Nikkor 35-70mm/2.8D lens
Keywords: nikkor, 35_70, 35mm, 70mm
Updated January 2021. This Nikon AF-D lens was introduced back in 1992 and produced until 2005. It got an updated D chip in 1993. The lens replaced the non-D version, the AF 35-70mm/2.8 zoom which was produced October 1987 and discontinued in September 1992. My father got his non-D lens together with his F-801s (N8008s) in 1991 and I was using it quite a lot on both that body, plus a a smaller F-401 (N4004) that I had plus later on my dad's D1. It is still a great lens until this very day: It has excellent optics and is compact. If you can find it used, it can be had for a bargain. It even has a Macro setting for cheapo-on-the-fly-Macro-duties and has a max reproduction rate of 1/7.7 (1/4 at 35mm using the macro setting).
This lens comes from a time when the "trilogy" of the "must-have" zoom lenses were
- 20-35mm f/2.8D AF
- 35-70mm f/2.8D AF
- 80-200mm f/2.8D AF
This beauty goes for approx 350 USD (year 2016) on Nikonians in the "Want to sell" forums, at UsedPhotoPro and at e.g. KEH. - WHEN someone sells it! (which may not be too often). As of January 2021, it was not listed on KEH and the large auction site had some going for $60 - 200 USD.
JRP's verdict of this lens
The 35-70 is his "kit" lens when he is skiing, going "light" using one body and one lens only.
Sample shot above is from one of these trips with his "kids" using the Nikkor 35-70/2.8D
F4Eman, Gord from Canada, on the Nikkor AF 35-70/2.8
blw, Brian from the US, on this lens
- It's only 35-70, which by modern standards isn't a very wide range.
- The front element (and more importantly, the filter threads) rotate while focusing. This slightly (marginally, in my opinion) inconveniences the use of a polarizer, and fairly considerably compromises the use of graduated ND filters.
- Compared to kit lenses such as the 18-55's or even a 24-85 FX, it's a bit heavy for its size, but that's probably balanced by the solid, all-metal construction.
- It's not an AFS lens, so no focusing motor and therefore no AF on D3000/5000 or some other low end bodies that also don't have a focusing motor.
- It's not an AFS lens, so no manual override of focus.
- It's not a ring motor AFS lens, so focus speed is not as quick as it could potentially be. Having said that, I had this lens for many years, and I never missed shots due to the allegedly "agonizingly" slow focusing. In fact, I routinely was able to get it to track go-karts from only a couple of feet distance (therefore very high focus rate slew), as well as pro-level motorsports, as well as active 3-year-olds and sheepdogs. Yes, it could be faster (the 24-120, 24-85, 24-70 and 28-70/f2.8 are all notably faster) but I put that in the same category as the difference between a Porsche 911's top speed at 155mph compared to my car's top speed of "only" 130mph. Yeah, I have had my car at track days a couple of time, and it would definitely have been nice to be faster, but I've also had my car for 15 years and I'm fairly happy to have saved a very large chunk of change on the purchase price.
- IQ may not be quite as good as the best available, but it's pretty darn good. Probably these days it's down to an A-.
- It's very resistant to flare, although in that situation it's subject to a bit of ghosting and lost contrast. A far better performance than, say, the 60/f2.8 AFS Micro-Nikkor, which despite nano-crystal coating, is terribly subject to highly visible flare. Also better than, although not by as wide a margin, the 24-70/f2.8 AFS.
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Its price/performance ratio is among the very best, with a sub-$400 price (sometimes under $300) combined with excellent image quality.
Robsb, Robert from the US, on the Nikkor 35-70
Click for larger image
Verdict
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Originally written on June 17, 2016
Last updated on January 30, 2021
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5 comments
Don don (DonsD850) on March 29, 2020
Bought mine new in the 1990s. Still use it. (retired F90, F90x, F5) D300 and D850. A wonderful lens. I’ll be moving to the trilogy this year, but will use the 35-70 often too.
Charles E. Miller (hargas funk) on July 29, 2016
This lens is a steal at the going prices. I bought one in like new condition with box and all paper work for $400.00 and find no need for the high priced Nikon 24-70 F2.8.
Charles E. Miller (hargas funk) on June 30, 2016
I found one of these in like new condition in original box and all paperwork. I got about 425.00 in it and I am very happy with the performance and build of this lens. I don't plan on ever selling or trading the lens. Mine is probably one of the last made.
David Benyukhis (Starik) on June 25, 2016
I have this great lens and it has been my first Nikon lens. I was not offered anything for it, because I always hid my gear from silly questions.
Tony Wright (karton) on June 22, 2016
I have had mine for several years and love it for landscape and portraiture. I have also used the macro mode with excellent results. I did an unscientific test using the macro against my 105mm 2,8 macro and on some of the shots the 35-70 gave me better results. I was offered $400 for it and turned it down. I'm keeping it!