Ai AF Nikkor 35mm f2D

Meet the Ai AF Nikkor 35mm f2D, Nikon's autofocus wide-angle lens released in 1995 — the definitive "35mm f2" of the film SLR era. A straightforward 6-element, 5-group design that focuses down to 25cm and weighs a mere 205g. Its roots lie in the manual-focus Ai Nikkor 35mm f2: soft with gently falling-off corners wide open, crisp to the edges once stopped down. A step wider than a 50mm, the 35mm frames a scene together with where you're standing — one lens is enough for a whole trip. And it's still easy to find secondhand.

I took it to Naha, Okinawa. From a rise above the town, white sand, an emerald sea and the tropical streets all fit into a single frame. Neither too wide nor too tight, the 35mm brings home "that view" just as your eyes saw it. Even under harsh sun the blues stay clean — this lens has a cheerful heart. That trip became a chapter of my photo book "Vintage Lens Strolls #season6".

In spring, Mt. Makihata in the Joshin-etsu range. Small tarns appeared along the ridge among the remaining snow — sky, snow and fresh green all in one frame. In the mountains its lightness is a gift: hanging from my neck the whole climb, never a burden. Not too wide, the 35mm keeps the scale of the ridge while taking in the water at your feet.

Autumn brought Mt. Naeba. Across the broad summit marsh, boardwalks ran on and on, clouds drifting beyond the russet grasses. Stopped down a little, shooting from the planks in front to the sky beyond — this lens is very good at photographing a path. I kept stopping for one more frame.

And winter: Mt. Shimagare in northern Yatsugatake. In a white world of rime-covered trees, a climber's red jacket stood out. Even in a whiteout the autofocus never hesitated, and I could shoot with gloves on — the reassurance of an AF lens. From summer Okinawa to a winter summit, one lens carried me through all four seasons. Light and sharp, a 35mm like this might be just right for your travels too.