Ive been shooting with my D7200 for a few years now, and honestly, I thought I had my kit dialed in perfectly. But last weekend, my trusty 35mm prime just stopped focusing entirely—the motor is making this awful grinding noise and I am pretty sure it is toast. I have a wedding coming up in three weeks in Chicago and I am honestly panicking a bit because I dont have a backup for the low-light shots.
I really need something fast and sharp, but my budget is super tight right now, maybe around 200 bucks max if I look at the used market. I have been eyeing a few of the older Nikon AF-S DX lenses, but I am worried about the build quality after what just happened to my last one. Should I just try to find another used 35mm f/1.8 or is there a sleeper third-party option that wont fall apart on me during the reception? I just need to get through this gig without looking like a complete amateur. What are you guys using for budget glass on DX bodies these days?
Adding my two cents here, I had a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art lens fail on me right before a shoot once because the internal ribbon cable just snapped. Unfortunately, the build quality on some of these budget primes is a bit hit or miss, and honestly, the focus accuracy on third-party glass at f/1.4 can be a massive headache in low light. If you are really stuck, try to find a used Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G Micro. It is surprisingly sharp for the price and the build feels a bit more solid than the standard 35mm. It is not quite as fast, but you wont have to deal with as much focus hunting during the reception. Just dont rely on wide-open shots the whole night and you should be fine.
> I have been eyeing a few of the older Nikon AF-S DX lenses, but I am worried about the build quality Man, that sucks about your lens. Honestly, dont sweat it too much. You should grab a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G used. It is cheap and reliable for the price. Just be careful with the mount, it is plastic. It should totally handle that wedding gig if you are careful!
Honestly, I have been there. Had my motor die mid-shoot years ago and it is a nightmare. I would steer clear of those cheap older third-party options for a wedding. The autofocus hunting is just too unpredictable when the lights get low. I ended up sticking with the native glass because the consistency matters way more than saving a few bucks when you have a client counting on you.
