1. F/2.8 enables fast autofocus and bright viewfinder image;
2. Push/pull zoom ring is quicker than turn type zoom ring;
3. Smaller than AF-S version;
4. Smooth focus ring; and
5. Very good macro lens.

1. Antiquated optics and mechanics;
2. Not as sharp at f/2.8 to f4.5;
3. The centre is almost as sharp at f/5.6 to f/16.0 as the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70 mm f/2.8 D IF-ED;
4. Some zoom creep when lens is pointed downwards; and
5. Overpriced for this limited and non-popular zoom range.

Not as sharp as the AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70 mm f/2.8 D IF-ED. Does not have light falloff at larger apertures like the AF 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6 D. The autofocus is not as noisy as the AF 24-120 mm. If you cannot afford an overpriced AF-S f/2.8 lens then you should purchase a used AF 35-70 mm f/2.8 D because Nikkor does not have anything else that is affordable and fast in this focal range.

Customer Service

Never used for this lens.

Similar Products Used:

AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70 mm f/2.8 D IF-ED and AF 24-120 mm f/3.5-5.6 D.

Solid and sharp

should be 28-70

I haven't used it that long but I recently took some pictures of my kids and I was impressed. It could have better range, but so far I am happy with it.

Customer Service

not yet

Similar Products Used:

Tokina 28-70 2.8 Pro II

Fast lens, fixed max aparture through the zoom range, excellent optics, cannot say cheap, but not so expensive for this type of lens, solid built.

A bit long and heavy, push-pull type zoom, macro mode at 35mm, no auto focus in macro mode.

Through the pictures I took with this lens, I know it is a very good lens. Comparing the pictures taken with this lens with those of 24-120mm and 28-105mm, better sharpness and color saturation were seen clearly. Strongly recommended. Get this lens, don't go for the variable aperture. With only $100 more from the 24-120mm, we can get a lens at different level although the range of this one is limited (2X). But take a look at the 28-70mm f2.8 AF-S, we get only 1 step wider, plus a silent wave motor and ED glass (I don't think ED glass will improve the picture quality at these focal lengths), but have to pay 2.5 times the price of this lens ( $600).

Customer Service

Never need it.

Similar Products Used:

Canon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM, Nikon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5D, 24-120mm f3.5-5.6D, 80-200mm f2.8D, 28mm f2.8D, and 50mm f1.4D

Fast, Sharp, very good contast

None

A very good if I had only one lens to own.

Customer Service

Not needed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor primes in same range.

Sharp and contrasty

Range, price

Love this lens. It is sharp and contrasty at all apertures. I boght it after years of using the 24-50, and never being satisfied with its sharpness. When I saw the images from the first roll shot with the 35-70, it felt as if I just got new presctiption eyeglasses. It is also very well built. As with all Nikon, you pay through the nose for good quality.

Customer Service

None so far

Similar Products Used:

24-50 f3.3-4.5

Very sharp and fast, professional feel, though expensive.

Rotating front element, making use of a polarizer less convenient.

Great lens, although limited range. Expensive, but a decent value if bought used (as I did).

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

None

Constant 2.8 aperture, outstanding optics, somewhat compact.

The front rotates when focusing, presenting a small irritation when using a polarizing filter.

For many years I used the Nikon F2AS and the Nikon FM cameras with a variety of fixed focal length Nikkor Lenses. A few weeks ago, I purchased a Nikon N80 and the 35 - 70 f2.8 zoom lens. I use this camera and lens combination to take pictures of my two young daughters( one and three years ). The ease of use of this combination, as well as the quality of the lens, allows me to recommend it to most photographers who may require these focal lengths. The lens is very sharp. It has excellent color saturation. It can be used under circumstances much more demanding than mine. I recommend it, highly.

Customer Service

I've never used it.

Similar Products Used:

While I have used many fixed focal length Nikkor lenses, this is the first Nikkor zoom lens I have owned.

Fast lens, great sharpness and with the AF-D works extremely well with the F90x (N90s). Decent macro (not a perfect sub for a good macro lens, but will do the job).

Not Internal Focus (IF) and therefore annoys me when using my cirular polarizer. Also wished it was not a barrel zoom.

Fits well in my line up of lenses (17-35, 35-70, and 80-200). My least used lens (approx 20% of the time) because of the barrel zoom and the fact not internal focus.

Customer Service

Never needed to use.

Similar Products Used:

None

-This is an absolutely amazing lens! It takes supurbly sharp images, it's very, very fast, which is great for low-light shooting, and having such a narrow dof is great for portrait work, even though I don't do a lot of that.

-This lens' only weakness is its somewhat limited focal range.
-Oh wait, one more weakness: I've found that it tends to flare easily, so use a lens hood.

This is a supurb lens. Even though it has a somewhat limited range, the creative possibilities remain almost endless! It's built like a rock, and produces amazing photographs.
If you are a pro, and want to spend the extra $1000, get an AF-S 28-70, but otherwise, this is the lens of choice!

Customer Service

Never had to use them. this lens is built like a rock!

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 50mm f/1.8]
Nikon 80-200 f/4.5-5.6

Very well built
Very good colours
Very sharp
Feels right

Perhaps a bit expensive but quality costs.
Some deviations in picture quality.

Although this lens has been around for some time now, it might very well be the best 35-70 f/2.8 zoom available for IT`S PRICE even today, and should undoubtedly be regarded as a pro-lens.

I have taken many of best pictures with this lens and I really love the lifelike colours and degree of sharpness it offers (Sometimes close to the primes.)

It does NOT perform equally well at all apertures and focal lengths but is really good from f5.6.
(Normal behaviour for a zoom.)

If you are to buy a high quality zoom lens don`t be tempted to buy a 28-70 (or 28-80) zoom as they don`t come near this 35-70 lens when it comes to image quality. (Except the new, expensive Nikkor 28-70 IF-ED of course.)

A performer.

Customer Service

???

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 50 1.4D
Sigma 28-70 f2.8 EX
Nikkor 18-35 f3.5-4.5D
Nikkor 70-300 f4.0-5.6D
Nikkor 300 f4.0 ED