Nikon 35-70 F2.8 any views?

T

Thegreatroberto

Messages
612
Name
Robert
Edit My Images
No
Like is says. Interested in a standard zoom that is super sharp, and a reasonable size. Don't want the bulk of a nikon 24-70 or 28-70 ( but would be happy with the range).
Needs to be a nikon lens. Tried others, and never 100% happy.
Read all the blurb on the usual sites, so would be interested on the views of those that have used this lens on FF bodies.
Thanks
 
It was the predecessor of the Nikon 28-70 f2.8, and was used widely by pro-photographers - it is a super sharp lens, solid yet light and has the advantage of a macro setting.
I've used it on the D3S and D800 and I don't see me parting with mine anytime soon :)
 
I used one extensively quite a few years ago. Nice lens. sharp wide open. Not quite up there with new lenses, but as you've probably realised, used prices are very low... so all in all.. a bargain no doubt.

ALL SLRs were full frame when this lens was designed :)
 
I've got the 35-70 and the 24-70, both wonderful lenses, common sense says I should sell the 35-70, to be honest I can't bring myself to bother, It's got to be the best £200 I've ever spent on glass and I find its 'macro' mode useful on occasions.
 
Another for a great lens,and can be pick up at a bargain price,and i find most of my shots theses days are taken in the 35-70mm range :)
 
Not looking for any downsides, but does it have any?
Rockwell talks about flare. What about sharpness wide open? And sharpness at the edges? Not really fussed about AF speed.
 
Edge sharpness wide open is not as good as the 24-70, no, but it's not half bad, and well in excess of cheaper, more consumer oriented kit type lenses.

It is prone to flare.. I found it more prone at the longer end actually. I think Ken Cockwell suggests the shorter if memory serves... but he's an idiot who constantly contradicts himself, so I take everything he says with a pinch of salt.

I lived with the 35-70 for a long, long time, and never had any complaints apart from they tend to feel "loose"... and the end section has a lot of play. They're all like this though.. it's normal. AF is slow... but you're not bothered about that.

I can't think of anything else to say. Great lens.
 
I use mine all the time in the studio over the 24-70, light and easy to use and very sharp.. I should sell the 24-70 really as I am more than happy with the images it produces.

My mate Steve Colby the glamour photographer has used the same lens for years and his work gets published in magazines all over the world
 
OK. So some feedback. I've bought a rather nice one. And first impressions are:

Built like a tank!
Limited range ( no surprise here, it is only 35-70)
Sharp. Not perhaps like my 16-35 F/4 and 70-200 F/4. But very good. And sharp upto the edges at F3.3. Not tried fully open yet.
Nice contrast.
interesting "macro" facility, albeit at35mm and manual focus.
So far, very impressed.
 
He has a full frame camera... that's a DX lens.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top