Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G Geometric distortion
To measure the Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G's geometric distortion, we photographed a chart consisting of a grid pattern with the lens set to at an aperture of f8. The image was shot in RAW mode to avoid any in-camera corrections, then analysed with Imatest using 5th Order line calculation, and the full area presented below at a reduced resolution. Smaller percentages are better. Results for other general-purpose lenses at the same focal length of 35mm are shown at the bottom of this page.
Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G distortion |
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DX 35mm f/1.8G at f8
Distortion: 1.83% barrel |
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The Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G exhibited barrel distortion measured at 1.83% in our tests. For comparison, the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4G exhibited barrel distortion measuring just 0.466% when mounted on a DX-format body.
When set to a focal length of 35mm, the Nikkor DX 16-85mm VR, DX 18-105mm VR and DX 18-200mm VR II all exhibited pincushion distortion, measured at 0.93, 1.52 and 1.7% respectively. As a side-note, it's interesting to see how quickly each of these lenses shifted from obvious barrel distortion when fully zoomed-out to pincushion distortion when only set to 35mm.
Either way, in this particular group of lenses, the DX 35mm f/1.8G exhibited the greatest distortion, although as you can see in the image opposite, it's not as bad as it sounds. Barrel distortion of 1.83% will result in straight lines positioned close to the edges of the frame bending outwards a little, but nowhere near as obviously as the 3-5% distortion measured for typical kit zooms when zoomed-out to 18mm.
So despite scoring the worst in this group, this distortion will hardly be a deal-breaker for most people. Now let's see how the lens measures-up in terms of vignetting / light fall-off.
Nikkor DX 35mm f/1.8G Geometric distortion compared to other lenses (smaller percentages are better)
Nikkor DX 16-85mm VR
Distortion at 35mm
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Nikkor DX 18-105mm VR
Distortion at 35mm
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Nikkor DX 18-200mm VR II
Distortion at 35mm
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DX 16-85mm VR at f8
Distortion: 0.93% pincushion |
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DX 18-105mm VR at f8
Distortion: 1.52% pincushion |
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DX 18-200mm VR II at f8
Distortion: 1.7% pincushion |
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