Production
1981 – 2005
Country
Japan
Optical
9 elements in 7 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Nikon F (AI-S)
Production
1981 – 2005
Country
Japan
Optical
9 elements in 7 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
The Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-S is the photojournalist's classic — wide enough for context, fast enough for available light, small enough to be invisible. It was a favorite of documentary photographers who needed to tell stories in a single frame. The 35mm perspective matches human vision closely, making images feel natural and immersive.
Verdict: The 35mm for photographers who value honesty over style. It does exactly what a 35mm should do — capture life as it is. Not exciting, but excellent.
Very smooth. Better than the f/2 by a significant margin. Great subject separation.
Nikon neutral with slight warmth wide open.
Center sharp at f/1.4, corners soft. Excellent across the frame by f/2.8.
Good coating control. Some warmth in backlight.
Lower wide open (the glow), builds to high contrast by f/2.8.
Noticeable at f/1.4, controlled by f/2.8.
Summary: The community generally has a positive sentiment towards using Canon FD lenses on mirrorless cameras like Sony E-mount and Micro Four Thirds. They find these lenses to be a great value for money option with a good balance of character and usability, allowing them to be used for a variety of projects from corporate work to music videos. Sentiment: Positive Top Praised: - Excellent value for money compared to modern lenses - Good balance of character - not too clinical, but not too extreme either - Compatibility with a wide range of mirrorless cameras, from full-frame to Super16 sensors - Ability to use focal reducers to compensate for the lack of ultra-wide angle lenses in the Canon FD lineup Top Complaints: - Lack of true ultra-wide angle lenses in the Canon FD lineup, especially for Micro Four Thirds cameras - Some compatibility issues with certain focal reducers, like the inability to use Canon FD 17mm, 20mm, 24mm, and 28mm lenses with the Zhongyi Lens Turbo II Use Cases: - General corporate/commercial work - Shorts and music videos - Versatile use across a range of mirrorless cameras Disagreements: - None noted Confidence: 0.9 The sources provide a consistent and detailed overview of the community sentiment towards using Canon FD lenses on mirrorless cameras, with few notable disagreements.
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/call-out-to-readers-looking-for-a-nikon-z-35mm-1-2-s/
The Nikon 35mm f/2 AI-S is the photojournalist's classic — wide enough for context, fast enough for available light, small enough to be invisible. It was a favorite of documentary photographers who needed to tell stories in a single frame. The 35mm perspective matches human vision closely, making images feel natural and immersive.