Thoughts on Nikkor 35-70 f/3.5 AI?

anta40 · Nov 2, 2017

I'm looking for a walk-around lens for my F2AS. While browsing Facebook, I found someone selling a Nikkor 35-70 f/3.5 AI at a very affordable price. Couldn't find many reviews/sample images, though.

So far, all the reviews say that it's an excellent lens, even better than it's f/2.8 brother. Focal length wise, the lens covers all my need. I rarely shot landscape, 35mm is wide enough for me. If need "bokeh" for portrait, I already have 50/1.8D and 105/2.5 AI.

I'm interested in your opinion about this lens, hopefully with sample images

Paul Howell · Nov 2, 2017

I had one, was tossed in with a FG I bought as a second body for my F3P, build quality was not great, not as sharp as a prime, as a travel lens not at all bad. On the other hand a 28 to 80 or 90 has more range. Never had the Nikon versions, but my Minolta A mount, 35 to 70 is sharper, but I tend to carry a 28 to 100 for the range.

TheRook · Nov 2, 2017

I have such lens, which I use occasionally. I agree with Howell - as a travel lens it is not a bad choice. Especially if you plan to bring only one lens with you but want more focal length flexibility than a prime lens.

macfred · Nov 2, 2017

My only Nikkor Zoom I use with my F2 Photomics (I have two) is the Nikkor 25-50mm f/4 Ai ( https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/2550mm.htm ) - often paired with the Nikkor P-Auto 105mm f/2.5 non-Ai.
I can really recommend this lens - image- and built quality is excellent - I will never regret to have chosen it. The only drawback could be the weight ( about 600g ) but for me it adds a solid, high quality feel together with the F2.

There is a flickr group for this lens with some very nice images : https://www.flickr.com/groups/1500384@N24/pool/with/36610309213/

BrianVS · Nov 2, 2017

I had one many years ago- it was big, used 72mm filters and had separate zoom ring and focus. The front element rotates as you focus. I prefer the one-touch zooms. I traded it for a 35~105/3.5~4.5 which gave more of a zoom range and uses 52mm filters. The variable aperture was fine for the F3, FE, and EL2.

The 35~70 was sharp, but no examples scanned in.

anta40 · Nov 2, 2017

macfred said:
My only Nikkor Zoom I use with my F2 Photomics (I have two) is the Nikkor 25-50mm f/4 Ai ( https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/zoomsMF/2550mm.htm )

Hmm interesting focal range here. For travelling, probably the 35-70 offers more flexibility for me.
I'll try it someday, though

Mick Fagan · Nov 3, 2017

I don’t have sample images, but I had one of these and it was a beautiful lens. Takes 72mm filters, which fitted in well with my Nikon 52mm and 72mm filters.

It is an interesting lens to use as all movement is internal. What was a surprise for me was when I found I could focus on someone, then switch rings and zoom in or out to make multiple framing scenarios. I used this feature more than a few times at weddings when the bride and groom were signing their papers. I found I could focus on the hand with the pen, or on the face, then zoom in to get a tight crop, or zoom out to get a more overall scene picture very quickly.

It is an excellent lens and works perfectly with my F3, with or without drive attached. It was my bicycle lens along with my FE2 body for minimalist kit.

Sadly it was borrowed by a good friend and suffered terminal damage in an automobile crash. Fortunately the friend survived, shaken but very much alive.

I have the Nikon 35-105 and this was picked up new around 1977/8, I still have it, but hardly ever use it; it is soft. I mainly use the 35-105 as a loaner lens. If I ever found another 35-70 AI I doubt very much if I would ever lend it out.

Mick.

narsuitus · Nov 3, 2017

anta40 said:
So far, all the reviews say that it's an excellent lens, even better than it's f/2.8 brother.

The f/3.5 is manual focus.
The f/2.8 is auto focus.

The f/3.5 was first produced in 1976.
The f/2.8 was first produced in 1987.

The f/3.5 uses 72mm filters.
The f/2.8 uses 62mm filters.

I have never used the f/3.5 version.
I use the f/2.8 version (see lens on left in image below).

Nikon Mid-Range Zooms by Narsuitus, on Flickr

RalphLambrecht · Nov 3, 2017

anta40 said:
I'm looking for a walk-around lens for my F2AS. While browsing Facebook, I found someone selling a Nikkor 35-70 f/3.5 AI at a very affordable price. Couldn't find many reviews/sample images, though.

So far, all the reviews say that it's an excellent lens, even better than it's f/2.8 brother. Focal length wise, the lens covers all my need. I rarely shot landscape, 35mm is wide enough for me. If need "bokeh" for portrait, I already have 50/1.8D and 105/2.5 AI.

I'm interested in your opinion about this lens, hopefully with sample images

search for Ken Rockwell's online review. I trust reviews more than anyone else. A to this lens, I have a copy and use it as a travel lens. Optically, it's a dog. Only benefits are cheap and light. stopped down to f/8, it's OK but nothing to write home about.

twelvetone12 · Nov 3, 2017

I have the 72mm version, I like it a lot, quite sharp but a bit heavy. I think a very good zoom if you get it cheap.

RalphLambrecht · Nov 3, 2017

twelvetone12 said:
I have the 72mm version, I like it a lot, quite sharp but a bit heavy. I think a very good zoom if you get it cheap.

I'm not familiar with that version; only know the 35-70 with 52mm filter thread.

narsuitus · Nov 3, 2017

RalphLambrecht said:
...only know the 35-70 with 52mm filter thread.

The 35-70mm that uses a 52mm filter is not a constant aperture lens but an f/3.3 to f/4.5 variable aperture lens.

Neil Grant · Nov 3, 2017

anta40 said:
I'm looking for a walk-around lens for my F2AS. While browsing Facebook, I found someone selling a Nikkor 35-70 f/3.5 AI at a very affordable price. Couldn't find many reviews/sample images, though.

So far, all the reviews say that it's an excellent lens, even better than it's f/2.8 brother. Focal length wise, the lens covers all my need. I rarely shot landscape, 35mm is wide enough for me. If need "bokeh" for portrait, I already have 50/1.8D and 105/2.5 AI.

I'm interested in your opinion about this lens, hopefully with sample images

...opinions on two different lenses are being expressed here! A budget model (possibly with variable aperture) and the constant aperture f/3.5 version - which in it's final AiS incarnation, is stunning. More compact than the Ai, macro focussing, mechanically and optically it's as good as they get.

Eric Rose · Nov 3, 2017

If you go to http://ericrose.com/index.php/color/turkey many of the shots taken in this gallery were made using the lens you are asking about. The obviously WA shots were not. I found the lens to be quite sharp. Prior to going to Turkey I had asked Steve McCurry what he recommended I use as I was trying to keep my weight down and needed a do almost everything lens. This is the lens he recommended and mentioned he had used it extensively.

ronnies · Nov 3, 2017

Neil Grant said:
...opinions on two different lenses are being expressed here! A budget model (possibly with variable aperture) and the constant aperture f/3.5 version - which in it's final AiS incarnation, is stunning. More compact than the Ai, macro focussing, mechanically and optically it's as good as they get.

There are three versions. The fixed 3.5, the 3.5-4.5 and a 3.5-4.8 which was made by Cosina for the FM10 ( and possibly the FE10).

Ronnie

Eric Rose · Nov 3, 2017

I have to apologize, I was mistaken. The lens I have is the 28-70 Nikkor f3.5- 4.5 AF AIS

jimjm · Nov 3, 2017

I've got the later 35-70/3.5 AIS Macro, which uses 62mm filters and is a bit lighter than the AI version. Optically, lens construction is similar to the AI version, but added macro capability and improved performance (so I've read). I've tested this lens against two other MF zooms, the 28-85/3.5-4.5 AIS and the 35-105/3.5-4.5 AIS, and the 35-70 is the best of the three in terms of contrast and sharpness. However, unless you're a "pixel-peeper", I would think the AI version would be more than good enough for anyone. No example shots from the 35-70 available to post here, but here's one from the "inferior" 35-105 lens, which I probably use more because of the longer focal range.

ac12 · Nov 3, 2017

For decades I used the 43-86 (version 1 then version 2) as my walk-about lens.
I found that the short end of the 43-86 was not wide enough, so recently switched to the 35-105. The 35-105 expands the range on both ends to be a very useful GP/walk-about lens, for me. The 35-105 is also NOT a heavy/bulky lens, making it easier to carry.

Thoughts on Nikkor 35-70 f/3.5 AI?

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