from B&H for
$170 so the prices you quoted seem to be very competitive. You couldn’t tell mine from new.
It was recommended by a pro photographer friend of mine.

CO

Are you going to be handholding the camera a lot? The reason I ask is because Tamron's new SP series prime lenses all have vibration compensation. They also have a metal lens barrel and are fully weather sealed. I purchased the 45mm f/1.8 for my Nikons. I use it a lot for model photo shoots. The vibration compensation helps to get steady shots. The new lenses are the 35mm f/1.8, 45mm f/1.8, 85mm f/1.8, and 90mm f/2.8 macro.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

I’m being an old codger here, but VR on a 35 is marketing fluff and no more ... other than to those who have never learned basic hand held skills IMHO.

My $0.02, YMMV.

sjb3

foggypreacher wrote:

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

When I stepped up from a Bridge to a DSLR (Nikon d5300), the lens you're considering was highly recommended by many of the UHH forum regulars. I bought one new from B&H ($196) and in turn now highly recommend it to you. You won't be disappointed. The very best of luck to you.

Bill_de Loc: US

I have had the lens for over a year. It is excellent in performance, but feels cheap. How it feels has nothing to do with the images. If I lost it, I would buy it again.

Here's a few shots with that lens.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-392851-1.html

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JPL

foggypreacher wrote:

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

If you can get one refurbed for $90 you should go for it. Very little money for a good prime lens. The salesman is actually giving you a good advice.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

foggypreacher wrote:

I have been reading reviews online, and talking with a Nikon saleman at Best Buy about a lens for a prime lens. This is one that he recommended. I have seen the prices for certified refurbished at around $90, to $154.99 and in between. Is this good as a prime lens or are there others than just the Nikon lenses? Thanks to all in advance for any advice.

Dollar for dollar one of the best bargains in the Nikon DX line. Perhaps the 85mm f/1.8 is close.

Joe Blow

As a Canon user, I can't comment on the quality of the Nikon 35mm f1.8. That is a good size of prime though and will be useful in many lower light situations. Later, you might consider adding an 80 or 90mm prime to your collection for portraits if you can find a nice price.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

Way back in film days a 50mm prime was the "kit" lens on almost all 35mm SLR's. It gave approximate field of view of the human eye. As stated the 35mm on a Nikon cropped body has a field of view of 52 1/2mm on a FF. AS an old film shooter It was like going home when I put the 35mm on my crop Nikon. - Dave

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

My kit lenses are Nikon's 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 and 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3. Generally, in and around UHH, and others tell me that a prime lens is a good one to have for all around photography. Besides, I felt I must get another lens, now, and my budget allows for the under $200 mark!

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

I was just looking around the old WWW and Amazon has one of the above lenses with the following:
52mm Wide-angle & Telephoto Lens all for about $210. Is this more fluff or are the extra lenses worth the rest of the bucks.

Also another: Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G DX AF-S Nikkor Lens with 3 Filters + Flash & 2 Diffusers Kit for $240. Same question, or should I stick with the lens only?

Thank you all for the information and advice.

Bill_de Loc: US

foggypreacher wrote:

I was just looking around the old WWW and Amazon has one of the above lenses with the following:
52mm Wide-angle & Telephoto Lens all for about $210. Is this more fluff or are the extra lenses worth the rest of the bucks.

Also another: Nikon 35mm f/1.8 G DX AF-S Nikkor Lens with 3 Filters + Flash & 2 Diffusers Kit for $240. Same question, or should I stick with the lens only?

Thank you all for the information and advice.

The first sounds like screw in adapters, not actual lenses.

The second sounds like a third party selling through Amazon. Amazon themselves are an authorized Nikon Dealer and would be selling at Nikon prices.

If you want opinions on specific deals, provide a link so we can see what you are seeing.

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