35mm f1.8 or f2

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Geoff
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I'm pinned on the horns of a dilemma and need guidance, folks.

I have a 50mm f1.8 which works brilliantly on my D300. My spare camera which I use for hols and when I want to be less 'obvious' is a D40. The 50mm would be great to take away on trips but, though I don't mind a spot of manual focusing now and then, I'd like auto focus available should I need it.

I'm keen to swop the nifty fifty for a 35mm prime as a walkabout lens as I like the 35's focal length better. (I've a buyer lined up for my 50)

My problem is which 35mm to go for. I've borrowed an f2 and it's a great lens (Rob will be along in a minute telling me this it THE 35mm lens, I'm sure:)) but it would still be manual focus only on the D40. Is the f1.8 version a good lens and would it be suited to the D40, the D300 and either a D700 or D3 when I upgrade next year?

Phew! I think that's all I wanted to ask.
 
the AF-S 35 f1.8 is a DX only lens so wouldn't be suited to a d700 upgrade. I'd have to agree with Rob and go for the f2 version.
 
boyfalldown said:
the AF-S 35 f1.8 is a DX only lens so wouldn't be suited to a d700 upgrade. I'd have to agree with Rob and go for the f2 version.
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I'm not familiar with lens/D700 compatibility. So can I take it that on a D700, a DX version of the 35mm, would be manual focus?
 
zoom said:
I'm not familiar with lens/D700 compatibility. So can I take it that on a D700, a DX version of the 35mm, would be manual focus?
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No it will autofocus fine but will crop on the bigger sensor :cool:
 
zoom said:
I'm not familiar with lens/D700 compatibility. So can I take it that on a D700, a DX version of the 35mm, would be manual focus?
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no DX is Nikon speak for crop format only, so you'd lose the full frame from the D700. Unless you told it otherwise the d700 & d3 just drop into crop mode when a DX lens is fixed to the camera

It'd still focus though
 
How about a Sigma 30mm f1.4?

I'm not a Nikon user but I think that this lens will auto focus on a D40, although that'll need confirming by someone more sure of what they're talking about :)
 
zoom said:
But the f2 version would be fine?
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The manual focus f2 lens will work fine, it will meter in apeture priortiy and manul modes. Which you will have to set in the non cpu lens menu.
 
woof woof said:
How about a Sigma 30mm f1.4?

I'm not a Nikon user but I think that this lens will auto focus on a D40, although that'll need confirming by someone more sure of what they're talking about :)
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its still crop format though so will causes issues on a d700/D3 upgrade
 
I see.

How about a 28mm? That'll increase the number of choices. :)
 
Cyclops said:
The manual focus f2 lens will work fine, it will meter in apeture priortiy and manul modes. Which you will have to set in the non cpu lens menu.
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there is an AF-D version of this lens why would you go back to the manual focus version?
 
Starastin said:
30mm f1.4 sigma . won't be hard to sell it if you go FF . loads of people love it.
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Worth keeping in mind but since getting shot of my Sigma 70-200 F2.8, I've tried to stick with Nikon only glass.

I'm not rubbishing all third party lenses but I've seen a massive improvement in quality since moving to the Nikon 80-200 lens.
 
I can understand why some stick to body manufacturer lenses but I think it's fair to say that no one manufacturer makes the best lens available at all focal or zoom lengths.

I suppose that a good example of this is the Sigma 50mm f1.4 which is widely thought to be the best of it's type.

I think that it would therefore make sense to look at the best lenses available and if the best lens happens to be made by Sigma, Tamron, Tokina or someone else it should maybe be worth considering.
 
woof woof said:
I can understand why some stick to body manufacturer lenses but I think it's fair to say that no one manufacturer makes the best lens available at all focal or zoom lengths.

I suppose that a good example of this is the Sigma 50mm f1.4 which is widely thought to be the best of it's type.

I think that it would therefore make sense to look at the best lenses available and if the best lens happens to be made by Sigma, Tamron, Tokina or someone else it should maybe be worth considering.
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Good point and I'm certainly not 'anti third-party'. I had good use from the 70-200 Sigma but when I ditched it, I could see a marked improvement in terms of colours and sharpness. However, that's not to say all their lenses are inferior.
 
The 35mm DX is sublime on a D700 as long as you stick to close focus distances and wide apertures, otherwise the vignetting gets a bit too much.
 
Why not buy the f1.8 now, and then sell when you get the D700 and get the f2. If you buy second hand, the 1.8 should cost around £130 and you will probably get back around the same, at worst a £20 loss. Then you buy a f2 next year and all options are covered.
 
JasonRS said:
So what does "will cause issues" mean other than suggesting its not a good lens for the FF bodies? ;)
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in the same way as all DX lenses cause issues on FX bodies :) the f2 is a better choice for full frame (just my opinion) and I can add the sublime vignetteing from the article you posted in PP if I want it
 
cambsno said:
Why not buy the f1.8 now, and then sell when you get the D700 and get the f2. If you buy second hand, the 1.8 should cost around £130 and you will probably get back around the same, at worst a £20 loss. Then you buy a f2 next year and all options are covered.
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Totally agree with this. The D40 and 35mm F1.8 will be a great lightweight combo.
 
cambsno said:
Why not buy the f1.8 now, and then sell when you get the D700 and get the f2. If you buy second hand, the 1.8 should cost around £130 and you will probably get back around the same, at worst a £20 loss. Then you buy a f2 next year and all options are covered.
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Yes, I'm liking your thinking on this. I'll be keeping a close watch on the TP classified ads.
 
Took delivery of a Nikkor 1.8 35mm yesterday. Bought it second-hand from Ffordes. (When Ffordes say a lens is 'mint', it really is. This and the 28-70 I bought from them a couple of months ago are both immaculate)

Tried the 35mm on the D300 last night and it seems great. I'll be testing it on my 'holiday' D40 later as this was the specific reason for buying it but, so far, I'm loving the results. It even came with a lens hood, soft bag and in it's gold box with all instructions. For £119 this was a real bargain.
 
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