Best Nikon Nikkor 35mm lens...?

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Nikon 2

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I finally concluded that the best lens for my landscape photography is the 35mm length.
I would appreciate if those share their favorite 35mm Nikkor lens...!
 

ic-racer

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For the last ten years I have had only one 35mm Nikkor. The 35mm/f2 AFD. Nice lens, never wanted anything else.
 
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I think I've already mentioned on other threads that I've been using my parents' vintage-1972 35/2 "O" in my F2 and Nikkormat with Tri-X. Great lens!

StairwayTo-Nkmt35mm.jpg Dia1.jpg Dia3.jpg TironadaSchool1.jpg EastCoastJazzCrier3crop.jpg
 

Mogens

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I suspect that if you're shooting landscapes stopped down between 5.6 and 8, that all Nikkor 35s are great. So I'd make my choice based on size, weight, and ergonomics. The only one I've ever used is the Nikkor 35mm 2.0 AI, which I loved very much.
 
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Nikon 2

Nikon 2

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I suspect that if you're shooting landscapes stopped down between 5.6 and 8, that all Nikkor 35s are great. So I'd make my choice based on size, weight, and ergonomics. The only one I've ever used is the Nikkor 35mm 2.0 AI, which I loved very much.

I use the Nikkor 35mm f/2 O.C…!
 

rulnacco

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I suspect that if you're shooting landscapes stopped down between 5.6 and 8, that all Nikkor 35s are great. So I'd make my choice based on size, weight, and ergonomics. The only one I've ever used is the Nikkor 35mm 2.0 AI, which I loved very much.

I agree with this 100%. I mean, if you look at Nikon's "vintage" lenses (not the latest S or G lenses), theoretically the "best" lens is the 35mm/F1.4. But really, that's only because it can shoot at 1.4, and in shooting it at, say, F2.0, you're stopping the lens down a bit so it "should" be better than an F2 lens being shot wide open. And at 1.4, its results are not, let's say, pin-sharp, and possess a lot of "character" (which some people quite like).

If you're shooting landscapes and using hyperfocal focusing, you're likely stopping down (and you are focusing at a range) where *any* 35mm Nikkor will produce excellent results.

That being the case, you might look at the 35mm/F2.8 PC lens. If you're wanting to, especially, emphasize foregrounds, or you want to stitch together panoramas or high-resolution stitched composite images, you'd find that lens extremely useful. It can be a bit slow working--but with landscapes that of course doesn't matter. I own one, and while I don't use it terribly often--I use mine mostly for panoramas, it's quite convenient for that and eliminates the optical distortions caused by panning the camera--it produces very high quality images. And they're not terribly expensive--grab one and try it out, if it doesn't do what you want you can always sell it again for what you paid for it, or more.
 

Mogens

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I agree with this 100%. I mean, if you look at Nikon's "vintage" lenses (not the latest S or G lenses), theoretically the "best" lens is the 35mm/F1.4. But really, that's only because it can shoot at 1.4, and in shooting it at, say, F2.0, you're stopping the lens down a bit so it "should" be better than an F2 lens being shot wide open. And at 1.4, its results are not, let's say, pin-sharp, and possess a lot of "character" (which some people quite like).

If you're shooting landscapes and using hyperfocal focusing, you're likely stopping down (and you are focusing at a range) where *any* 35mm Nikkor will produce excellent results.

That being the case, you might look at the 35mm/F2.8 PC lens. If you're wanting to, especially, emphasize foregrounds, or you want to stitch together panoramas or high-resolution stitched composite images, you'd find that lens extremely useful. It can be a bit slow working--but with landscapes that of course doesn't matter. I own one, and while I don't use it terribly often--I use mine mostly for panoramas, it's quite convenient for that and eliminates the optical distortions caused by panning the camera--it produces very high quality images. And they're not terribly expensive--grab one and try it out, if it doesn't do what you want you can always sell it again for what you paid for it, or more.

This is an excellent idea, they’re brilliant for product photography also. I need one.
 

Mogens

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I use the Nikkor 35mm f/2 O.C…!

Well, there you go! Just make sure you have a decent lens hood. I’m a big fan of all those pre-ai lenses. I love the scalloped focus rings. I use the 24mm 2.8, 55mm 3.5, and 85mm 1.8 more than any other lenses.
 
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Nikon 2

Nikon 2

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Last edited:

Sirius Glass

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I agree with this 100%. I mean, if you look at Nikon's "vintage" lenses (not the latest S or G lenses), theoretically the "best" lens is the 35mm/F1.4. But really, that's only because it can shoot at 1.4, and in shooting it at, say, F2.0, you're stopping the lens down a bit so it "should" be better than an F2 lens being shot wide open. And at 1.4, its results are not, let's say, pin-sharp, and possess a lot of "character" (which some people quite like).

If you're shooting landscapes and using hyperfocal focusing, you're likely stopping down (and you are focusing at a range) where *any* 35mm Nikkor will produce excellent results.

That being the case, you might look at the 35mm/F2.8 PC lens. If you're wanting to, especially, emphasize foregrounds, or you want to stitch together panoramas or high-resolution stitched composite images, you'd find that lens extremely useful. It can be a bit slow working--but with landscapes that of course doesn't matter. I own one, and while I don't use it terribly often--I use mine mostly for panoramas, it's quite convenient for that and eliminates the optical distortions caused by panning the camera--it produces very high quality images. And they're not terribly expensive--grab one and try it out, if it doesn't do what you want you can always sell it again for what you paid for it, or more.

I have the 28mm f/2.8 PC lens. I do not sew so I never stitch photos together for panoramas. I use the WideLux for panoramas.
 

kozesluk

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I've been using 2.0/35 AI-S for a quite long time
I had borrowed 1.4/35 AI for a couple weeks and it was nice lens bit softer wide open (as expected for the intended use)
Last couple years I had 2.0/35 AF-D, sharper and nicer overall than the previously mentioned
I have bought Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.0/35 ZF and I am absolutely blown away - the image appears sharper even in the viewfinder. Is is miles ahead of any other 35mm Nikkor lens I have tried (but I haven't tried the recent 1.4/35 Nikkors). It's just bit bulky but if one lens (35mm) is all you need and want I think you can accept that compromise.
 
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Nikon 2

Nikon 2

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I've been using 2.0/35 AI-S for a quite long time
I had borrowed 1.4/35 AI for a couple weeks and it was nice lens bit softer wide open (as expected for the intended use)
Last couple years I had 2.0/35 AF-D, sharper and nicer overall than the previously mentioned
I have bought Carl Zeiss Distagon 2.0/35 ZF and I am absolutely blown away - the image appears sharper even in the viewfinder. Is is miles ahead of any other 35mm Nikkor lens I have tried (but I haven't tried the recent 1.4/35 Nikkors). It's just bit bulky but if one lens (35mm) is all you need and want I think you can accept that compromise.

The Carl Zeiss could be fitted on a Nikon F2, assumably...?
 

dynachrome

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I can't say which Nikkor 35 is the best one but I have my favorite. It's the six element design used in the 'K' and early AI models. I prefer it to the later five element design or the earlier seven element design. The six element AI model looks very similar to the five element one so checking the serial number is helpful. For lower light I also have a 35/2 O and a 'K' which has been converted to AI. These are both excellent, with the later lens having better coating. Finally, I have the second to last 35/2.8 PC which is useful in some situations. My next 35 Nikkor? Probably an AF D.
 
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