Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX: Hi all. Would a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens be a good recommendation for a Nikon 3000? (I know, entry level camera, but works for now for me). Or, is there a better...

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Hi all. Would a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens be a good recommendation for a Nikon 3000? (I know, entry level camera, but works for now for me). Or, is there a better recommendation for this class of lenses? Your suggestions are always greatly valued.

Thanks

soda

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Don't knock the camera, if it works for you then that is all that matters

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/35mm-f18.htm

Enjoy it

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

Hi. That's a great lens to start out with. I've used it on my D5000 and my D7000. It's the equivalent of the 50mm lenses that used to be regarded as the kit lens. After a while you'll probably freel that you've outgrown it, and you'll probably get another lens, either a zoom or something else. But don't discard this lens, you'll find yourself coming back to it time and again.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I agree it's a great pairing as well based on my experience when mounted to a D3100.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

sodapop wrote:

Hi all. Would a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens be a good recommendation for a Nikon 3000? (I know, entry level camera, but works for now for me). Or, is there a better recommendation for this class of lenses? Your suggestions are always greatly valued.

Thanks

soda

This may be a stretch if you are on a budget but look at Sigma's 18-35MM 1.8 zoom. It blows away most primes.

Go to DPReview and compare it to Nikon, Canon and Zeiss primes. I kid you not.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

That is a great focal length and a fast lens, I think that it would be a wonderful lens. I have never used that particular lens as I am a Canon shooter, but I suggest you get it and enjoy it.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

This is a great lens on a Nikon DX. I had one on my D7000 and really liked it. In fact, it was one of my favorite lens.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

If you shot 35mm film with a 50mm lens it will be like coming back home. The 35mm lens on a crop frame like your camera it gives the angle of view of the human eye. It's fast and sharp. You will never "outgrow" it. You will want to add other lenses or not. The one problem is that on head shot portraits it will distort. Makes for big noses. - Dave

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Thanks to all. Gonna get it! This really wasn't a decision I could have made for myself, due to lack of experience with these lenses. And wilsondl2, I recently learned on Elements how to slightly adjust a nose to make it look smaller. I know, cheating, but it all stays in the family. love this hobby!
Thanks again

soda

RetiredPhotog Loc: South West Ohio

sodapop wrote:

Hi all. Would a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens be a good recommendation for a Nikon 3000? (I know, entry level camera, but works for now for me). Or, is there a better recommendation for this class of lenses? Your suggestions are always greatly valued.

Thanks

soda

Sodapop,

I have that lens on my D7000 and its on my camera more often than not. If I had to pick out one prime lens, this is it. As it was said in another post, it is equivalent to a 50 mm on a 35 mm film camera.

It is an excellent value for a Nikor lens as well.

CurreyPhoto Loc: Reddick, Florida

wilsondl2 wrote:

If you shot 35mm film with a 50mm lens it will be like coming back home. The 35mm lens on a crop frame like your camera it gives the angle of view of the human eye. It's fast and sharp. You will never "outgrow" it. You will want to add other lenses or not. The one problem is that on head shot portraits it will distort. Makes for big noses. - Dave

The 35mm lens does not quite have the same angle of view as the average human eye. The 35mm has about a 64 degree angle of view, somewhat less on a crop frame camera. The average human eye has something in excess of a 160 degree of horizontal angle of view. What is closer to the same as our eyes is the perspective view of a 50mm lens on a full frame camera. That is to say that objects in your picture with a 50mm lens on a full frame camera will have a similar size in relation to one another as they have when you look at them without the camera if you stand in the same place for both viewings. I hope that makes some sence. I haven't explained it very well.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Just clicked the "place order" button. Thanks again for the great, well thought out advice.

soda

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

sodapop wrote:

Hi all. Would a Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX lens be a good recommendation for a Nikon 3000? (I know, entry level camera, but works for now for me). Or, is there a better recommendation for this class of lenses? Your suggestions are always greatly valued.

Thanks

soda

I recently picked up this lens and really love it because it's fast, compact, and sharp. here's some sample pics with it.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Soda / Nimby - the sample pics above show the very narrow depth of field of this lens. As I see it, in each example, one point is in sharp focus but a few inches front or back are not as sharp. It will take some practice to get a feel for throwing things out of focus or changing the aperture to get a broader DOF.

wilsondl2 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska

CurreyPhoto wrote:

The 35mm lens does not quite have the same angle o... (show quote)

Hey The perspective view of a 35mm lens on a crop frame camera is about the same as a 50mm lens on a full frame. It would be the same as a 52 1/2 on a Nikon with 1.5 crop factor. If you go to 2 1/4" sq medium format camera an 80 mm lens give about the same prospective and if you want to go to a 4'"x5" camera a 150mm will give about the same. This is the area of view most people see. Of course some quartebaacks have a wider view and can see more of the field. - Dave