Nikon AF Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED 35mm Zoom
Nikon AF Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D IF-ED 35mm Zoom
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[Nov 03, 2000]
Savas
Intermediate
Strength:
- Lightweight
Weakness:
- Polycarbonate ? Well what can I say. I recently trialled the Sigma 17-35 EX f-2.8-4 lens and was fortunate enough to recently be allowed to also test out this new addition to the Nikon line of lenses (it arrived in Australia only recently). I have reviewed/used the Sigma lens see Sigma 17-35...)and found that to be fantastic. However, after using this new Nikon lense I am now in a dilemma as to which lens to settle on. The new Nikon 18-35 f/3.5-4.5 lens I believe has the edge over the Sigma lens as far as Optics are concerned in overall sharpness both in the centre and at the edges (a close call though)possibly due to the ED glass?. The Nikon lens seems to be sharper at the edges throughout the focal range wide open at 5.6 compared to the Sigma lens which is still too soft for my liking. The Sigma lens 'feels' better built than the Nikon, but hey they are still both of Polycarb. construct.! Good or bad..only time will tell. The Nikon lens might not be as fast or as wide as the Sigma but for landscape photography wide apertures become mostly irrelevant. The Nikon lense is Sharp as a tack. Slides on Sensia II -100 show the undeniable Nikon 'Bite' of ED glass which is also present in my 80-200 f/2.8 ED lens. Nikon have a real winner here at a very fair price... Customer Service Hopefully wont be needed Similar Products Used: Sigma 17-35 EX f/2.8-4 |
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[Nov 18, 2000]
Frank Carlson
Intermediate
Strength:
Prime Lens Quality for convenient Zoom Range.
Weakness:
None, Expensive hobby! Try it, you will like it. Customer Service Good service after 12 minute wait. Similar Products Used: Nikkor 35-70, F2.8D |
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[Dec 03, 2000]
Yunus Chamda
Casual
Strength:
Optical Quality, ED Glass, Good handling and smooth manual focus,(Hood included is a bonus)
Weakness:
Not to sure about durability as it feels a little lightweight. For those who cannot reach to the 17-35 AF-S this is a dream lens. All the results are tack sharp with excellent contrast. This lens is a true bargain at the price and holds its own against the Nikon prime lenses in the focal range. A Winner!! Customer Service Retailer (Excellent) Distributor (V Poor) Similar Products Used: Tokina AF 19-35, Nikon AF 20mm (2.8D), Nikon AF 28mm (2.8D), Nikon AF 24 (2.8D) |
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[Dec 10, 2000]
Dave Steinberg
Intermediate
Strength:
light weight, fast autofocus, sharp and contrasty pictures, vibrant colors
Weakness:
none A beautiful light weight lens with excellent optics. Colors on landscapes are bright and crisp, even on projection slides. Customer Service not needed Similar Products Used: Nikon 24-120 |
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[Dec 10, 2000]
Tushaar Kumar
Professional
Strength:
Light, inexpensive, range
Weakness:
Not as fast as f2.8, build quality This is a sharp lens, very sharp. With a 81A warming filter, this lens can play magic. Polarizing filter is not effective at 18-24 range but works well at 24-35 range. Very light 360g, so convenient for travelling. Plastic build, may not be suitable for use in extremely demanding situations. For landscape, you don't need a very fast lens. For 99% of the work, this lens is fine. And for the price, its a must buy. 77mm filters are expensive. But this size is in common with many other nikkors, so not a big issue. One caveat! A 24mm price is good enough for most of the wide angle situations. If you really need to go below 24mm, only then its worth paying the extra bucks. Well, Nikkor 24mm is one of the sharpest and most popular lens. Hope this review helps atleast someone out there. Customer Service Not needed Similar Products Used: 17-35 Nikkor, 17-35 Sigma, 20-35 nikkor |
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[Dec 09, 2000]
Andy Biggs
Intermediate
Strength:
Price
Weakness:
As Durable as the 17-35? Absolutely the best for the price. I take outdoor landscapes, so I don't need the extra speed of the f2.8 17-35. Especially for $1000 more! Similar Products Used: None |
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[Dec 15, 2000]
Martin Doll
Beginner
Strength:
Excellent correction of barrel distortion. Great colors. Well built. Smooth man focus.
Weakness:
Could be F2.8 I'm a beginner, but as a scientist I'm pretty precise when examining somthing. Customer Service not needed yet. Similar Products Used: SIGMA 17/35mm F2.8-4.0 EX Aspherical |
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[Dec 30, 2000]
Roger Rowlett
Expert
Strength:
Lightweight
Weakness:
Not an f/2.8 After finally getting a sunny day in the frozen north country, I finally shot a test roll with this lens and two other Nikon lenses. This lens is just as sharp and contrasty as the Nikkor 28-105 mm zoom lens at the overlapping focal lengths, 28-25 mm. There is absolutely no difference between the two in this range. Distortion is very well controlled, with decent verticals, right down to 24 mm, and the inevitable barrel distortion at the edges creeps in at 18-20 mm. This is not a defect, but a natural consequence of short focal lengths. Absolutely no vignetting was observed at any focal length, even when wide open and with a thin UV filter installed. While this lens shows best at f/8, it was quite serviceable wide open (but noticeably less sharp). Customer Service Not used Similar Products Used: None |
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[Jan 24, 2001]
José F. Negrete
Intermediate
Strength:
Contrast, sharp, MF soo good.
Weakness:
None I sold the Voigtlander and I purchased the amazing Nikon, I think it´s marvellous. Try it. Customer Service Never used. Similar Products Used: Voigtlander 17-35 (like Vivitar, Cosina,...) soo bad. |
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[Jan 24, 2001]
A Nikon User
Professional
Strength:
Sharp, good contrast and good colour rendition!
Weakness:
Quite a bit more distortion in the wide side! This is a great lens with some distortion although it is not a perfect lens. But if one can use the word "no contrast", he must go back to school and learn what is called "contrast", This guy is really ridiculous, please behave yourself before you do anything that is harmful. Customer Service None! Similar Products Used: Numerous! |