Sharp prime under 35mm?

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cherokee1111

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I was looking for a do-it-all lens in the 18-200 range but after good advice here I think my route will be a sharp prime under 35mm (already have the 35mm f1.8DX) and the Nikon 70-300 VR for zoom needs.

So basically fellas what lens under 35mm of any manufacturer would you recommend as tack sharp on a crop sensor?

Thanks
 
I've heard that the Nikon 24mm f2.8 is one of their best, and was considering this myself. I went for the 35mm - which is great, but not wide enough. I think there's a Sigma around that range too (24mm).
 
Unlike the above poster I'm not drawn to non macro primes of f2.8 or even slower as IMVHO a zoom will do everything and more.

As you have a 35mm I assume that you'll want something with a big enough gap to make it worthwhile? How about a 20mm or 24mm f1.8?

I'm not really familiar with Nikon lenses these days but there don't seem to be many fast wide primes so how about a Sigma 20 or 24mm f1.8? I have the 20mm and it's useable wide open, sharp when stopped down a little and generally a very nice thing and gives a FoV of about 30mm on APS-C. That'd seem like a good companion to your 35mm.

Or, you could go for a fast 50mm?
 
You're asking for 'tack-sharp'...

You'll be looking to spend how much?

Usually the ultimate quality comes at a price - expect to pay in excess of £1000 for the better optics offered by manufacturers...

The Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 which is pretty good (and will offer you the equivalent of full-frame 35mm-ish on your FX body) costs about £330.
The f/1.4 version which is rumoured to be much sharper as well as faster will set you back the fat end of £1700...
The Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 is cheaper at £222 but offers more like 40mm equivalent on FX.

The Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 looks to be your best bet at about £458...

Or buy 2nd hand and go for a Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 which would be perfectly acceptable in terms of IQ and affordable and specifically designed for your DX camera...£1050 new but cheaper to be found in the classifieds...
 
Yeah - siggy 30mm f1.4 is good if you get a good version.
I bought a second hand one from lce but had to return for dosh as it didn't focus quite right.

More pleasing through the lens than the 50mm f1.4, but heavier and fatter ;)
have a play with one as the bokeh on it was great too :)


edit: just remembered - have pics using it on flickr link - museum in london ... think there is a set. most were taken using it as I was testing it...
 
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you may reach the decision i did that.
it was cheaper and more expedient [in the long run] to buy a D700 than trying to buy lens for dx that give you wide angle.
i have a nikon 20mm f2.8 is a very nice lens but still not very wide on dx whereas its perfect on fx.
 
cherokee1111 said:
anyone experience of the sigma 30mm f1.4?
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Yes. I have a Siggy 30mm f1.4 and it's compact, sharp, fast to focus and comes with a hood and a case too. The only critisism that I can make is that in manual focus the fucus ring has a sort of gritty feel.

As you already have a 35mm I didn't think you'd be interested in this lens.

Anyway, I love these two shots taken with the Siggy 30mm. The first is f8 and you'd expect to pretty much hit the focus even with moving dogs but the second isn't too bad either and it's f1.4. Pretty good performance I think.

DF8.jpg


DF1-4.jpg
 
thanks guys, seems the Canon users have some obvious and sharp zooms that dont weigh like a brick, seems a bit hit and miss with Nikon in zooms and primes especially compatible with a DX. I'd consider going back to Canon if it wasnt for the D7000 (wish list)
 
Big Yin has suggested Zeiss and if you don't mind manual focus have a look at the Voigtlander lenses for Nikon. Seriously good glass and not wallet busting either.

Andy
 
Andysnap said:
Big Yin has suggested Zeiss and if you don't mind manual focus have a look at the Voigtlander lenses for Nikon. Seriously good glass and not wallet busting either.

Andy
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Oh yeah, forgot the Voigtlanders, they're really nice lenses too - if you can cope with MF of course :shrug:
 
True enough - but for example, most of my wide-angle stuff is landscapes, where the camera's stuck on a tripod, hyperfocal focussing, and hours of faffing around for one shot. My AF wides spend most of their time switched off anyway :lol:
 
oh well just have to wait till the 24mm f1.4 comes down to a grand or Nikon bring out something really good for DX owners
 
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