Nikon 35 70 f2 8d review

Nikon introduced this lens in 1987 as their first professional autofocus normal zoom. In the middle of the 90s they updated it with a 'D' chip, combined with a minor facelift. But the optical design remained the same. It was built until about 2007. Over the years I have used two samples of this lens with consistent results. I tried a third one - a non-D type in heavy used condition - but that was a bad sample. I don't count this here.

I use the 35-70mm as a standard lens. I don't really know why, but this lens has been my all-time preferred one for photographing steam locomotives, too.

Colours of autumn. D700, 35mm, F11. Special train, just arrived in Rheine main station. D200 on a tripod, 62mm, F5.6, 2.5sec. Creating a larger soap bubble, "Phaeno", Wolfsburg. D700, 44mm, F4. Evaluating corner sharpness @70mm, see 100% crop below. This shot was made hand-held with the Nikon D700 at ISO 400, F8 and 1/60sec. No post-processing was done, the image is just raw converted by Nikon Capture NX2. 100% crop of the upper left corner. Evaluating corner sharpness @35mm, see 100% crop below. This shot was made hand-held with the Nikon D700 at ISO 400, F11 and 1/160sec. 100% crop of the lower left corner. The flaring issue: if a bright light source is just outside the frame the 35-70mm is very prone to flare. Often you can help yourself a bit by using your left hand for shading, but I forgot it here. This image was captured with the D700, lens at 50mm and F8. In contrast, if you have the sun in the image, there is no problem. D700, 35mm, F4.

The Nikkor 35-70/f2.8D is a professional standard versatile lens with prime quality optical performance yet the ability to go closer (70mm) for a headshot or wide for a half body (35mm) without moving my feet.

The 35-70/2.8 was the original Nikon workhorse lens of a professional wedding photographer before Nikon released the 28-70/2.8D and then it’s replacement, the current model, Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8.

In comparison the 35-70/2.8 is an absolute bargain and I rather have this lens and a seperate wide angle prime lens and spend less money. I find it is not often that I use a 24mm focal length. 28mm is a much more useful focal length especially for work such as documentary wedding photography in small spaces.

The Nikkor 35-70 has quickly become my one lens setup for my Nikon D800 for both studio portraits and wedding photography.

Nikkor 35-70mm f2.8 Sample photos

Here are a few more Nikon D800 + 35-70/2.8 D examples –

Although I love my Leica M9 rangefinder there is occasions where it is just so nice to pickup a do-everything super easy to use DSLR, especially on a plain backdrop as here. Even using the D800 in manual mode as I do and mostly with manual lenses a DSLR is just so easy. Using the Leica M9 has made me slow down my DSLR shooting and I think I take more time considering and composing each of my images as a result of using a Leica camera m0st of the time.

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D lens is one of 5 fast normal (in terms of focal length range) professional lenses from Nikon. The lineup includes: old Nikon 35-70mm 1: 3.5 AI (and his brother AI-S), Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D (presented in this review and its previous MKI version) and three new and very solid: Nikon ED SWM AF-S Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 2.8D и Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8GN ED and Nikon N VR AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8E ED.

Review Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D lens (the so-called 'D' version, or the 'MKII' version) began to be released back in 1992 yearwhen he became a substitute for Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 (without the letter 'D', so called 'Non-D' version, or 'MKI' version). Therefore, in fact, there are two lenses of the '35 -70 / 2.8 AF 'class. All differences between MKI and MKII versions can be found here.

Sample photo on Nikon 35-70 AF F2.8D

The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to the F / 22 value and fix it with a special lever, which is located to the right of the marks aperture... If this is not done, some cameras will display an 'fEE' error (aperture ring not set). Some cameras with diaphragm rheostat, allow you to control the aperture using the aperture ring, but only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on .

Sample photo on Nikon AF 35-70 F2.8D

What is good in this lens?

1. Metal construction. My copy is at least 6 years old, but I have not noticed any backlash. Holding this lens in your hands, you understand that this is a real professional lens “Made in Japan”, which is actually written on it. And I bet he will survive modern plastic for at least another ten years.
2. The lens uses a metal hood Nikon HB-1, which is installed in special grooves and can be fastened back and forth for transportation.
3. Large and constant maximum aperture F / 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths. This is very convenient when calculating shutter speeds, convenient in low light, and indeed, the F / 2.8 aperture is an indispensable thing in photography.
4. Macro Capability. Although the macro is obtained only with a maximum magnification of 1: 4, still the ability to shoot small objects is pretty good news. Truth, Macro mode must be enabled manually, he only works at 35 mm focal length and so on in manual focus mode... To switch to macro mode, set the focal length equal to 35 mm, press the special button located on the zoom ring and turn the zoom ring. It turns out not quite a full-fledged 'macro' and even with additional troubles for setting.
5. Wonderful picture. We will talk about the quality of the final image below.
6. There is a scale for the focus distance, a scale for manual control of the aperture, as well as two marks for adjusting focus for sharpness when working in the infrared spectrum (for 35 and 70 mm focal length).

Photo at Nikon AF D 35-70 F2.8

Disadvantages:

1. Heavy... After a day of working with the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D, you realize that it is really heavy. The lens weighs 670 grams.
2. Inconvenient Design... Changing the focal length is done using a piston system (push and pull - push and pull), this can be a rather inconvenient method. There is no need to "twist" the zoom, here you just need to push it like a piston. Moreover, it acts the other way around. The further you advance, the smaller the focal length.
3. No focal length lock. If the lens is set to 35 mm and directed to the sky, then the front the lens unit under its own weight falls down and will make the focal length approximately 50 mm. But not vice versa, if you set 70 mm and point it down, then it stands still and does not lengthen its trunk. Such a cunning beast, this Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D with its piston zoom system.
4. When focusing the front lens not only rotates, but also moves back and forth. This is bad news for fans of all sorts of unusual light filters. And to put it in a photo bag, you need to set the focus to infinity, and the zoom at 70mm, this reduces the efficiency of working with the lens and gives reason to doubt his professionalism.
5. There is no manual / auto focus switch. To focus manually you must disconnect the focus drive on the camera (switch near the mount). Even when focusing in macro mode, auto focus must be turned off.
6. During focusing, the lens is pretty noisy.
7. His age. Unfortunately, the lens is not dustproof and moisture proof, because it is aging, gaining moisture, condensation and can often become infected with a fungus. When buying it in the secondary market, check carefully. Also, mechanics wear out a bit from old age and my instance also has one problem, about which below.
8. When changing the focal length, the rear lens of the lens moves (drives air).
9. The lens has only 7 aperture blades; newer models have 9 blades each.
10. Unlike many modern Nikon professional lenses that use 77 mm diameter filters, Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D uses 62 mm diameter filters.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6 Df D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90 D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500 D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500 D600, D610, D750, D780 D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850 Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

D40, D40x, D60 D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500 D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600 all digital mirrorless cameras Nikon ZDX, Nikon ZFX with Nikon FTZ/FTZ II adapter

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

Features of working with the lens, which are worth paying attention to:

1. The lens has SIC enlightened optics (Super Integrated Coating), but still afraid of side and back light
2. You need to get used to working with piston zoom (with trambone) and remember that he can independently change the focal length.
3. Always for manual focus, you need to put the camera in manual focus mode. This is simply done with the focus switch on the camera. For motorists, I’ll add that it’s the same as turning the clutch on and off, otherwise the engine could be damaged.
4. The lens has fast auto focus. The focusing time from infinity to MDF and back is almost the same as Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8GN ED(!). In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates 90 degrees. The focus ring and zoom are rubberized.
5. During auto focus, the focus ring rotates and cannot be touched. The minimum focusing distance is 60 cm (in normal lens operation).
6. When used on NikonDX cameras, the viewing angles will change and will be the same as for the focal length in 50-105 mm on 35 mm film.

Macro photo at Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor

About the picture.

The bokeh of the lens is very good. The best epithet for bokeh and in combination with its color rendition, I would suggest "festive". Exactly for bokeh and color reproduction, this lens is very appreciated and praisedI join.

Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor photo

The aperture is fully working with 2.8 and this is not a joke. Sharpness at F / 2.8 on any focal, even the most extreme, is quite satisfactory (keep in mind that I work with it on DX cameras). At 70 mm and F / 2.8 it gives excellent portrait shots. Closing the aperture to 4, you can get just wonderful sharpness. On F / 2.8, the edges of the image suffer a little (on FX cameras it may already be a problem).

Photos on the Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor

The macro is pretty meagerbut still happy. Chromatic aberrations present, but still small. Distortion at 35mm and 70mm is almost invisible, like vignetting on a DX camera. A major drawback of the picture is the drop in contrast in side and backlight. The contrast drops so much that it’s not always sure whether it’s focused correctly, the picture is all in veil. Also, the lens is a lover of catching hares and its small native metal hood does not help him in any way.

Photos at Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor

In general, it is for the sake of the picture, people still use this lens, with some moving from the legendary Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8GN ED to this Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8D with the words “the picture of Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8 has its own soul”, but as I often write “all markers are different in taste and color”.

Photo at Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor

From a personal impression:

Piston control does not only teach you to twist the zoom ring, but to think about how to compose a frame, and then try to get it conceived using a piston. The task is quite interesting, since it would seem that the longer the trunk leaves, the greater the focal length - but it wasn’t there, it’s just the opposite, because the first time it’s quite inconvenient to shoot, but you can get used to it in just one day of active shooting.

On the copy that I visited, I really did not like the glitch with focusing at the focal length of 35 mm, when the lens refuses to focus at all. This is due to his old age. When you focus on 35 mm and the range accidentally reaches 60 cm, it gets stuck there to bring the lens to life, just a little bit to move the piston - mind you, this is just a feature of my specimen.

Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor photo

Regarding the inconvenient focal lengths of 35-70 mm - on the one hand you get three fixes in one: 35mm, 50mm and 85mm, but on the other hand the fixes have at least one stop more aperture. Focal lengths for cropped cameras are really uncomfortable due to the lack of a normal wide angle.

Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor photo

Professional fast wagon

Choosing a good high-speed universal lens is one of the most important for a large number of photographers. I pay a lot of attention to this issue, because I prepared this list of all full-frame universal (standard range of focal lengths) fast autofocus lenses:

Canon

Bayonet EF:

1. Canon Zoom Lens EF 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 L USM
2. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 L USM
3. Canon Zoom Lens EF 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 L II USM

Bayonet R:

1. Canon Lens RF 28-70 mm F2 L USM, since September 2018
2. Canon Lens RF 24-70 mm F2.8L IS USMsince August 2019

Nikon

Bayonet F:

1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
3. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-70 mm 1: 2.8D ED SWM (two body color options)
4. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm 1: 2.8GN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Asphericalsince December 2007
5. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70 mm 1: 2.8EN ED Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF Aspherical VR

Bayonet Z:

1. Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70 mm 1: 2.8 S
2. Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 mm 1:2.8 (the scheme is similar to Tamron a036, animation)

Tokina (for different mounts)

1. Tokina AT-XAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 270 AF)
2. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO)
3. Tokina AT-X PROAF 28-70 mm 1: 2.6-2.8 (or 1: 2.8, Tokina AT-X 270 AF PRO II)
4. Tokina AT-X PRO 28-80 mm 1: 2.8 Aspherica (Tokina AT-X 280 AF PRO)
5. Tokina AT-X PRO SV 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (Tokina AT-X 287 AF PRO SV)
6. Tokina sd 24-70 F2.8 (IF) FX AT-X PRO Aspherical

Sigma (for different mounts, in chronological order)

1. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom, from May 1992 (Vivitar 28-70 / 2.8 VMC was made on its basis)
2. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Ashperical [+ -D], from the end 1998
3. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX Aspherical DF [+ -D]since February 2001
4. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Aspherical [+ -D], [DF version], since February 2001
5. Sigma 24-60mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], from May 2004
6. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG Macro [+ -D], From september 2004
7. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom EX DG [+ -D], From september 2004
8. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 EX DG HSM, From september 2008
9. Sigma 24-70mm 1:2.8 DG HSM OS A (ART), from February 2017, Nikon F, Canon EF, Sigma SA
10. Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN A (ART)since November 2019, Sony E, Leica L, the layout is similar to Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 2.8 / 24-70mm, animation
11. Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN C (Contemporary)since February 2021, Sony E, Leica L

Tamron (for different mounts)

1. Tamron SP AF 35-105 mm 1: 2.8 Aspherical Model 65D
2. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105 mm 1: 2.8 Model 176D
3. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105 mm 1: 2.8 Model 276D
4. Tamron SP AF Aspherical XR Di LD [IF] 28-75 mm 1: 2.8 Macro Model A09 (Model A09N & Model A09N II) (scheme like Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75mm 1: 2.8 (32) D и Sony 2.8 / 28-75 SAM)
5. Tamron SP 24-70 mm F / 2.8 DI VC USD Model A007
6. Tamron SP 24-70 mm F / 2.8 Di VC USD G2 Model A032
7. Tamron 28-75 mm F / 2.8 Di III RXD Model A036, (15/12), only for Sony E / FE, the scheme is similar to Nikon Nikkor Z 28-75 mm 1:2.8, animation
8. Tamron 28-75 mm F / 2.8 Di III VXD G2 Model A063, (17/15), only for Sony E / FE, Fall 2021
9. Tamron 35-150 mm F / 2-2.8 Di III VXD Model A058, Sony E / FE only, Fall 2021

Sony

Sony / Minolta A mount:

1. Konica Minolta AF Zoom 28-75 mm 1: 2.8 (32) D (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
2. Minolta AF Zoom 28-70 mm 1: 2.8 (32) G
3. Sony 2.8 /28-75 SAM (scheme like Tamron 28-75 / 2.8)
4. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24-70 ZA SSM T *
5. Sony Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 2,8 /24-70 ZA SSM II T* (circuit from the previous lens)

Sony E-mount:

1. Sony FE 2.8 /24-70 GM (G, SEL2470GM)
2. Sony FE 2.8 /24-70 mm GM II (G, SEL2470GM2)

Pentax (K)

1. Pentax SMC FA 28-70 mm f / 2.8
2. Pentax HD Pentax-D FA 24-70 mm f / 2.8ED SDM WR

Angénieux

1. Angenieux zoom F.28-70 1: 2.6 AF (for Nikon F, Minolta / Sony A, Canon EF)

Vivitar

1. Vivitar Series 1 28-70mm 1: 2.8 VMC AUTO FOCUS ZOOM, different mounts, presumably a copy Sigma 28-70mm 1: 2.8 Zoom

Panasonic

1. Panasonic Lumix S PRO 1: 2.8 /24-70 mm, from August 2019, Leica L

Leica

1. Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 1: 2.8 / 24-70mm f / 2.8 ASPH., from May 2021, the optical design repeats Sigma 24-70mm 1: 2.8 DG DN Art (animation)

Samyang

1. Samyang AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, aka Rokinon AF 24-70 / 2.8 FE, from October 2021, only for Sony E / FE
2. Samyang AF 35-150/2-2.8FE, from April April 2023, only for Sony E/FE

Sample photos with shooting data (originals, RAW in JPEG Q80%, resized, watermark)

List of all Nikon FX 35-XXX autofocus lenses:

1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
3. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)
4. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)
5. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKI)
6. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKII)
7. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
8. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)
9. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 D (MKIII)
10. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
11. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

The catalog of modern universal lenses for Nikon can be look at this link.

Prices for the Nikon 35-70mm f / 2.8D AF Zoom-Nikkor lens in popular stores can look at this link.

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Hack and predictor Aviator

The lens has more minuses than pluses, but still this old man can calmly give modern super sharp optics his indestructible design and a wonderful picture. But for what purpose are all lenses designed?

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

What is a 35

Buy the Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor (From Nikon lens literature) Excellent, fast aperture zoom lens for general photography. Push-pull type zoom is ideal for zoom effects during shooting. Distortion is well controlled throughout range.

When did the Nikon 35 70 2.8 come out?

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.

How much does the Nikon Z 24 70mm f2 8 s zoom weight?

Specifications.