NikonL35 AD

The Nikon L35 AD comes out of the late 1980s, the golden age of the autofocus point-and-shoot. Catalogued as a autofocus compact, it pairs the Nikon 35mm f/2.8 with a 35mm film path. A bit of background: an update of the original L35AF Pikaichi with DX coding and a built-in auto flash.

Format

35mm

Year

1985

Lens

Nikon 35mm f/2.8

Min. focus

1.0 m

Flash

Built-in auto

Battery

2× AA

The Nikon 35mm f/2.8 sits in the daylight sweet spot: sharp wide open, well-corrected against flare, and small enough to disappear in a jacket pocket. Standard 35mm keeps it compatible with whatever Kodak, Ilford, Fuji or CineStill stock you find on the shelf today. It runs on common AA batteries — you can resurrect one on a Sunday afternoon with whatever the corner shop has in stock. The built-in flash will fire whenever the meter decides it should, so learn the override before your first night out. Minimum focus is 1.0 m, close enough for a coffee cup or a face but stops short of true macro. One thing worth knowing before you load a roll: sold in some markets simply as the 'Nikon AD' — same legendary glass, more automation. Best for street, travel and environmental portraits — 35mm is the all-rounder documentary photographers default to.

The Nikon L35 AD has its fans for a reason, but it's no longer a secret — set a strict budget, hold out for a clean copy, and don't overpay for a famous name.

• §1An update of the original L35AF Pikaichi with DX coding and a built-in auto flash.
• §2Sold in some markets simply as the 'Nikon AD' — same legendary glass, more automation.