The
Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED IF
by
J. Ramón Palacios
tell
a friend about this article
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CONFRONTING
THE BEAST
So
I entered the store, trying not to run, approached the counter
and talked to the lady sporting a Nikon Millennium polo shirt.
After confirming they did not carry Tokina lenses, I asked her
to show me any AF-S lenses she might have. Knowingly, smiled and
proceeded to hand me a F100 and a monster lens which she extracted
from an elegant Nikon leather case. After saying softly "Careful"
as I mounted the lens, she then added, almost innocently, "Just
look trough the viewfinder".
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The
super wide angle zoom Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED IF on
a F100
.
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It
was dangerously instantaneous, love at first sight. The
image through the viewfinder was bright, straight, crisp, without
any apparent distortion. I zoomed out and noticed it did not
change it's focus, nor the front element rotated!. Wow! 17mm
is wide!. Moved the camera's focus mode to "M" and the switch
on the lens to "M" for manual focussing and it slided gently,
without a sound. The barrel focusing ring also slided effortless
and silent........ Switching back, auto focus was almost painfully
fast, as if I almost wanted it to last longer.
So
I had no choice ...
Captivated,
with NAS in hyper mode I uttered: "Could you please mount
it on a brand new F5?."
Her smile was now wider; showing a set of perfect teeth
over her very attractive Cuban face, she mounted the beast
on the marvelous F5. |
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Pretending
not to be astonished after seeing through the viewfinder, and
as if I had been long acquainted with and accustomed to the F5,
with some effort not to stammer I added: "I'll take them both,
thank you. Any other AF-S lens in stock?", with the hope to sound
casual.
Unfortunately
there were no other AF-S lenses in stock.
Nevertheless,
before I left, a Nikkor AF 35-70mm f/2.8D, a Nikon SB-28
speedlight, several Nikon filters, including a huge polarizer,
lens wraps and a new Tamrac 709 Convertible bag were added
to my tab. |
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And
then she insisted on helping me pack. The Velcro strips of the
Tamrac partitions voluptuously went hooked and unhooked as she
tried several two tier configurations.
After
a few careful and dedicated attempts she was satisfied. In the
process, she confided to be the proud owner of three F3 bodies
and several classic MF prime lenses. She finally finished packing,
the way she would have wanted it if the long trip back home were
hers. And so she said it.
Don't
ask me why or how but our last glance at each others eyes almost
felt like if we just had great sex, sadly knowing we had to part.
Maybe simply because we both are, after all, Nikon lovers.
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