Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED review

The Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED is a lens with street smarts

Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED
(Image: © Nikon)

Digital Camera World Verdict

A 35mm focal length is often seen as ideal for street photography and this compact, lightweight Nikon lens fits the bill admirably. With a diameter and length of 72mm and weighing in at just 305g, it’s great for walkabout shooting. Autofocus is fast and whisper-quiet, and image quality is very good with the exception that corner-sharpness is only mediocre. All in all, it’s a highly attractive lens and good value at the price.

Pros

  • +

    Compact and lightweight

  • +

    Reasonably priced

  • +

    Good overall performance

Cons

  • -

    Lackluster corner-sharpness

  • -

    No optical stabilization

  • -

    Not extensively weather-sealed

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The Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED makes a great travel companion. It’s small and lightweight, and gives a very natural yet slightly wide-angle field of view. Meanwhile, the f/1.8 aperture enables quick shutter speeds even under low lighting conditions, as well as a fairly tight depth of field when shooting at short focus distances, down to just 0.25m.

Read more:
The best Nikon lenses
The best 35mm lenses
The best cameras for street photography

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Matthew Richards

Matthew Richards is a photographer and journalist who has spent years using and reviewing all manner of photo gear. He is Digital Camera World's principal lens reviewer – and has tested more primes and zooms than most people have had hot dinners! 

His expertise with equipment doesn’t end there, though. He is also an encyclopedia  when it comes to all manner of cameras, camera holsters and bags, flashguns, tripods and heads, printers, papers and inks, and just about anything imaging-related. 

In an earlier life he was a broadcast engineer at the BBC, as well as a former editor of PC Guide.