Nikkor 35mm f/1.8

The Nikkor 35mm f/1.8.

I’ve always liked the excessive bokeh/blur in front and behind an object or subject. Little did I know how good the lens actually is. It is by far one of the best investments I’ve made when it comes to photography. It’s a high-quality lens for a great price and the photos are always incredibly sharp and buttery smooth.

But what I love most about this lens is the low aperture. At f/1.8 you can let in SO much light which allows for capturing the most satisfying bokeh photos such as this.

This photo was taken at f/2.2, f/1.8 would’ve been a bit extreme.

Because the lens has such a low aperture, it also makes it perfect to shoot in low light conditions. Whether that’s just after sunset, at night or even just taking pictures of something in the shadow.

Another bonus of the lens is it’s incredibly small and light, which makes it effortless to carry around. It’s definitely understated. It might not “look” professional, because it’s such a tiny thing, but just wait until you see the photos you took. After all this time I’m still amazed by the results it produces.

Why the 35mm and not the 50mm? Because this camera has an APS-C CMOS sensor and not a full-frame sensor. This means a 35mm lens on an APS sensor is equivalent to around 53mm. A 50mm lens on this sensor would be equivalent to a 75mm. Which is zoomed in a little bit too much for me.

It’s quite an intimate lens. Because it’s a fixed prime lens, meaning it can’t zoom, it encourages me to get up close with what I’m shooting. I have to physically move if I want a wider shot or a close-up. It has made the process of photography much more interesting and fun.

So if you’re someone who wants more bokeh in your photos and are willing to move around more, I’d recommend giving this lens a try.