Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F1.8G vs Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS

Focus is available to 11.8 inches, measured from the image sensor. It doesn't put the lens into macro territory, but with the ability to magnify subjects at 1:6 life-size at its closest focus distance, you can still capture small details—just not as small as you would with a 1:2 or 1:1 macro lens.

2: It is supposed to be a low-light fast performer, but I did not find that the image quality I got from it was better than the 18-55 NEX kit lens. I know that sounds crazy since the kit lens is 3.5F at its widest focal length, but it is true. I got this lens to compliment my small collection of E-mount lenses with a wide aperture lens capable of doing more than the kit lens

As for the Sigma: It is quite a bit sharper, has less purple fringing, significantly less bokeh fringing (long. CAs). It is heavier and more expensive, but it is a significantly better lens as well.

The Sony E 35mm F1.8 OSS lens offers a bright aperture and standard angle of view for capturing sharp images with a shallow depth of field.

This lens doesn't have image stabilization. So, even if you could focus it in the dark -- which autofocus mechanisms have trouble doing -- guess what? The image may come out blurry, anyway. I did learn a trick as time went on, though: the kayaks have glow sticks at each end (green on the stern, red on the bow). Focus on one of those, and hold down the AF lock

Because you need to adjust the aperture with the camera, instead of a ring on the lens, and the focus by wire nature of this lens can be a bit slow (as I feel they have got the ratio off by a small amount). In other words, you have to turn on ring on the lens way more than you should have to. This is great for very very fine adjustments, but for large adjustments it can be tiresome. The autofocus, on the other hand is an absolute delight

Other thoughts: I read the reviews regarding this lens on a few reputable sites, and the lens performs and works nicely for an entry level type kit lens. If you are a beginner or amateur, this would be a nice zoom lens to purchase. Most people that hobby in photography don't need a top shelf $2000 zoom lens.

Best lens for the NEX cameras. I keep it on most of the time on my NEX-6, and rarely switch to the pancake kit that it came with. In fact, the pancake zoom has failed to work recently, after only about 4 months, whereas this is still going strong. No zoom that needs to be extended on power-on, so you can take turn your camera on and start taking shots very quickly

8 is _significant_, let alone going from f3.5 to f1.8. Every now and then I'll find that the light is so low that the VR on my old lens would help, but in the vast majority of cases the ability to open up the aperture more than makes up for not having it

I've had problems with the aperture blades not working. The aperture simply stays full open (1.8) resulting in a number of totally overexposed shots. IOW, the lens views and focuses while fully open as it should but does not close down to the proper higher f-setting