The Best 35mm Lenses Any Photographer Should Own

I know this article’s title is the best 35mm lens. Still, this lens might also have many names, such as The full-frame lens, the all-purpose lens, the default lens for many photographers, the best lens for street photography, general-purpose photography, and so on.

Let’s move on to showing you the best 35mm lenses out there, and then we will talk a bit about why you would need a 35mm lens, what this lens is suitable for and how you can manipulate or use it in the best way possible.

A Quick Look at My Favorite 35mm Lenses

Image	Product	Features	Price
The Best Optical Performance	Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN	10	Check Price On Amazon
Bokeh at its Finest	Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G	8.6	Check Price On Amazon
The Most Compact Lens	Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM	8.5	Check Price On Amazon
The Close-Up master	Canon RF 35mm f/1.8	8.8	Check Price On Amazon
The Versatile and Fun Lens	Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2	8.6	Check Price On Amazon

---

The Top 5 Best 35mm Lenses

5. Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN – Best for Optical Performance

If you own a mirrorless camera and like third-party lenses, your choice would be Sigma! I am very familiar with this lens as it is one of the greatest ones I have used for years.

The main thing I love about this lens is the super-sharpness and the great photographs it brings to me, especially when I have my Sony camera in hand. It has a very easy-to-use aperture ring which allows full control.

Whenever I use this lens, I clearly notice that there is no ghosting or flare, and that’s because of its non-reflective pieces. Besides everything else, this lens has a great rounded bokeh effect.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 35mm
• Aperture: f/1.4
• Elements: 15
• Groups: 11
• Blades: 11
• Dimensions: 3 x 4.4 inches
• Weight: 22.6 oz

Sample Pictures of Sigma 35mm F1.4 DG DN

---

4. Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G – Best for the Bokeh Effect 

Nikon for sure brings some of the greatest lenses out there, and the way they work with different cameras, especially the ones from Nikon itself, is breathtaking!

This lens is very lightweight and will definitely come with you wherever you go! The specialty of this lens is the vibrant colors it brings out of anything you will capture pictures of.

Something else that is worth mentioning is the part that, with this lens, you will be capturing the smallest details and the most important things about the subject.

Also, this lens is perfect in low-light conditions regardless of where you are and the lighting part. I use it without any problem regarding lighting. There is the bokeh effect which is not only good but it is really perfect!

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 35mm
• Aperture: f/1.8
• Elements: 8
• Groups: 6
• Blades: 7
• Dimensions: 2.76 x 2.07 inches
• Weight: 7.05 oz

Sample Pictures of Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G

---

3. Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM – The Most Compact

Whenever I travel somewhere, a lens accompanies me, and that is Sony FE 35mm F1.4 G! I love to travel, but mostly I love photography! That’s why I am saying that this lens is the one that comes with me.

Based on what I said above, you can easily notice why this lens is known as the compact one! There is extraordinary build quality which is also something to be proud of, as it includes very durable materials within.

The macro magnification of 1:2, which is found on this lens, will be one of the things that you will adore as it indicates the smallest details the subject might have.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 35mm
• Aperture: f/1.4
• Elements: 14
• Groups: 10
• Blades: 11
• Dimensions: 3 x 3.8 inches
• Weight: 1.2 lb

Sample Pictures of Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM

---

2. Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 – The Close-Up Master

Personally, I love Canon as a brand in general, and if you are just like me, I am pretty sure that this lens will become your favorite, just as it is mine!

Regardless of where you are and where you may go, this lens from Canon is a great one when it comes to creativity in general. It is known as the lens that brings the art out of everything.

There are low lighting conditions in which this lens is a master, and most importantly, it loves to show details. Just as I listed it, you can clearly notice that it is a lens that is mostly used for close-up photography, as I use it for that.

I am very proud to say that with this lens, I have been able to capture some of the hots that I love most, and its perfect image stabilization has helped me record some of the greatest videos as well.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 35mm
• Aperture: f/1.8
• Elements: 11
• Groups: 9
• Blades: 9
• Dimensions: 2.93 x 2.47 inches
• Weight: 10.76 oz

Sample Pictures of Canon RF 35mm f/1.8

---

1. Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 – Most Versatile

Last but not least, here goes another great third-party lens that comes from Tamron as one of the leading brands when it comes to third-party lenses in general.

This lens is very versatile! Owning a great focal length and a great aperture, you will notice that you can use this lens whenever and however you want.

This lens’ BBAR (Broad-Band Anti Reflection) coating will help you capture sharp pictures without any reflection or flare, and it will help you capture in any condition.

Whenever I have to work with this lens, I say that it brings out the creative person in me, and it can also make a non-creative person fall in love with creativity.

Key Specifications

• Focal Length: 35mm
• Aperture: f/2.8
• Elements: 9
• Groups: 8
• Blades: 7
• Dimensions: 2.87 x 2.5 inches
• Weight: 7.4 oz

Sample Pictures of Tamron 35mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2

---

The Reasons Why You Need a 35mm Lens

Versatility

You should be well aware of the fact that you cannot use a 35mm lens in any kind of photography because that would be definitely unfair. However, interestingly enough, these types of lenses are very versatile! I love to use them differently, in many different manners, and I am pretty sure that you will love this feature as well. These lenses are indeed perfect for capturing landscape photographs, street photographs, and even portrait photography. 

Distance

35mm lenses are somehow known as the greatest lenses for those photographers who love to travel and love to capture pictures of the beauty of nature in many ways. These lenses will help you capture pictures, especially on landscapes, without any worry regarding the cropping that may be done. 

Bokeh

I love the bokeh effect and I really want to mention here that 35mm lenses offer the best out of it. Even though this effect is mostly used in portrait photography you should never stop yourself from choosing a lens with this effect within. If you decide to go for a 35mm prime lens over maybe a slower zoom lens, except for great bokeh, you also get the benefit of shallow depths of field.

Low-Light

35mm lenses are definitely the main ones when it comes to low lighting conditions! Whenever you are in a badly lighted surrounding, you can easily choose to use a 35mm lens as there are a lot of features that will help you. It helps a lot! The 35mm lens will make sure to solve that problem by capturing the best pictures even if the light is not that promising.

Types of Cameras to Use 35mm Lenses With

35mm lenses can be used with a few different types of cameras.

• DSLRs with a full-frame sensor: These are large, professional cameras with a 35mm film-sized sensor and they will provide you with the same image quality as if you were using a film camera and are compatible with 35mm lenses without any issues.
• Full-frame mirrorless cameras are comparable to full-frame DSLR cameras, but they are smaller and lighter. They can also use 35mm lenses without any problems because their sensor is the same size as a 35mm film.
• Mirrorless Cameras with APS-C Sensors: Although they feature a smaller sensor than full-frame cameras, mirrorless cameras with an APS-C sensor can still use 35mm lenses. But because of the cropping, less of the scene will be shown in the final image. When compared to full-frame cameras, these cameras are smaller and lighter. 
• Medium format cameras: Even though they may use 35mm lenses with an adaptor and have even larger sensors than full-frame cameras, these cameras are typically more expensive and heavier. 
• Film Cameras: 35mm film cameras are ideal for photographhers who want to shoot film for nostalgic or artistic purposes because they can use 35mm lenses without any problems. 

It’s important to remember that the sort of camera you use will impact the look of your photographs.

It’s recommended to start with a mirrorless camera with an APS-C sensor if you’re just getting into photography because they are compact, lightweight, and simple to use, then, you can upgrade to a full-frame camera as you gain experience.

Types of Photography that Can be Done with the Help of 35mm Lenses

A 35mm lens is a flexible piece of equipment that may be used to many shooting techniques. Several types of photography generally call for a 35mm lens, including the following:

Street Photography: The best focal length for street photography is frequently thought to be a 35mm lens. It enables you to take discreet candid photos of individuals and their surroundings. A 35mm lens’s wide angle of view makes it simple to fit several subjects in a single frame.

Landscape Photography: Photographing wide landscapes and natural panoramas can be done with a 35mm lens. You can see a lot of the scene thanks to the wide angle of view, which also gives the picture a sense of majesty and size.

Documentary Photography: A 35mm lens is a great lenns for documenting real-world events and stories. You can see a lot of the scene thanks to the broad field of view, which also gives the subjects in the frame context.

Portrait Photography: A 35mm lens can be used, although it’s usually thought of as a “normal” lens because it doesn’t have much of a compression effect. This results in less distortion of the subject’s face as well as less blurring of the backdrop.

Photojournalism: A 35mm lens is a fanttastic option for photojournalism since it enables you to capture a variety of topics and settings in a single shot. It is simple to integrate the scene’s context and background.

Event Photography: A 35mm lens is a fantastic option because it enables you to capture a variety of subjects and scenes in a single shot. 

In general, a 35mm lens is a flexible piece of gear that may be used for a variety of shooting techniques. For photographers who want to capture real-world events, portraits, landscapes, and street scenes all in one lens, it’s an amazinng option.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing a 35mm Lens – Buying Guide

There are a few important factors to take into account when buying a 35mm lens to make sure you’re getting the best lens for your needs and budget.

Aperture

Think about the lens’s aperture. In low light conditions or to produce a narrow depth of focus, a lens with a wide aperture (low f-stop number) will allow more light to enter the lens therefore, this can be particularly useful if you intend to shoot handheld or in low light.

Image Stabilization

Image stabilization is a further important factorr to take into account, so, if you plan to shoot handheld or in low light, look for a lens with image stabilization as it can help reduce blur from camera shake.

Build Quality

Another thing to think about is the lens’s constructionn. In order to protect yourself from dust and moisture, look for a lens that is weather-sealed which is especially useful if you plan to shoot outdoors.

Compatibility

Additionally, make sure the lens is compatible with your camera and take into account the brand’s reputation for dependability and customer service.

By doing this, you can be sure that the lens you buy will function well with your camera and that you can rely on the manufacturer for help if there are any problems with the lens.

Budget

Last but not least, decide on a spending limit for your lens purchase and shop around for a lens that fits both because you want to be sure you’re purchasing the greatest lens for your money out of the many alternatives available.

So, take into account the focal length, apertture, image stabilization, construction quality, brand and compatibility, and budget when buying a 35mm lens and you can choose the ideal lens for your photography needs by keeping these things in mind.

Don’t be afraid to ask more experienced photographers or industry experts for guidance; they might be of great assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

---

Final Words

I think that in the article above I mentioned everything that you needed to know, along with the reasons why they should be chosen and used.

Based on the lenses that I mentioned above, you can be more than sure that you won’t make any mistakes if you choose any of them. The versatility and the features that they offer will be some of the greatest things that they will provide you with!

I really hope that this article will be your biggest helper in choosing the best 35mm lens! 

---

Further Reading

If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read thus far, I strongly encourage you to do some further reading.

If you intend to build a collection of prime lenses with varying focal lengths, I have some good news for you. I also covered several other blogs, which feature the focal lengths you’ll need to hone and satisfy your photography skills.

Although the 50mm lens length is decent for portraits, the 85mm focal length outperforms it in this category. So, if you’re a portrait photographer, don’t hesitate to check out some excellent 85mm lenses.

Getting back to the 50mm lens again, the 50mm focal range is the most standardized focal range, meaning that is really versatile and it’s the closest thing that comes to the human eye. If you want your pictures to come as you view them don’t forget to check out those amazing 50mm lenses.

If you’re planning on getting personal and close to wildlife, that’s not a good idea. The same goes with sports, before you know the security will be right behind you.

Don’t worry though, I have a solution for that, and that’s none other than getting a telephoto lens.

For you sport and wildlife photographers, I have rounded up a list of great 150-600mm lenses.

Until next time, enjoy.