This guide is intended to help both novices and experts find the best 35mm camera optics for their needs.
They say that the true essence of photography is in the 35mm lens format. This focal distance is very interesting to be able to photograph practically all types of genres, documenting comfortably with light and discreet optics and capturing the images in a totally unnoticed way. 35mm lenses for Nikon, Canon, Sony, and other digital cameras are perfect for portrait photography, documentary, landscape, travel, and street photography, since they adapt to almost all photographic disciplines.
Why a 35mm and not a 50mm? For two reasons: on the one hand, because our human eye is more like this focal, and on the other hand, because it is something more angular, it is a more comfortable and versatile lens.
What to consider before buying the best 35mm digital camera lens
We must take into account some characteristics to help us with our purchase option:
Focal length. In this article, we are going to analyze fixed focal lengths in 35mm to get the most out of our camera. The fixed focus will provide us with smaller objectives, which go unnoticed, and, as a rule, more luminous than variable focal optics (more expensive) with apertures of f: 2, f: 2.8, etc., that will offer us a professional finish and a very sharp bokeh (blur).
Compatibility. We must check if our camera is compatible with this type of objective.
Crop factor. Do not forget that if the sensor of our camera is not full-frame (full size), we must apply a multiplying factor to our goal. To give an example, if our camera is equipped with a sensor that has a cut-off factor of 1.6x, we must multiply it by the focal length of the lens to know exactly the focal length of our lens: a 35mm optic in a camera with a 1.6x crop factor will offer a 56mm focal length (50 × 1.6 = 56).
Outriggers. Some optics have an image stabilizer that helps to minimize the movements of the camera before shooting and offers sharper images, improving the final result.
Size and weight. These objectives are usually small and quite light, making them perfect to take comfortably with us.
Discretion. These optics go unnoticed and are ideal for all kinds of non-posed snapshots.
Warranty. Repair service and FAQ. It is fundamental to have technical assistance and repairs if necessary.
The best 35mm lenses for photography
In this opportunity, we have summarized the most important features in this guide to make a successful purchase of one of the best 35mm lenses for Nikon, Canon, Sony, and other digital cameras on the market. Let’s see them below.
Also, please see the best Nikon telephoto lenses and Canon telephoto lenses on the market.
Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens
This is the sharpest 35mm lens for your digital cameras. This powerful 35mm lens is very bright, with an aperture of f/1.4, making it perfect for use in complex light situations without the need to rely on the flash to accurately capture the images. This focal point achieves a perfect blur (or bokeh).
It is ready to mount on Canon cameras, although it is also available for Nikon, Sony, or Pentax equipment.
It offers an FLD crystal that prevents the dispersion of light in the optics, in addition to another aspheric lens to avoid vignetting and distortion at the ends of the image.
This objective has a powerful HSM engine that will facilitate a fast and accurate approach. It also has a viewing angle of 63.4 degrees and achieves a minimum focus of 0.30 meters.
We must bear in mind that if the sensor of our camera is not in full frame, we must apply a cut-off factor. The only downside that we put to this goal is that it has no image stabilizer.
In terms of quality and price, this objective is very competitive since it offers sharpness and speed without competition.
This lens also includes a lens hood, dust cap, lens cap, and lens case. In addition, this objective is robust, lightweight, and offers the qualities of a “first marks” objective.
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Also, please see the best DSLR cameras for beginners.
Sony Alpha SAL35F18 35mm Wide-Angle Lens
This is the best 35mm lens for Sony cameras. This specific lens for Sony (with frames of type A) is light, bright, and very reliable, offering an aperture of f/1.8.
It has a focus mode in manual or automatic mode, although it does not offer an optical stabilizer.
We speak of a very light lens (it weighs 170 grams) that is a little bulky. It will allow us to photograph scenes, landscape photography, or urban nature with total discretion.
In addition, as with all objectives, we must take into account the sensor correction factor. Get focus to 0.23 meters from the subject.
In addition, this lens offers sharpness, brightness, and a fast and silent approach at a very economical price. Includes a small parasol.
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Also, please see the best compact cameras with GPS and WiFi on the market.
YONGNUO YN 35mm Lens F2
This economic objective easily meets the expectations set. We speak of a 35mm lens with a luminosity of f/2, which allows us to focus in manual or automatic mode.
Although it mounts the lens for a Canon camera, it is also offered for Nikon. Allows a minimum focus distance of 0.25 meters.
It manages to focus comfortably (with some noise) in complex lighting conditions. In addition, it eliminates the “phantom” effect of the dispersion of light through its set of lenses.
It offers excellent performance, despite its plastic finish, and comes equipped with a small diffuser. A little more can be asked for for less than one hundred dollars.
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Also, please see the best Superzoom camera models.
Tokina 35mm Lens for Digital SLR Cameras
This 35mm lens has enough light, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. One of the characteristics that make it different is that we talk about a macro lens, which allows us to also photograph small objects with total quality and sharpness, with a minimum focus of 0.14 meters.
It is mounted for Nikon cameras and allows focus control in manual and automatic modes, with great speed in its autofocus.
Another aspect to favor is the sharpness of the images. The construction of the lenses makes them reproduce images with high quality. In addition, it is a lightweight device (340 grams), small and robust, and will facilitate our ability to work comfortably in portrait with a spectacular bokeh or in close-up photography.
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Canon EF IS USM Wide-Angle Lens
One of the star optics par excellence. It also offers fantastic quality at a very reasonable price. This specific 35mm wide-angle lens for Canon is very bright, with a maximum aperture of f/2.
Ideal for working in complex light conditions, it is fast and precise, offering a perfect blur in large openings.
It is a robust and solid optic, and its small size helps us to photograph scenes where we want to go unnoticed.
One of its strengths is that it has an image stabilizer, ideal for correcting vibrations and movements before shooting. Another of its points in favor is its discretion, being a very silent objective. This is the best 35mm lens for Canon cameras.
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Nikon 35mm Lens with Auto Focus
This objective has a good price and offers fantastic features. We speak of an extremely luminous optic with an aperture of f: 1,8.
It is a very light camera lens, weighs 200 grams, and is very small, making it perfect to carry with us always. It also allows the approach to be done in manual or automatic mode, which is quite fast and precise.
We speak of optics that do not offer vignettes and have surprising sharpness. In addition, it offers a small and useful parasol. This is a great-quality lens at an unbeatable price.
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In conclusion
Buying a 35mm lens is a good choice for any photo lover. The advantages that can be obtained from a fixed lens of this type, beyond the photographic genre that you prefer to practice, are undeniable. Every photographer should set aside the basic camera lens and work with a landline at least once to see the difference firsthand. Among the most useful and popular fixed targets, in addition to the 50mm, it is certainly worth thinking about the 35mm too to take advantage of all the possibilities it offers.