Superb obtics, 77mm filter, fast f2.8, distortion very-well controlled, zip-fast AF, smooth paint finish

none, maybe pricy but quality always is.

i sold a bunch of equipment to get this babe and now i think i'm in love... ;-)

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 20mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8, AFD 80-200 f2.8, etc.

Build quality. This thing has etched numerals - not silk screened - like the old MF lenses. Very accurate color - what you se is what you get.

PRICE. PRICE. PRICE. That's it. Ouch this one hurt but it was worth it!!!

This lens is so crazy expensive. I can't believe how much I paid for it. But if I had to do it again I would again and again. That's why I'm still giving it 5 stars for value because there is nothing like this lens in terms of build quality and sharpness, in any camera system for any price. This lens is amazing. Color rendition is very accurate unlike the Tokina (yellow/warm) which i tried and also more accurate than the older Nikon 20-35 2.8 (The Nikon 20-35 is a killer of a lens too). Very sharp wide open across whole zoom range. Stopped down it is breathtaking for scenics. Great bokeh (out of focus areas) because of the 9 rounded aperture blades. Heavy but balances very well on my F100. Before I bought this lens and when the Canon Eos 1v came out I was somewhat curious and went to the store to look at it but when i felt the build of the Canon 17-35 2.8 I thought it was a joke compared to this lens. I almost switched camps but this lens assurred me that Nikon is still tops IMHO. This is wide angle zoom Nirvana...

Customer Service

Never had to use in 10 years...

Similar Products Used:

20-35 2.8 Nikon
20-35 2.8 Tokina

sharpness, AFS, Fulltime A/M operation, IF and Internal Zoom, fast f2.8, satin finish, beautiful color rendition, distortion very well corrected, Flare control

$!

this is an amazing lens... it's probably the sexiest lens ever made among all lenses. it's not lightweight but banlancing very well on both f100 and n80 that i own. Sharpness rivals primes in the same range. slight distortion is visible but very unnoticeable unless you have a long straigh lines near the edge of the picture frame. Flare is very well controlled but you still need to be careful about the light sources in your picture... need some practice to prevent it from happening. Simply the best among all similar products from all manufacturers - nothing else come even closer... A Nikon is a Nikon - if you hold this babe and Canon's 17-35 2.8 in each of your hand you'll know what i'm talking about.

Customer Service

not yet needed

Similar Products Used:

20mm f2.8D Nikkor
18-35mm f3.5-4.5 Nikkor
20-35mm f2.8 Tokina

Solid construction, awesome color rendition, awesome contrast.

Heavy.

I use this as a wedding lens and my favourite shots are those of the church's interior while the couple is before the altar. I also do a lot of in-your-face street photography. Get this lens (even if you have to sell your car) and you'll be happy!

Customer Service

None needed

Similar Products Used:

20/2.8 35/2

Best lens I ever bought. Extremely useful range, almost no warping when level. Very good in weather.

Expensive

I can't live without this lens. I frequently take it out in the rain to do long exposures, and one time the plastic bag I had over it blew off... I don't know how long it was under direct rain but it was drenched like I'd pulled it out of a lake. Brought it in, let the externals dry off and there was absolutely no fogging of the internal lenses... no water had leaked! Let the externals dry off,.. and good as new! It weathers VERY good. I also like to take it out in extreme cold, and it has never let me down. Thing is built to last! Out of all the lenses listed, I use this one 75% of the time.

Bottom line is,
It's got almost no distortions (Keystoning), extremely useful range, outstanding quality, fantastic weathering, and once I got it I've taken more pictures with it than all other lenses combined! If there is only one quality lens you own, this would HAVE TO BE IT! This lens is just about glued to my camera and if I were to lose it I'd be at the store first thing for another. Trust me, this lens is probably the best lens Nikon has ever made! They pulled every trick in the book to get you the best, least distortion wide-angle they could... the thing is built like a tank (well... a submarine in my case :) and right off you'll wonder how you did without it! If I could give this lens more than five stars, I would!


The picture quality is fantastic!

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Canon 20mm Prime

Nikon 50mm 1.4
Sigma 50-500 4-5.6 HSM
Nikon 80-200 2.8
Nikon 70-400 ED

Quick Focusing on F-100
Sharp and Contrasty
Rock Solid Build

As with most AF-S lenses, it's relatively heavy and expensive.

Will Flare on occasion

Great lens if you can afford one. It's hard to underestimate the value of having a zoom with superb optics when you're in the field. Some may prefer to have mutliple primes on hand because of perceived differences in picture quality vs. zooms...but I find it very difficult to believe any of the primes from Nikon produce noticably more vivid results than this lens. And I'm 100% certain none of the 3rd party lenses out there can even come close to this kind of quality.

Customer Service

Not yet needed for lens, but Nikon support has been quite responsive the few times I've used them.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 28-70 AF-S
Nikkor 80-200 ED-IF

Fantastic zoom range; excellent optics; well made; very close focusing.

None apparent after two months although I have to admit the cost is a drawback.

I thought seriously about buying this lens before I went on a trip to Nepal in October but felt I could not afford it ($2000US with tax in Canada). However I saw it in Kathmandu for $1400US and couldn't resist. I have no regrets and was extremely pleased with the results. I wonder how I ever got along without a real wide angle lens. I found that often I went right to 17mm especially for interior shots.
Since returning home I have done some testing of the lens using a tripod, comparing it to my 24, 28 and 35-70 lenses. I can see little difference between it and my 35-70 (at 35), a lens I regard very highly. In some circumstances, one seemed slightly sharper and then in other circumstances the other. I could see little difference between the 17-35 and the 28 except wide open where the 28 was slighter sharper. I was surprised at what I found with the 24. The 17-35 was definitely sharper at f2.8 and by f8 the 24 was sharper but not by much.
I have never used the 20-35 so can't compare it to that. However the 20-35 is not much cheaper here and there is something quite satisfying and seductive about the silence and speed of the AF-S. I could certainly get along without AF-S but it adds to my enjoyment of the lens. I thought I would sell the lens when I returned to Canada but I have grown too fond of it and could not imagine parting with it. Yes, it's hell of a lot of money but it is opening up a whole new way of seeing and photographing for me.

Customer Service

Haven't had to use it in 10 years except to have my F3 serviced; the office in Toronto was very slow in returning it.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 35- 70 f 2.8
24-120
28 D
24

Great glass, close focusing (0,28m!), AF (though silent wave - motor is more useful on let's say, a 80-200mm.

Can't really think of any spesific one...

You get a 17mm, 20mm, 24mm, 28mm and a 35mm with all of those lenses characteristics, in one package: rally, really great optics and the same close focusing distance. It's.....GREAT!

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 20-35mm 2.8
Tokina 20-35mm 2.8
Canon 17-35mm 2.8L

Sharpness,
Fulltime A/M operation,
Excellent color rendition
Great flare control

money money money

This is THE lens I own.Tried many similer lenses before.
It's absolutely the best ultra wide angle zoom lens in the world.
Yes, Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 D is a great buy. Comparing these two lens for enlargement 10"X12". I found 17-35mm AF-S got far better color rendition and flare control. That's where the money worthy. I can't go out shooting without this sexy lens.

Customer Service

Never had a chance for my nikon lens repaired.

Similar Products Used:

sigma 17-35mm f/2.8-4
Canon 17-35 f/2.8 L USM
Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 D

Fast speed, awesome range, incredibly beautiful optic.

I have B+W Thin filters attached and the lens cap is tough to deal with. The lens has NO weaknesses.

After you get over the sticker shock of this lens ($1,500 plus) the fun begins.
I shoot Provia 100F for the most part and this lens has produced some of the finest photos that I have ever taken. The photos are CRISP, not just sharp, they clearly standout. If you have never had a optic of this magnitude (as I had not) you will be amazed. The slides jump out and grab you. The colors are brilliant. The autofocus is instant, though not as quiet as the AF-S 80-200 Nikkor. Flare control is exceptional, I really was inpressed. When you shoot scenes that have very low contrast (bright snow) at 17-20mm you might want to switch over to manual focus, it will be faster and less frustrating. This is a pro caliber lens without question, there is no doubt.
If you shoot lots of outdoor scenes, or indoor candids, tight (funky angle) sports shots. You really need this lens. Save your money. This is the one "PRO" lens that all Nikon owners should have (my opinion). This lens is awesome, period!

Customer Service

None required.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 18-35 (I own one)
Tamron & Sigma