So, being a longtime canon user, I've very rarely read anything on Nikon lenses... until now that is and I am wondering - What are the Nikon fast primes (2.8 and bigger) options in 35mm and wider?
Say the equivalents or close to canon's 35L, 24L kinda deal.
I am too a long time canon user who just switched and I don't think there is anything that equals the 35L or 24L maybe the 28 f/1.4..If 2.8 fits the bill then the 14-24 would beat both of those just no filter.
Phast1 wrote:
So, being a longtime canon user, I've very rarely read anything on Nikon lenses... until now that is and I am wondering - What are the Nikon fast primes (2.8 and bigger) options in 35mm and wider?
Say the equivalents or close to canon's 35L, 24L kinda deal.
PS: AF is wanted too.
Can someone enlighten me please?
Well, there aren't any. There's a 28/1.4 AF which is out of production, very rare and costs thousands to find in the 2nd hand market. There's a 35/1.4 which is manual focus and very good. There's a 28/2 which is manual focus too and excellent. And there's a 24/2 which is manual focus but apparently crap. There's also a Zeiss 28/2, obviously manual focus.
So, basically, there aren't any. On the other hand, you can get a 17-35 or 14-24 which are better than any of the f/2.8 primes in that range and use some silly high ISO to compensate for the lack of shutter speeds. But you obviously won't have the same look as shooting wide open on a wide lens.
I think it's one of the single biggest issues with Nikon's current lens lineup (that and the lack of quality f/4 zooms). As Panos explained, there just aren't any equivalents. Would a new 18-***mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom do? We've got lots of those!
While I would be first in line for a nice 35mm/1.4 lens with performance equal to the 35L, I honestly don't see the appeal of the 24L . The lens really isn't that good at all , even on bodies with an APS-sensor, the lens is a dog.
Let's hope Nikon decides to put that 28/1.4 back into production, with some nano-crystal technology to make it even better
Flappie wrote:
... I honestly don't see the appeal of the 24L . The lens really isn't that good at all , even on bodies with an APS-sensor, the lens is a dog.
I used to think that also. Had 2 copies and was far from excited about either. Since that time I have owned 2 others that were incredible. I believe this lens, more than others, suffers from copy variation but when you get a good one it is so nice to have 'near' 35L quality in a wider fov.
I have the Nikon 20 f/2.8, and 35 f/2.0, that I use on my D700. I can honestly say that I love these two lenses. They're light, compact and give me excellent image quality for the money.
i had the 35/2 and 20/2.8 AF-D lenses. i sold them as soon as possible when i got my 17-35/2.8. neither are as good as the zoom. lightweight and poor performance are not good tradeoffs.
Flappie wrote:
While I would be first in line for a nice 35mm/1.4 lens with performance equal to the 35L, I honestly don't see the appeal of the 24L . The lens really isn't that good at all , even on bodies with an APS-sensor, the lens is a dog.
Let's hope Nikon decides to put that 28/1.4 back into production, with some nano-crystal technology to make it even better
a dog? The 24 1.4 L is a great lens! just as the canon 35 1.4 L
HerbChong wrote:
i had the 35/2 and 20/2.8 AF-D lenses. i sold them as soon as possible when i got my 17-35/2.8. neither are as good as the zoom. lightweight and poor performance are not good tradeoffs.
Herb...
I had the 20, got the 17-35 and then sold the 20 as the 17-35 is better in many ways. But I will be buying a 20 again as the performance is really not that poor. CA was not that bad and can be fixed with a move of the mouse in Lightroom and sharpness is pretty good. The 20 makes a great PJ & travel style lens and it is one of my favourite focal lengths on DX. But I probably wouldn't want one for landscapes, which is what you do most, if I am correct.
AF Line (no motor in the lens):
16 Fisheye 2.8 D
14 2.8 D ED
20 2.8D
24 2.8D
28 2.8D
35 2.0D
DX Line (not for "full" frame)
10.5 Fisheye 2.8 G ED
Tilt-Shift
24mm TS PC-E 3.5 D ED n
Now it's been rumored for a long time that Nikon is going to start replacing those old primes with AF-S models. The rumors for Photokina are a 50 and 85 1.4 G ED n. But after that, you might see a new 35mm and 28mm.
D=records distance information for Flash, has aperture ring unless it's also a G.
G=no aperture ring, records distance info.
ED=extra dispersion glass
AF=Auto Focus (no motor)
AF-S=Auto Focus w/"silent waveform" motor
n=Nano Coat
I have had two copies of the 24L. Both were sharp enough to compare to the 35L's. However, the corner sharpness is so-so considering the price.
I would pit my copies against the 35L without hesitation, especially on a crop body.
I am one of those who wish and wish for Nikon to bring fast wides to market. I want both a 24 and a 35 with SWM. While we are at it, replace my 85's with some SWM versions too.
Would a new 18-***mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom do? We've got lots of those! 
