OK, just what is a "normal" lens?There are many definitions and points of view on this topic, and they go back years, but for argument's sake, let's just say that this Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Lens delivers a picture angle approximating the classic normal angle of view of a 50mm lens on a 35mm film camera or on Nikon FX-format DSLR or a 35mm film camera. That being said, this normal DX-format lens delivers surprisingly good results in a very affordable package.My very first Nikon SLR was a used Nikkormat FTn, bought when I was a college student. It came with a Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 lens, and I started immediately adding new Nikkor lenses, such as the classic 105mm f/2.5 lens, a 35mm f/2.0, a 24mm f/2.8 and others, but it took a couple of years for me to pick up a "normal" lens, a used Nikkor-S 50mm, f/1.4 lens. This was purchased at a Saturday yard sale, and from the first moment that I saw the results, I wondered why it had taken me so long. It was sharp when stopped down to about F/2.0, and it was perfect for lower light situations.I am a proponent of normal lenses, even though Nikon and others have been pushing the concept of using basic zooms as "kit lenses" for the last few years. I have no complaints about the overall versatility of my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens, which came standard with one of my cameras. But this new 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor lens really shines when it comes to sharpness and low-light capabilities... enough so that it's the one that stays on my camera most of the time.Pros:* Extremely affordable Nikkor prime lens for Nikon AF-S cameras* Perfect for low-light conditions, travel, & general photography* Uses familiar 52mm filters that Nikon has used for so many lenses* HB-46 bayonet lens hood comes standard* Excellent edge-to-edge sharpness* Very good bokeh for selective focus* Great colorCons:* Some color fringing and chromatic aberration when wide open at f/1.8* A bit of barrel distortionFirst Impressions:Made some notes when I first received this lens some month back. It came boxed in typical Nikon fashion, and when opened one finds that the lens has a lightweight but solid feel. The construction is largely plastic, but has a metal mount. It's also nicely balanced to the rear, to the lens mount itself. The lens focuses internally by moving only the rear elements, and the filter mount and front elements don't move at all. It comes packaged with the following:* HB-46 Bayonet Lens Hood* LC-52 Snap-On Front Lens Cap* LF-1 Rear Lens Cap* CL-0913 Soft CaseIn Use:One of the first things that I noticed was just how well balanced this lens felt. It's lightweight, but with the bulk of its weight toward the lens mount, the feel was quite good. The focus switch on the lens barrel has two choices: M/A (manual/automatic) or M (manual). Found that if left in the M/A position it worked just fine either way. The HB-46 lens hood goes on easily in bayonet fashion, and can be reversed easily when it's time to put the camera away. Fortunately this lens uses the `standardized' Nikon s 52mm filters, helpful if you already have an investment in them. The filter ring is stationary; it doesn't rotate, and there was no vignetting problem with two filters stacked, such as the UV and a polarizer.The low-light performance of this lens is good, though at f/1.8 there is a bit of softness, which is to be expected. At f/2.0 there's not much difference, but at f/2.8 the image is obviously improved, with increased sharpness and contrast, and the details are more defined in the corners. At f/4.0 there is more sharpness, and at f/5.6, there is a slight lessening of contrast, but the corner details are slightly better. At f/8.0, the quality is still quite good, and the depth of field is excellent, but there's a decline into some diffraction, with a bit of lower contrast and somewhat reduced sharpness and contrast. Have learned that when shooting in aperture priority mode, it's best to leave it at a default between f/4 and f/5.6, and go from there.This Nikkor lens does produce beautiful colors and contrast, and it focuses extremely fast even under low light conditions. Its 7-blade rounded diaphragm helps to produces a nice bokeh effect. And the close focusing goes down to about twelve inches, so you can get very creative without having to fiddle around.Additional Thoughts:Just because this lens is so reasonably priced is no reason to put a cheap and possibly inferior filter on it. I fortunately have a small supply of the older Nikon 52mm L37C UV haze filters that have been in use for years, but the Nikon 52mm Screw-on NC Filter is its multi-coated replacement. It's a protective filter that also reduces glare for outdoor shooting. If you explore here, you'll find others, such as some from Hoya, Sigma and others. It's a subjective choice, but be sure to get a good one.If you're looking for a specialized portrait lens, forget this one. The 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor Lens lens has a field of view of a 75mm on DX-series bodies, and it has a fast maximum aperture. It's excellent in low lighting situations and great for producing images with beautiful bokeh. The 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Nikkor Lens is more costly, but when mounted on a DX-format DSLR, it has an effective field of view of 127mm.Summary:If you own a DX-format Nikon DSLR this lens is a great choice. It's compact, very lightweight, balances beautifully on your body, and is a true joy to use. It's an excellent complement to any zoom, and one that most will find being used in preference for general shooting, along with being a perfect choice for low-light situations. It doesn't take long to appreciate the way you can handle your camera in comparison with heavier, longer zooms. This Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX lens is quite affordable and a surprisingly good value, and is highly recommended as a 5-star choice.5/16/2012