Nikon 40mm F/2.8 - Best DX lens

[@saurabhghosh398]

Never seen a painter and photographer in the same person! A true revelation.

[@WimBals]

Haha, thanks. I'm happy to do both.

[@Haz_y_boy]

Wow, came for the review, blown away by your paintings.

[@WimBals]

Thank you so much!

[@mauricioramosdelcid7199]

Beautiful paintings you are a True artist!! 🙏🦋☘️🌿✨🌎

[@WimBals]

Thank you so much 😊

[@winfcad]

I used this lens with my previous Nikon D7200. The color & contrast is so beautiful. Very sharp!

[@WimBals]

It is!

[@RangerRik1]

Thanks for the informative video, I just ordered this lens. Very nice paintings, too, you are quite talented!

[@WimBals]

Thanks 😊

[@lestorhaslam]

Great review, I will certainly buy one. Thank you.

[@WimBals]

Great 👍

[@slug1948]

Excellent review

[@WimBals]

Thank you!

[@Sc0pee]

Nice review! I am now seriously considering this vs the 35mm 1.8G for a general purpose lens to carry! It's a hard decision. Ken Rockwell puts the 35mm 1.8g ahead of this as a general purpose lens even after admitting to its downsides (mainly distortion) but at the same time commends this one as an excellent lens that has almost no distortion. He adds that: "For general use, I prefer the 35mm f/1.8 DX, which gets more than close enough, costs $80 less, and adds over a stop of needed speed for even better low-light results." Also here in Finland that 80$ is 160$ (or 150e).

[@WimBals]

The better lens is the 40mm. I had also the 35mm, also a great cheap lens. If you like to have the option to use macro then get the 40mm. Cheers

[@DAMASORUIZGONZALEZ]

this is a lense I would buy if I had no other primes, but I have a 35, 50 and a 90 mm macro so no need for it, but I do want to point out that 40 mm macro is in the middle of everything I just describe. Thanks for the videos you make! Cheers from Mexico

[@WimBals]

Yes, totally agree.

[@marksmith7785]

Thanks for the review, I'm going to have to get this lens for my D3300. I am just now starting to take close up and macro photos. Like your paintings also! What do you think of the nikon af-s dx micro nikkor 85mm f/3.5g ed vr lens, have you used it? If so, would love to see a review on it before I buy.

[@WimBals]

The 85mm dx macro isn't the greatest. Optically, the lens only has one issue, which is surprisingly high vignetting wide open. I've used the excellent Sigma 105mm macro for a long time with excellent performance.

[@neail5466]

Great presentation, merci.

[@WimBals]

Thanks

[@victorlim5077]

I have this lens. Wonderful compact lens. However, waiting for Nikon to come out with a DX Z body with IBIS. Then it will be a wonderful combo for walkabout.

[@WimBals]

The lens is indeed missing VR, which probably also explains why the lens is so small.

[@markacinense3195]

Thank you for your thoughts about this lens. It makes me even more excited to get it and try it out with my D500, or should I use it with my D7200 instead?

[@WimBals]

Both the D500 and the D7200 are splendid for this lens.

[@davidjohnston1374]

Here I was considering changing my D5600 for something better and more up to date but now I'm not so sure, but in order to invest in quality DX lenses, what happens if/ when my camera breaks down as they are no longer produced by Nikon apart from the D7500 at present.

[@WimBals]

The prices of DSLR bodies on the second hand market plummet, so there are gonna be a lot of great deals out there. Also with the FTZ adapter f-mount glass can still be used on newer bodies.

[@plantman6245]

Hi nice post I’m a botanist and was inking of purchasing this lens as an alternative for my 105mm macro which I use on my dx body for wildflower photography in order to reduce weight of my hiking kit. Do you think I will have issues with my kit blocking light when shooting flowers? I guess I can use external LED or small flash off camera or bump up iso?.your thoughts? Thx isaac

[@WimBals]

I think you're better off with the 60mm macro. For 1:1 you have to be very close with this lens.

[@nicerides9224]

It depends how close up you need to be. I consider this this lens to be the best for flower photography in the dx line up with it's creamy bokeh. I bought it as a package with the 10-20mm wide angle lens and both lenses have been great. The working distance is pretty close at 1:1 but otherwise you won't be disappointed. The raynox 250 on the 70-300 if you have it also works well for macro and gives you better working distance.

[@TheReaperOfTheNorth]

i just got this lens with the nikon d7500 with the 18-140mm for $1000CAN

[@WimBals]

That’s a great deal, have fun with it!

[@enochristmann1919]

thank you for sharing

[@WimBals]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@KK-no7be]

It's the only lens I use on my D7000 now.

[@WimBals]

Great 👍

[@troyxtrill]

Just bought one for my 7500

[@WimBals]

Great job !

[@RangerRik1]

Me too (for my 7500). Have you tried it yet?

[@JulesMoyaert_photo]

👍👍👍

[@WimBals]

Thanks!

[@Mixer000999]

I thought i'm the only one still using Nikon DX camera ). But speaking seriously, I think that 35mm f1.8 is a bit better as a general purpose lens because it is wider being 52mm in FF équivalent. 40mm is 60mm in FF equivalent which is limiting as a street or landscape lens and is not telephoto enough for portraits. So I would gladly use it as a macro lens if i had it, but as a general purpose i prefere my 35mm f1.8 DX lens.

[@WimBals]

There are still a lot of DX shooters, believe me. I also had the 35mm F/1.8 dx lens and, especially considering the price tag, it is an excellently sharp lens. Unfortunately, the 35mm F/1.8 dx contains a lot of distortion, axial CA, bokeh nervous wide open, and no macro function. But if the lens works well for you then that's excellent.

[@roybixby6135]

Not my favourite G lens .. 🦘

[@WimBals]

There are of course better lenses, but this lens is ideal for me as a walkaround lens. Compactness, price and image quality are in an ideal mix. What is your favorite DX lens?