Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 AI-s

[tiktianc]

I've recently started liking the 35mm focal length a lot more, after lending someone my usual preffered focal length (24mm). So, I'd like to get a decent 35mm full frame lense for film use, I've been using the 35/1.8G DX lense on a film camera, the vignette doesn't bother me too much on some subjects but on otheres it can be a little distracting. I'm currently thinking about the nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-s, but also on the market are the 35mm f/2D (which I hear isn't terribly good, but it does have a good filter size....), new 35mm f/1.8G which costs a similar ammount brand new in Hong Kong as the 35/1.4AI-s, and possible the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 (which I'm not so keen for despite hearing how good it is as it is physically large and I generally do not use the 35 as much)

Opinions?

I live in Hong Kong by the way so most of this stuff is significantly cheaper than the USA or Europe new or used.

 

[Chris Lange]

The 35/1.4 ais is a great lens with some interesting characteristics. It is veiled, with lots of coma wide open, yet still sharp enough for most applications. It is extremely sharp by 5.6 and 8. Distortion isn't terribly bad, certainly no worse than other SLR wides. I've had it almost permanently mounted on my F3/T for the past 3 years, and have processed enough negatives of all types to know it in and out. I'll take a 35/1.4 over any of the other nikkor 35s save for the new 35/1.4G, and even that lens delivers a completely different aesthetic in the wider f/stops. It's an indispensable lens for me to have in my collection, and one whose rendering you either love or hate.

 

[tiktianc]

I was reading nikon's 'thousand and one nights' series article on it, and they mention those characteristics, a lot of interesting things in those articles

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

Your choice of lens will also be dictated by the camera(s) you wish to use with.
Not all Nikkors can be used in all Nikons.

 

[tiktianc]

The camera's I'm using most frequently are a nikon F100 and F5, but I also occasionally use an F3 and F Photomic (which would obviously not work with the G lenses and sigma). I'd mostly be using it for street or events sort things, reasonably good at manual focusing these days.

 

[Ricardo Miranda]

In that case, the AI/S Nikkor 35mm f/1.4 will fit as a glove on the F3 and F. You loose Matrix metering on the F100 and F5, but it is worth it!

 

[ulysses]

I wouldn't dismiss the 35/2 AIS, either. It's one of my favorite lenses. I also have the 35/2 AF/D which I haven't used as much as the AIS, but find very similar, sharp and good contrast. If you don't need the extra stop, you get a smaller, lighter lens. Both take 52mm filters. I also have the pre-AI version, but that wouldn't work as well with your cameras.

 

[zk-cessnaguy]

What about the Samyang 35mm f/1.4? Manual focus but with full electronic compatibility with your F100 and F5.

 

[Película]

The 35mm 1.4 AIS is like a dual purpose lens. As already mentioned, it's veiled with lots of coma wide open but very sharp at other apertures. I think it really excels at close to medium distances. At minimum focus, it's actually pretty sharp wide open but with the veiling. At mid to far distances and wide open, it's almost like using a Zeiss softar. It's a lens with a dual personality. I like the lens a lot and use it often.