Buying a Nikon AF-S 35mm 1.8

[james_tigerwoods]

I've been trying to find the above lens - my birthday has passed and I reckon I deserve this lens (!)

I'll be selling my 18-55 kit lens to (very partially) fund this and making use of Quidco if I can - however, I'm damned if I can find a site that actually has it in stock (at a reasonable price) - Is there a run on this lens or is it just me?

(I've found it on ebay, but I'm reluctant to pay a "new" price for a secondhand lens - Although, the high price might be explained by the lack of availability...)

Can anyone on PH help explain this at all??

Cheers

JTW

ETA - Why is it that Nikon fit lenses from the likes of Tamron, etc seem to be more expensive than Nikon lenses themselves?

Edited by james_tigerwoods on Tuesday 26th April 09:41

[mcflurry]

Since the Japanese earthquakes availability has dried up on loads of camera stuff.

[james_tigerwoods]

mcflurry said:

Since the Japanese earthquakes availability has dried up on loads of camera stuff.

That was something I had forgotten about - arse...

[nonuts]

There seems to be a few on Amazon, however the prices look silly to me. I think you might be better off waiting for a while until things start to sort themselves out unless you're desperate.

[SamHH]

I think it's made in China so I'm not sure how much difference the tsunami will have made.

james_tigerwoods said:

Why is it that Nikon fit lenses from the likes of Tamron, etc seem to be more expensive than Nikon lenses themselves?

If you compare like-for-like, I don't think they are.

[james_tigerwoods]

nonuts said:

There seems to be a few on Amazon, however the prices look silly to me. I think you might be better off waiting for a while until things start to sort themselves out unless you're desperate.

They are indeed pricey - I just want it now I guess I can wait, it was for me to play and learn and to do some photos at a wedding. I've been offered a loan of a D80 to play with, but I have been hankering after the 35mm for a while...

[james_tigerwoods]

SamHH said:

I think it's made in China so I'm not sure how much difference the tsunami will have made.

james_tigerwoods said:

Why is it that Nikon fit lenses from the likes of Tamron, etc seem to be more expensive than Nikon lenses themselves?

If you compare like-for-like, I don't think they are.

Cheers

[lonny]

I was in the same position a few weeks ago. Managed to get one from warehouse express.co.uk for £165. Just keep an eye on a few websites they seem to appear and disappear quickly.

[RobDickinson]

The 35afs is in short supply everywhere. No wonder, its fantastic.

[james_tigerwoods]

Interestingly one was on ebay and didn't sell - and I was watching it too...

[andy-xr]

There's one in Sheffield Jessops, the town centre one

[james_tigerwoods]

andy-xr said:

There's one in Sheffield Jessops, the town centre one

• swears** I was in Sheffield yesterday too - but not today...

[nonuts]

Might be worth seeing if Argos have any near you as well?

[james_tigerwoods]

nonuts said:

Might be worth seeing if Argos have any near you as well?

I hadn't considered Argos - They've got one in Gainsborough, but it's £40 more than I can get it online... I might head over there tomorrow though

[AndWhyNot]

Ffordes is listing a new one in stock for £173.

Used one here for £140.

If you don't need the AF-S for motor reasons, the 35mm AF f/2 D is a solid performer too. Plenty used stock at MPB for £149 - bargain price because the aperture rings have been glued in place (but glue is removeable)

[james_tigerwoods]

AndWhyNot said:

Ffordes is listing a new one in stock for £173.

Used one here for £140.

If you don't need the AF-S for motor reasons, the 35mm AF f/2 D is a solid performer too. Plenty used stock at MPB for £149 - bargain price because the aperture rings have been glued in place (but glue is removeable)

Thanks I need the AF-S as I've a D40 that needs that kind of lens - I've tried a manual and I couldn't really get on with it

[craig_s]

I can't really help with finding you one but I can say it's definitely worth the wait. I've got a D40 as well and the 35mm gives some really excellent photos. Plus it forces you to think a bit harder when you take a photo since you don't have the same flexibility that a zoom gives.

You won't be disappointed!

[james_tigerwoods]

Slight, potential, change of plan.... My 18-70 has started sticking occasionally at 24mm it's going in for repair, I'll get the 35mm if it's not too expensive to fix.

Bah, there's always something!

[craig_s]

Funnily enough I had to send my 18-70 off to get repaired about a year ago as the zoom mechanism had stuck at around 20mm. I think it was about £80 plus postage but now it is as good as new. They even gave the internals a good clean too. Unfortunately that's half the cost of a new lens though.

[james_tigerwoods]

craig_s said:

Funnily enough I had to send my 18-70 off to get repaired about a year ago as the zoom mechanism had stuck at around 20mm. I think it was about £80 plus postage but now it is as good as new. They even gave the internals a good clean too. Unfortunately that's half the cost of a new lens though.

I'm a bit gutted as I only got it second hand (from a PHer) in January - if it comes to £80 that will bring the cost to what I would have paid for it new on the plus side, I really like it.

On the down side, I'll have to forget the 35mm for a little bit