Camera Labs

This is just a short announcement, that in addition to Gordon's review of this little cutie here there will be my own take on this lens.
That will reveal all about its performance on a D700 (!) directly comparable to DX-performance including vignetting, sharpness/contrast, and longitudinal CAs.
So stay tuned to see this lens stretched to its absolute limits.
Will it make or break?

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

by any change you know the reason this is lens is nowhere to be found in the US?

Hmm, seems like you're right.
Also in Germany/Austria the internet-dealership is not as well stocked as I'd expect for such a cheap and good lens.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Hi Glucolisis, I have also noticed a lack of stock in the US. Since it's a fairly new and successful lens, I should think it's simply down to stock levels. Hopefully we'll see more in the near future.

hi, i managed to find one on Amazon through Ritz camera for a good price : 209 dollars. I guess its a matter of keeping ones eyes open and look everywhere for a good price.

that's a good price? at B&H it's 199$

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Gear: Nikon D80, 18-105mm, 35mm F/1.8, 85mm F/1.8, SB-600
Visit my work here

Gluc, it took me weeks to find this lens before I finally picked one up at a Ritz Camera. I paid roughly the same price of $210.

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Jason

Just a new guy learning his way

Film: Olympus XA2
Digital: Nikon D3100 w/SB-600: , Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G, Tokina 12-24MM F4 Pro II

My Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkmcdonald/

My Blog: http://jmcdonaldphotography.tumblr.com/

There's a saying that springs to mind in this case... you can list any price you want when it is out of stock. I'm not doubting B&H pricing, but it's all rather academic if they don't have one to sell to you at that price right now.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

199 or 210 $ is not the price difference that would trigger me to try out a new unproven source. I'd happily go even to 220 $ with an Internet dealer that is tried and trusted...

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

well Ritz is not B&H or Adorma but is not a small store. They are spread all over the USA and have been around for years.

I agree, I would`ve loved to pay just 200 for it, but having a lens now for $10 dollars more, i think it`s worth it!

Adorama.com has this for $192.95 +free shipping

yes, but it`s not in stock

Hmm: Was looking at some close-up shots I did during the great 35mm comparison and noticed some pretty crass field curvature on my D300.
With a shot a t 0.3m distance at f2.8 it was very obvious even looking at 30% magnification. So I guess you have to stop down to at least f8.0, better f11, to get sharp corners on flat objects.

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I've also added some footage from the great shootout in full resolution (but some images cropped) to my image collection of that lens.
They all show very good sharpness and contrast on my D300 and also only little longitudinal CAs. All shot at f/1.8!
Only the bokeh looks a bit busy:

Nikon 35f1.8 Bokeh 28913 by Thomas, on Flickr
Click through to the full-res version to see for yourself!

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

I agree about bokeh is not the nicest at f1.8. It improves a lot at f2.8 though (IMHO), as long as you can afford to stop down and still get what you want, of course.

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Nikon D90 | AF-S 18-200 VR II | AF-S 35mm f/1.8 | Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 | SB-600 | Gorillapod + Manfrotto 484RC2