"The other obvious question was why the lens should be restricted to the DX format, given that Nikon now makes three FX, full-frame bodies: "It's about price, size and weight. We wanted this to be a lens for the entry-level. If we'd tried to make an FX 35mm F1.4 it might cost €1400, rather than €200, and we wanted to make sure it was an affordable lens." Drean says. Robert Cristina offers some context: "The main target is D40/D60/D90 owners. They make up 80% of our DSLR sales and there wasn't really an inexpensive prime lens for them. So far, the lens offering for that market has included some really good zooms, but this offers them something they were missing."" - Benjamin Golub from Bookmarklet

Well at least now we know how much they'd charge for a 35mm f/1.4 G. $1800? Youch. ;-p - ronin

Proof that we should not be afraid of investing in the DX format. It won't be disappearing anytime soon. - Benjamin Golub

After seeing how the Canon 5D Mark II performs in low light, I am very seriously considering defecting to the other side... - Tudor Bosman

The D700 is similar isn't it? Rachel's low light photos with it have really impressed me. - Benjamin Golub from IM

For affordability, the best deal had been the 50mm F/1.8 for a n00b. I own one and it's a nice little lens. Not a blockbuster, but pretty damn good for a $100 or so. I will be using DX for the forseable future. - Eric @ CS Techcast

Where do people see the line between investing more in the DX line and making the jump to upgrade to a full-sensor camera? I'm currently eyeing the 12-24mm Nikkor DX but it bothers me that I won't be using it if/when I upgrade. - Dylan Parker

Dylan: I think it depends on how soon you expect to go FX as the 12-24mm is expensive and definitely more of an investment than this 35mm. If you plan on holding onto the lens for a few years or are going to be missing shots that you otherwise couldn't get then I say go for it! I expect there will still be a market for used DX lenses after we've moved onto FX anyway. - Benjamin Golub

I still use my DX lenses on my FX camera (D700). The vignetting varies with the lens and the amount of zoom. At full zoom, the 18-135mm is fine. At 18mm it's a circle in a sea of black, but that's fun too, and you can always crop (at shoot time, if you prefer) if you're not going to print it large. For real gigs, I rent nice lenses, but even if I were ready to splash out the money, I'd rarely carry them around. The 70-200mm f/2.8 is sweet though. :) - Seth