Tokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G

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Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX

Macro Prime | Nikon F (DX)

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Nikon 35mm f1.8G

Wideangle Prime | Nikon F (FX)

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Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX vs Nikon 35mm f1.8G Comparison Overview

Here we are comparing two lenses with different focal types: Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX is a Macro Prime lens with a 35mm focal range and a max aperture of F2.8 whereas Nikon 35mm f1.8G is a Wideangle Prime lens with a 35mm focal range and max aperture of F1.8.

We will start with briefly looking and the main specs of these two lenses and in the section, we will start analyzing in more detail and list the pros and cons of each lenses.

Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX Key Specs

35mm Focal Range

F2.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 52mm

Max Format: APS-C / DX

Nikon F (DX) Mount

Weight: 340g.

Diameter: 73mm

Length: 60mm

Min Focus Distance:0.14m

Max Magnification:1x

Nikon 35mm f1.8G Key Specs

35mm Focal Range

F1.8 Max Aperture

Filter Thread: 58mm

Max Format: 35mm FF

Nikon F (FX) Mount

Weight: 305g.

Diameter: 72mm

Length: 72mm

Min Focus Distance:0.25m

Max Magnification:0.24x

What type of photography are the Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX and Nikon 35mm f1.8G lenses good for?

The type of photography that you are planning to use is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated the Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX and the Nikon 35mm f1.8G for their suitability to various photography scenarios:

Photography Type	Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX	Nikon 35mm f1.8G
Bird/Wildlife	Fair	Poor
Sports	Fair	Poor
Portrait	Good	Average
Travel	Average	Average
Street	Good	Excellent
Wedding	Good	Average
Walk Around	Average	Average
Vlogging	Average	Good
Landscape	Good	Very Good
Macro	Very Good	Fair

Size and Weight Comparison

Size of a lens is an important deciding factor when comparing two lenses.Nikon 35mm f1.8G is the longer of the two lenses at 72mm. The Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX with a length of 60mm is 12mm shorter. On the other hand, the Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX has a larger diameter of 73mm compared to Nikon 35mm f1.8G's 72mm diameter.

Weight of a lens is as important as its external dimensions, especially if you are planning to hand hold your camera and lens combination for longer periods. Nikon 35mm f1.8G weighs 305g, 10% (35g) lighter than the Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX's weight of 340g.

Lens Mounts

Both Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX has the Nikon F (DX) lens mount whereas the Nikon 35mm f1.8G has the Nikon F (FX) lens mount. Some of the latest released cameras that are compatible with these mounts are Nikon D3500, Nikon D7500 and Nikon D5600 for the Nikon F (DX) Mount and Nikon D6, Nikon D780 and Nikon D3500 for the Nikon F (FX) Mount.

Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX is also available in Canon EF mount.

Nikon 35mm f1.8G is also available in Nikon F (DX) mount.

Focal Range

Reasons to choose Tokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX over Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G

Diaphgragm Blades	9 vs 7	Potentially more rounded and smooth bokeh
Length	60mm vs 72mm	12mm shorter
Filter Thread	52mm vs 58mm	Smaller filters are cheaper and easier to find
Minimum Focus Distance	0.14m vs 0.25m	can focus closer to the subject
Max Magnification	1x vs 0.24x	higher magnification better for close-up shots

Reasons to choose Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G over Tokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX

Max Aperture - Wide	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at wide end
Max Aperture - Tele	1.8 vs 2.8	Wider aperture at tele end
Focus Type	Internal Focusing vs Extending front	Length of the lens doesn't change during focusing
Max Sensor Coverage	35mm FF vs APS-C / DX	covers larger sensors
Weight	305g vs 340g	35g lighter
Diameter	72mm vs 73mm	1mm smaller in diameter

Common Strengths of Tokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G

Distance Scale	Yes vs Yes	Distance Scale to assist focusing
Depth-of-Field Scale	Yes vs Yes	Depth of Field scale to assist focusing

Common Weaknesses of Tokina AT-X Pro 35mm f2.8 Macro DX and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f1.8G

Image Stabilization	No vs No	Reliant on in-body Image Stabilization
Weather Sealing	No vs No	not safe under rain and dust

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Tokina 35mm f2.8 Macro DX vs Nikon 35mm f1.8G Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications

General
Brand	Tokina	Nikon
Lens Type	Prime	Prime
Price	CHECK PRICE	CHECK PRICE
Lens Type	Macro Prime	Wideangle Prime
Lens Mount	Nikon F (DX)	Nikon F (FX)
Max Format	APS-C / DX	35mm FF
Focal Range	35mm	35mm
Image Stabilization	No	No
Colour	Black	Unknown
Zoom Method	No Zoom	No Zoom
Power Zoom	No	No
Zoom Lock	No	No
Zoom Ratio	1.0X	1.0X
Aperture
Max Aperture	F2.8	F1.8
Min Aperture	F22.0	F16.0
Aperture Ring	No	No
Diaphragm Blades	9	7
Optics
Optical Elements	9	11
Optical Groups	8	8
Focusing
Min Focus Distance	0.14m	0.25m
Max Magnification	1X	0.24X
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
AF Motor Type	Screw drive from camera	Ring-type ultrasonic
Full Time Manual	Yes	Yes
Focus Method	Extending front	Internal
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
DoF Scale	Yes	Yes
Distance Scale	Yes	Yes
Focus Distance Limiter	Unknown	Unknown
Physical Specs
Weight	340g	305g
Diameter	73mm	72mm
Length	60mm	72mm
Materials	Unknown	Unknown
Weather Sealing	Unknown	Unknown
Filter Thread	52mm	58mm
Filter Notes	-	-
Hood Supplied	Yes	Yes
Hood Code	MH522	HB-70
Tripod Collar	No	No
Optional Accessories	-	-
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