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35-70/3.5 AIS Nikkor

dynachrome

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Joined
Sep 16, 2006
Messages
1,862
Format
35mm
I took delivery today of a 35-70/3.5 AIS lens. When the lens is not attached to a camera and I look through it,, with the aperture set to f/3.5, the view is round at the 70mm setting. As I turn the zoom ring in the direction of the 35mm setting, I see the seven aperture blades. Is this normal?
 
At aperture 3.5 at 70mm you will have a physical opening of 20mm and at 35mm the opening should be 10mm
 
At aperture 3.5 at 70mm you will have a physical opening of 20mm and at 35mm the opening should be 10mm

I had never thought about that. So it means the lens could be one stop faster at the shortest focal length, if the light path would allow for it.
 

Yes, this is normal on constant-aperture zoom lenses.

At the short end the diaphragm automatically stops down to maintain the constant f3.5 speed.