I need a smaller (and better) 35mm lens for my FE2

[papo]

I currently have the 35mm F2 D and i am looking for something with that focal length thats smaller and better that this lens. Theres just so much out there, i dont even know where to look and Fred Miranda took down his reviews which was always a good source. Thanks

 

[KoNickon]

Of course, you've introduced a qualitative term -- "better" -- that's going to open up a whole bunch of opinions. 🙂 In the world of Nikkors, there isn't a lot of choice in the 35mm focal length. I won't even mention the 35/1.4 (oh, I guess I just did) because it's larger. I like the 35/2.8 -- overlooked and underrated, and smaller than the 35/2 (not by much), but it's lighter. There are three AI versions. I can't speak to the 35/2.5 Series E.

 

[p.giannakis]

I have the AF 35f/2 and i find it to be a small and light lens made mostly out of (good quality) plastic. I find the optical perfomance of this lens to be excellent.
I don't think you will find anything smaller and better at the same time. Lets see what people suggest.

 

[ddutchison2]

Try the Nikkor 35/2.8. They are cheap like borscht due to their reputation of not being one of Nikon's stellar performers - and they're absolutely not - but they are a great lens, and only fall short when compared to Nikon's most legendary glass, in which case they are merely excellent. I guarantee that you will never lose a shot to poor image quality because of any optical deficiency on the part of this lens.

 

[GMOG]

Richard Haw reviews a bunch of Nikkor 35s as part of his collection of repair articles.

Lens Repair & Review Articles

Lens Repair Articles: Here’s the core the entire site. I intend to have the most comprehensive database for everything related to the repair of classic Nikkors. As of today, I believe that th…

richardhaw.com

 

[papo]

I was looking for something small but mighty like my 50

 

[wlewisiii]

Only thing close to that will be the E series lens: Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5s widenagle lens

The E series lenses I've used have been acceptable but not as good as the Nikkor lenses.

 

[papo]

Only thing close to that will be the E series lens: Nikon Series E 35mm f/2.5s widenagle lens

The E series lenses I've used have been acceptable but not as good as the Nikkor lenses.

View attachment 4841434

Thats too bad, thanks! I guess i'm stuck with the D lens (first world probs haha)

 

[papo]

Wait, what about 28mm focal lenght? Is there something as decent and small?

 

[p.giannakis]

Thats too bad, thanks! I guess i'm stuck with the D lens (first world probs haha)

Is there something you don't like about the D? I have quite a few 35mm from different makers and I consider it to be excellent and compact lens.

 

[p.giannakis]

Wait, what about 28mm focal lenght? Is there something as decent and small?

You do have more options there. Check Voighlander for start.

 

[papo]

Is there something you don't like about the D? I have quite a few 35mm from different makers and I consider it to be excellent and compact lens.

Just size. THats the only thing i didnt like. VOigtländer has a 40mm i believe but no 35 mm . please correct me if im wrong

 

[sojournerphoto]

Just size. THats the only thing i didnt like. VOigtländer has a 40mm i believe but no 35 mm . please correct me if im wrong

Yes, Voigtländer 40mm f2 SL, Sl I and SL is - plus I believe and SL iiN - are all variants of the same thing. Supposed to be compact and good - I’ve been toying with the idea of one, but I’m fond of the 40-45 range.

 

[jaredangle]

Things are probably as sharp as they are going to get with your current 35mm as far as Nikon is concerned. If you're open to 28mm, then the 28mm f/2.8 AIS has an excellent reputation, or you could look into the Voigtlander 28mm f/2.8 or Voigtlander 40mm f/2 as your nearest options focal length-wise, and much smaller size-wise.

As far as 35mm lenses go, I use the 35mm f/1.4 AIS (mostly for low light shooting, but not at all good wide-open compared to 35mm offerings for M-mount) and the 20-35mm f/2.8 zoom at the 35mm setting. I have some shots below to compare sharpness and contrast (please ignore the messy desk). These crops are from the center of the frame (7360x4912 cropped to 1800x1200). As you can see from the stopped-down shots, there is some back-focus on the prime lens compared to the zoom at middle apertures when focusing closely (about 0.7m for these shots, while the lens focused down to 0.3m).

Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AIS

f/1.4:


f/2:


f/2.8:


f/4:


f/5.6:


Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 AF-D

f/2.8:


f/4:


f/5.6:

 

[splitimageview]

I recently compared my 35/2 AF against a 35/2.8 Contax Distagon. I was pleasantly surprised and pleased, the performance and rendering was similar and of course with an extra stop.

Maybe the 35/1.4 ZF would be an improvement at much higher weight and cost. Or a bit smaller, the ZF 35/2, but still considerably larger/heavier than the 35/2 Nikkor.

 

[Dogman]

I'm totally in love with my Zeiss lenses but the ZF/ZF.2 are all larger and heavier than equivalent Nikkors. Very heavy duty lenses that should last a couple of centuries.

The small, good lenses for Nikons that come to mind: Nikkor 50/1.8 AIS pancake, the Voigtlander Ultron SLII 40/2 pancake and the Nikkor 20/3.5 wide angle. I'm sure there are others but those are the ones that I can readily recall.

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

I don't think you're going to find many F-mount lenses smaller or lighter than the 35mm AF-D. That lens weighs around 200 g. The current Voigtländer 40mm f/2 weighs 260g. I believe the older pancake version of that lens weighs about 180 g. The Japanese market Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 AI-S pancake lens weighs about 175 g. Both of those lenses are well regarded but neither is a 35mm and I doubt you would even notice such a small weight reduction. The current Voigtländer 28mm f/2.8 weighs 205 g and is supposed to be excellent, but again no smaller or lighter than the 35mm f/2 AF-D. And not a 35mm.