I have a D600, I have the 1.8er DX lens for a long time and, more recently, this 35 / 2.0er.
For me it is quite a noticeable difference if I by switching to the DX mode've only got 10 MP of my 24 MP. That may be enough for many applications, but I'm not satisfied if I over 50% of my pixel simply as "throw away".
What I buy for a 24 MP camera? - But not at 10 MP to take pictures!
I am very pleased with the 35 / 2.0 at the moment, since it largely meets all my requirements:
- It is small and light
- It is very solidly built
- It is relatively inexpensive (compared to other single 35 mm FX prime lens from Nikon, or the alternative of Sigma)
- And it makes beautiful pictures
Sure it's not visually up to date, but hey - when the lens hit the market it was "good" or at least "good enough" for slide-shots that reached the resolution of a DSLR with 24 MP about on the canvas (if you would print 24 MP with 300 dpi). And since no one has bitched!
The vignetting and the edge blur at full aperture are in portraits or other exemption try anyway not a real nuisance. - Because you want anyway prefer a "Bokeh" have ...
For me, the objective is a real insider tip. My 50 lenses have - cut off too much of the "always on" operation - for my taste. The 35er is my viewing behavior closer. I suppose it is my new "always on" objective are.
No comparison to the 1.4er "glass blocks" of Sigma with 50 and 85mm! - Although this may have a better picture quality, but they are three times as big and twice as heavy. And who wants to have at "Street Photography" as a gun barrel look fixed on him?
Conversely, using this lens on a DX camera, you anyway exploits rather the "sweet spot" of this old lens, so that it can also be used at a relatively calm DX camera.
Who wants to give his pictures a more "classic" Touch, buys here a very special "candy". CAs and the distortion can be calculated out by modern software problems again, so that a very special and beautiful lens of "street photography" gets the bottom line. - Especially on a D600 ...
But these are all individual views. Can keep everyone as he likes. :-)
To my vote: Yes, the lens has its weaknesses. So I would really want to give more only 4 points to him. - But on the other hand, it is virtually unrivaled for my intended use and at a reasonable price. And because of the value for money it gets from me then full 5 points.
