Nikon has just announced the AF-S DX 35mm f1.8 G lens, a fast aperture prime lens with a DX equivalent focal length of 52mm, which replicates the classic 50mm focal length, long a standard in photography for having a field of vision very close to the human eye. Anyone can use it for travel, general photography, landscape shooting, portraiture or pushing creative boundaries.

This new f1.8 aperture is perfectly fit for low-light shooting, having a narrow depth-of-field for portraits or anytime you want to blur the background. The lens has a closest focusing distance of 11.7 inches and features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor for fast and quiet auto focusing. It’s compact and lightweight at 7 ounces.

Nikon is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology. Nikon distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics,  and Speedlights and system accessories. Nikon’s products also include binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments and the steppers used in photolitography steps of semiconductor fabrication. It was founded in 1917 and it was renamed Nikon after its cameras, in 1988.

The new Nikon Super Integrated Coating on the lens reduces chromatic aberration and lens flare. The estimative price for the AF-s 35mm f1.8 G lens is $199.95 and it will available for sale starting March 2009. It’s pretty affordable and it can easily become a fast favorite for any level of photographer, being the perfect complement to D60 users who are just starting to learn D-SLR photography. It remains to be seen if the lens will have the desired success.