Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F/1.8G ED

The AF-S NIKKOR 35mm F/1.8G ED is a fixed 35mm prime for Nikon F mount cameras, covering the full frame. Nikon introduced this design in 2014, so it is an older model today.

On full frame, 35mm gives a moderately wide view. That suits street photography, reportage and environmental portraits, where a person sits within their setting rather than filling the frame. It also serves as an everyday lens for travel, interiors and relaxed gatherings.

The main trade-off is the single focal length. You frame by moving rather than zooming, which suits photographers happy to work with one view.

The lens weighs 10.8 oz (305 g) and measures 2.83 in (72 mm) across and 2.81 in (71.5 mm) long. This compact body is useful when packing a small street or travel kit. A screw-in filter attached directly must match the 58mm thread. Allow space for that filter when packing.

A 35mm view on full frame takes in a person together with their surroundings. Street photographers use it to keep context around a subject. Environmental portraits gain the same benefit, showing the room or street a person occupies.

The F/1.8 maximum aperture gathers a lot of light. That helps indoors, in dim restaurants and on evening streets, before you need to raise ISO. Close to a subject, the wide opening can help the background fall away behind a portrait. Focus placement then matters, because the sharp zone can be thin close up.

Closest focus is 0.8 ft (25 cm), measured from the sensor. Maximum magnification is 0.24x. This range can help with food, market details and tabletop objects. Leave space for light ahead of the lens, and check that the camera does not shade the subject when you move close.

With one focal length, changing position is the main way to adjust framing. Moving also changes perspective, so watch the relationship between foreground and background. Check the view before a gathering where your movement may be restricted. This lens has an optics specification score of 82 out of 100.

There is no image stabilisation in the lens. The f/1.8 opening can help retain a faster shutter speed as light falls. Firm support helps for still subjects in dim rooms, but a moving person needs enough shutter speed for their movement. Check both sources of blur when choosing settings.

There is no weather sealing. Keep the lens protected from rain, sea spray and heavy dust. Avoid changing lenses in blowing sand, and check that the mount is clean before fitting it. Cap the lens before storage.

There is no fluorine coating on the front glass. Remove loose grit before wiping, and check for marks before shooting towards a bright light.

The design includes aspherical elements and low-dispersion glass. Aspherical surfaces help correct distortion and spherical aberration, which matters for the straight lines of buildings and door frames in street scenes.

The low-dispersion glass helps reduce chromatic aberration, so high-contrast edges such as window frames against bright sky are less prone to coloured fringes. The construction score is 31 out of 100.