6 Best 35mm Lenses for Nikon in 2024

The 35mm lens is a long-time favorite with photographers, and we’ve chosen the best 35mm lenses for Nikon for you to consider. We’ve looked at the six best 35mm lenses for Nikon, for various photography styles and needs. Whether you’re into street photography, portraits, or everyday shooting, there’s a 35mm lens here for you.

Our top pick, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, is celebrated for its sharpness and performance in low light. It’s a great choice for any Nikon photographer. If it’s not quite right for you, then one of the other five lenses will probably fit the bill.

What Is the Best 35mm Lens for Nikon?

Selecting the best 35mm lens for Nikon involves considering sharpness, low-light performance, and weight. Our list includes Nikon and Sigma lenses, chosen for their exceptional image quality and versatility in various photography scenarios, from street to portrait. Each lens offers unique advantages, ensuring photographers can find the perfect match for their needs.

Our Favorite 35mm Lenses for Nikon

Let’s take a closer look at our favorite 35mm lenses for Nikon. From sharpness and low-light performance to manual focus control, there’s a lens here to suit everyone.

The Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S stands out for its sharpness and low-light performance. Its wide f/1.8 aperture allows for beautiful bokeh and excellent photos even in dim settings. This makes it a good option for street and portrait photography where light conditions can be unpredictable. The lens is also lightweight at 12 ounces (370 g), making it easy to carry around for long periods.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. While the lens offers great image quality, it lacks built-in image stabilization. This means that when used with older Nikon Z cameras without IBIS, photographers might need to rely on higher ISOs or a tripod in low light. Also, its minimum focusing distance of 9 inches (25 cm) is adequate but not ideal for very close-up shots.

Compared to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S is lighter and better suited for the Nikon Z mount system, ensuring optimal performance with Nikon’s mirrorless cameras. The Sigma lens, while offering a wider aperture, is heavier and might not integrate as seamlessly with Nikon Z cameras’ features like autofocus speed and accuracy.

The Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G is a popular lens known for its wide f/1.4 aperture, making it a strong choice for low light and portrait photography. This aperture allows more light to reach the sensor, reducing the need for high ISOs and enabling faster shutter speeds. It also helps create a shallow depth of field, isolating subjects from their background with a smooth bokeh effect. This lens is particularly good for photographers who need to work in varied lighting conditions.

Weighing in at 1 lb 5 oz (600 g), this lens is relatively light for its capabilities, making it easy to carry for daily shooting or travel. Its construction is robust, featuring a mix of metal and high-grade plastic, and it includes weather sealing. This makes it durable enough for professional use in different environments, from dusty streets to damp forests.

Optically, the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.4G delivers sharp images with minimal distortion, thanks to its aspherical element. Chromatic aberration is well-controlled, ensuring that images are crisp and sharp. The autofocus system is quick and quiet, powered by Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor, which is beneficial for capturing fleeting moments without drawing attention. While it lacks built-in image stabilization, its wide aperture somewhat compensates by allowing more light, which can help avoid blur from camera shake.

The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC for Nikon F is a fast manual focus prime lens that offers great value for money. Its wide f/1.4 aperture lets in plenty of light, making it easier to shoot in dim conditions without cranking up the ISO. This lens is manual focus, which means it requires a bit more effort to nail focus, but also offers the photographer more control over the final image. It’s a bit heavy at 1.4 lbs (660 g), but the weight is a trade-off for the optical quality it delivers.

Optically, the lens is designed to minimize chromatic aberrations and distortion, thanks to its 12 elements in 10 groups, including one aspherical element. While it does a good job at keeping images sharp, some users might notice slight softness at the widest aperture. Stopping down improves sharpness significantly, making it versatile for various shooting scenarios.

The Samyang 35mm f/1.4 does not come with weather sealing, so it’s best used in good weather conditions or with protective measures. Its minimum focusing distance of 12 inches (30 cm) allows for relatively close shots, adding to its versatility. For photographers who enjoy the process of manual focusing and value image quality over convenience, this lens is a very useful addition to their bag.

The Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED is a prime lens that excels in delivering sharp, clear images across a wide range of photography styles. Its f/1.8 aperture makes it a strong performer in low light, allowing photographers to capture detailed shots without resorting to high ISOs. This lens is particularly good for street and environmental portrait photography, where its ability to isolate subjects with a pleasing bokeh comes into play. Weighing just 10 ounces (305 g), it’s also easy to carry around, making it a practical choice for photographers on the move.

Optically, the lens includes elements that reduce chromatic aberrations and distortion, ensuring images are of high quality. The autofocus is quick and reliable, making it easy to capture spontaneous moments. However, it lacks image stabilization, which means users might need to rely on steadier hands or a tripod in very low light. Despite this, the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G ED remains a very useful lens for those looking to improve their photography without carrying a heavy setup.

The Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G a great value prime lens that offers a wide f/1.8 aperture, making it an excellent choice for photographers who need good low-light performance and a shallow depth of field. Its focal length, equivalent to approximately 52.5mm on DX-format cameras, is perfect for capturing natural-looking portraits and everyday scenes. Weighing just 7 ounces (197 g), it’s light enough to carry all day, making it ideal for street photography and travel.

Optically, this lens impresses with its sharpness and ability to control chromatic aberrations, thanks to its aspherical element. The autofocus is quick and silent, ensuring that you won’t miss fleeting moments. While it lacks image stabilization, the fast aperture helps to mitigate this by allowing for quicker shutter speeds in dim conditions.

For those shooting with Nikon’s DX-format DSLRs, the AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G is a very useful lens to have in the bag. It combines portability with excellent optical performance, making it a good option for a wide range of photography styles. Whether it’s for portraits, street scenes, or general everyday shooting, this lens delivers quality images in a compact package.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A for Nikon F is a prime lens celebrated for its optical excellence and versatility. With a wide f/1.4 aperture, it excels in low light and allows for creative depth of field effects, making it ideal for a variety of photography genres, from street scenes to portraits. Its construction combines durability with a manageable weight, ensuring it can withstand the demands of professional use while being comfortable for day-long shoots.

Optically, the lens impresses with sharp, clear images and minimal distortion, a testament to Sigma’s commitment to quality. The autofocus is both quick and quiet, courtesy of the Hyper Sonic Motor, making it suitable for capturing spontaneous moments without disturbance. Despite lacking image stabilization, the wide aperture significantly aids in reducing camera shake in dim conditions.

For photographers seeking a high-quality 35mm lens, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is a compelling option. It offers a blend of performance, build quality, and features that cater to both professionals and serious enthusiasts. Its ability to deliver stunning images in a variety of settings makes it a valuable addition to any camera bag.

Conclusion: The Best 35mm Lenses for Nikon

We’ve taken a look at the best 35mm lenses for Nikon, highlighting their key features, strengths, and weaknesses. As you can see there is a range of options suitable for various photography styles, from street and portrait to low-light conditions, ensuring photographers can find a lens that meets their specific needs.

Our top choice, the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S, is selected for its sharpness and excellent performance in low light. This lens stands out among the six options reviewed, offering a balance of quality, versatility, and portability that makes it a prime choice for Nikon shooters.