Recommend a light, high-quality, MF zoom to replace my 35-105

[LyleB]

Hey all, since I started using my first FM2, I've been using a 35-105 zoom as a single lens to carry for backpacking. I have been pretty happy with it, but would enjoy something a little wider. Some folks don't feel this is the best quality and that there are newer zooms that are better. I'm looking for some recommendations, taking into account sharpness, contrast, distortion, speed, weight, size, etc.

What would be your choice for an all-around, carry it for multiple day hikes, lens?

Thanks.

 

[fstop]

E series cheaper and lighter

 

[John Koehrer]

28-105 AF Nikkor is pretty decent, the 24-120's that I've seen seem to get loose pretty fast.
The Series E is a 75-150 I believe.

 

[rycm]

I use the 28-85mm f3.5-4.5 AF, small-light and decent quality. But the manual focus ring is too thin and hard to get a grip on and very loose.

 

[Excalibur2]

Kiron 28mm-105mm f3.2 f4.5 is a good zoom

 

[LunoLuno]

How about the Ai AF 28-70mm F3.5-4.8S/D, Nikon's first hybrid aspherical?

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/287035af.htm

 

[DaveO]

I like my Nikon 28-105 a lot, plus it does macro.

DaveO

 

[LyleB]

Thanks

Thank you to all who have responded. You have given me some examples to keep an eye out for. I was shying away from AF lenses, because most of my newer ones are tougher to manually focus accurately, less damped. Guess those are the only real options though.

 

[OldBodyOldSoul]

I was going to say 50-135/3.5 but it fails to satisfy your "wider" and "lighter" conditions. It more than satisfies the "high quality" condition though.

I am thinking of getting the 28-105 myself, it should be light, relatively cheap and quite good.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

28-50 AIS, and a 50-135 AIS. Or, use primes instead.

-J

 

[macrorie]

How about the Ai AF 28-70mm F3.5-4.8S/D, Nikon's first hybrid aspherical?

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/287035af.htm

I was amazed at the image quality of this lens, which is available for very low $$. I also own the 50-135mm, which is great, but kind of a big chunk of metal and glass.

 

[Russ - SVP]

The Nikon 28-105AF, the Kiron 28-105 and the Vivitar Series 1 28-90 are superb performers.

 

[brucemuir]

The problem with AF era zooms is the focus throw/damping is not optimal for manual focussing.
The 28-105AF does have a good rep but I don't know if I would want to use one for manual focussing.

 

[mgb74]

I've been pleased with results from my Tamron 28-80 on Nikon FMs. Well built, but not particularly light.

 

[Russ - SVP]

The problem with AF era zooms is the focus throw/damping is not optimal for manual focussing.
The 28-105AF does have a good rep but I don't know if I would want to use one for manual focussing.

If you are looking to stay with a manual focus lens, then I highly suggest the Vivitar Series 1 28-90 or the Kiron 28-105.