Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)

According provided by lens Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI) huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar lenses.

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

This lens was produced in two versions:

  • Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI), manufactured from 1986 to 1989. All lenses were made in Japan. In this review, just such is presented.
  • Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII), produced from 1989 to 1994. The first batches were made in Japan, then production moved to Thailand. Lenses with serial numbers beginning with '4' were manufactured in Japan. The lenses with serial numbers beginning with '5' were manufactured in Thailand.
Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)

Main technical specifications of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI):

Review Instance Name Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 3196060
Basic properties
  • FX (for Nikon FX) - lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • AF (Auto Focus) - automatic focusing due to the camera motor
  • Non-g (Non-gelded) - the presence of the aperture control ring
  • NIC (Nikon Integrated lens Coating) - special integrated enlightenment of optics
  • M (Macro) - pseudo-macro mode
  • Important: it Non-d a lens that does not transmit the focus distance to the camera
Front Filter Diameter 52 mm
Focal length 35-70 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 52.5-105 mm
Zoom ratio 2 x
Designed by for Nikon film cameras
Number of aperture blades 7 non-rounded petals
Tags focusing distance in meters and feet, focal length values ​​for 35, 50, 70 mm, labels for aperture values. The green mark next to the aperture control ring indicates the maximum open aperture for a 35mm focal length. Yellow for 70mm focal length. There are marks for 35 mm and 70 mm for infrared operation.
Diaphragm 35 mm from F / 3.3 to F / 22. 70 mm from F / 4.5 to F / 32. At 50 mm focal length, the maximum aperture is F / 3.8. At values ​​from F / 3.3 (4.5) to F / 5.6 (inclusive), the diaphragm blades form a hole with serrations. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type).
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.5 m in normal mode + macro mode, the maximum magnification ratio in M ​​(macro) mode is 1: 4.3
The weight 260 g
Optical design 8 elements in 7 groups. Optical design identical to lenses Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3 ~ 4.5 AI-S и Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)
Lens hood Nikon HN-2
Manufacturer country MADE In Japan (Japan)
Period From September 1986 to October 1989, later replaced by a version Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)
Price The catalog of modern universal Nikon lenses can see here.

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 lens is very small, compact and lightweight. It's even shorter in size than a whale lens Nikon 18-55mm 1: 3.5-5.6GII VR II AF-S DX Nikkor.

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Basic important information on the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)

  1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 - a lens from film cameras, quite old. In fact, this is the autofocus version of the earlier Nikon 35-70mm f / 3.3-4.5 Zoom-Nikkor AI-S MF... Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 does not have the designation “D“, which means it does not transmit the focusing distance to the camera. This can make it difficult to shoot with flash. The lens is suitable for modern full-frame cameras. On Nikon DX cropped cameras EGF lens will fit 52.5-105mm.
  2. Autofocus is fastfaster than many modern SWM lenses. True, when focusing, the front lens rotates and extends. The manual focus ring is very narrow and uncomfortable. The focus ring rotates approximately 90 degrees.
  3. The lens has a manual aperture ring. To be able to control the value aperture from camera or for automatic installation aperture on modern central control valves, you need to turn the control ring to F / 22 and fix it with a special lever, which is located to the right of the marks aperture. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (ring is not installed aperture) Some cameras having diaphragm rheostatallow you to control the aperture using the ring aperturebut only in metering modes exposure 'M' and 'A'. You can read more about this issue in the section on Non-G Lenses. Ring aperture rotates with clicks, the values ​​F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 are plotted on it, it is impossible to establish an intermediate value between pairs of numbers.
  4. The lens mount is metallic. The lens itself is made in Japan. The build quality is good and does not cause any complaints (except for the focus ring). The zoom ring is rubberized.
  5. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 very compact... Even when zoomed, the lens hardly changes its size. When the focal length is changed, the retractable barrel of the lens barrel moves in a wave-like manner, from 35 to 50 mm it is pulled inward, and from 50 to 70 mm it moves out.
  6. The lens has a pretty nice maximum aperture F / 3.3-F / 4.5. For example, lenses of this level usually have aperture range from F / 3.5 to F / 5.6. In theory, f / 3.3 is 3.5 times lighter than f / 1.25, and f / 4.5 is 5.6 times lighter than f / 1.55.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Image quality

Surprisingly, the lens showed good image quality. True, the lens suffers strong HA at apertures up to F / 8.0, but good sharpness is already present at fully open apertures. The lens gives blooming (ghosting on very contrasting objects). But at the same time, the lens has very little distortion and nice pattern. 70 mm bokeh and F / 4.5 are very good, even unexpectedly good for a lens of this class. On the FX camera, the vignette is maintained at 35 mm up to F / 5.6. The contrast of the lens gives an average, the color of the image is slightly shifted to warm colors. The lens normally transfers side and backlight, but there are situations when you can catch a couple of glare.

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Sample Photos

All photos were taken on Nikon D200 and Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5. No processing: RAW -> JPEG in autolevel mode, Q80% downsized, data imprinted from EXIF.

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Some more close-up photos:

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI

And examples of photos on a Sony a7 full-size camera:

You can download RAW source files at this link (32 files in the '.ARW' format, 700 MB). All photos in the gallery above are on-camera JPEG from the camera Sony a7.

Sizes of Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI and Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8

Sizes of Nikon Nikkor AF 35-70 F / 3.3-4.5 MKI and Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8

Personal experience

The lens is indeed very compact. I shot them at an open-air festival and he proved to be a good street reporter. The lens is very fast in focusing and can be an interesting gag for full-frame cameras. Everything else Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI) has a very good price / quality ratio. It's a shame that on Nikon DX cameras the lens loses its ability to use a fairly wide angle of view. At one time, I wanted to take the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI) as a spare lens just in case of firefighting - it can be easily carried in a backpack.

Old Kenny recorded it (and its previous and subsequent versions) in list of worst Nikon Nikorr lenses of all timebut I strongly disagree with him.

Photo at Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm F 3.3-4.5

Photo at Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm F 3.3-4.5

List of all Nikon FX 35-XXX autofocus lenses:

  1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8 (MKI)
  2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
  3. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)
  4. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70 mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKII)
  5. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKI)
  6. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80 mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKII)
  7. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
  8. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)
  9. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 D (MKIII)
  10. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI)
  11. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135 mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII)

The catalog of modern universal lenses for Nikon can be look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Conclusions

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 is a good old compact zoom lens. Perfect for street photography.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Jury

 

 

Comments: 110, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 3.3-4.5 (MKI)

  • Paul

    I completely agree with the author of the article. The lens included with the Nikon D90 is very good! Probably the best whale lens, (I think so)!

  • Ruslan

    I use it with d80 pleased, occasionally smears autofocus.

  • fgx

    Here are more examples from this lens.
    https://www.flickr.com/photos/vandyll/sets/72157621500264566

  • Andrei

    Bought in Japan, set to f90-overexposure in all frames. Put to check on the D80-lying exposure half the scale. How is it treated? Or just remember? Just good photos are obtained.

  • Sergei

    Hello. there is a question on this lens. I’m renting it for about half a year. It’s standing on the d700. I exchanged it for a whale of 18-55 and is happy as an elephant. and then one day the next nonsense appeared. at focal length 35mm, the aperture priority is set to f35 instead of f3.8. if you slightly twist the focus ring to the side by about 3.3-36mm f37 turns on. further down the focal length ring seems to get stuck slightly and then f3.3 turns on approximately 47mm further. back towards 4.5mm the ring moves smoothly without sticking. The lens did not fall or hit. who faced? probably Lynx or Experienced or who else knows. Or are you Arkady.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Hello. It’s hard for me to tell you what exactly it is.

    • Denis

      Is the focal length recorded in EXIF? look what is there in this case

  • Derevyanny's studio

    OK. tomorrow, on occasion, I take myself such for 2500 for Nikon 1. there aperture wow, how important!

    • Valentine

      And what good can such a diaphragm and such focal ones on Nikon 1 give? I would understand if you would take some cheap aperture fifty dollars to get something like a 135mm portrait on your Nikon 1. There’s something I don’t catch the logic.

  • Kate

    Hello! Tell me, please, who knows. How to switch to macro mode (pseudo-macro :) in a bunch of 35-70mm (MKI) + Nikon D200?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No way, the focusing distance there has no limiter and the lens focuses on the MDF in normal mode.

  • Kate

    Thank you!

  • anonym

    I looked at the photo of this lens, very similar to the photo from the 55-70mm lens. . . and what is the difference. . . maybe I don’t understand something. . .

    • B. R. P.

      55-70?

  • Paul

    Good lens. Focuses quickly, color rendering is neutral. The zoom rotates tight, can it be lubricated somehow?

  • nashua

    Probably the diaphragm does not close completely. With old glasses, this happens, when the grease thickens.
    In general, you should not use it on such a diaphragm on a crop. Due to the diffraction effect, the sharpness begins to decrease after 8, but up to 16 you can put up with this if the depth of field is very relevant. But 22 will already be soap.

  • Vadym

    Old Kenny wrote another modification to the worst list. I have in my hands exactly Mark1 from this review and it differs from the one in the photo on Kenny's page :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      He has MK2, described here. But the essence of this does not change

  • Alex

    I use this lens with the D7000. A good lens for everyday use. Fast focusing, a minimum of misses. A picture for the reporting of norms. The picture is sharp. I can’t say anything bad about him yet.

  • Sergei

    I bought this lens. I will try. There are no documents for him, so during the examination two questions arose:
    1. Where is the serial number located on the lens?
    2. What is the button with the yellow mark next to the aperture ring for?
    Thanks in advance for your reply ...

    • Jury

      2. Quote from the article above: “The lens has a manual iris ring. In order to be able to control the aperture value from the camera or to automatically set the aperture on modern CZK, you need to turn the control ring to F / 22 and fix it with a special lever located to the right of the aperture labels. If this is not done, then on a number of cameras, the display will display an error - 'fEE' (aperture ring not set). ” In this version of the lens, this is not a lever, but a button.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      1. Somewhere on the case. Usually on the aperture control ring on the back of the number-marks, on the side that is closer to the mount.

      2. The lens has an iris control ring. In order for it to work normally on modern Nikon cameras, you need to set the F / 22 value using the aperture control ring on the lens itself, after which it will automatically lock itself with a special button to the right of the F / 3.3 mark. After such manipulation, it will be possible to control the aperture directly from the camera, for more details in the section about Non-G Lenses... To release the aperture ring fixation, press this button.

  • Linnea

    Arkady, thank you very much for your review of this interesting lens! And for other reviews too!

    I have had this lens for a long time, but I did not pay attention to it. I bought it by accident and very cheap. After looking at your review, I tried it on my Nikon D7000 camera and was surprised how good it was. It will be necessary to walk him somehow and test his capabilities better. So nice, lightweight, compact, but sturdy and in excellent condition!

    Oddly enough, old Kenny put it and other versions of it on the list of the worst Nikon Nikorr lenses of all time. I also disagree with him. There he also hints that Cosina is not very good. But by the way, my Cosina AF ZOOM 19-35mm 3.5-4.5 MC lens for Nikon cameras is amazing, and I am very pleased with it. I was also surprised that he turned out to be very good.

  • Linnea

    Oh, my version is MKII, not MKI. But, as noted by Arkady, this does not really change the essence. True, there are some differences between MKI and MKII.

  • Christian

    Excellent caillou, sur D7500 Nikon DX, attention si vous faites des photos au flash il faut sous exposer de un diaph votre flash, sinon gare aux photos cramées.

    • B. R. P.

      Pourquoi seulement sur cet appareil photo ? Peut-être devriez-vous apprendre les bons réglages sur n'importe quel appareil photo ?

  • Ian

    I use it with my Nikons film F4 and Dx D300. It focuses fast but can sometimes hunt a little in low light. It is a cheap kit lens Nikon supplied with cheaper consumer film cameras.

  • Jeans

    J'ai une petite question? j'ai récupérer un boitier argentique ou était monté cet objectif un AF Nikkor 35/70 3.3-4.5 MKI est-ce qu'il ce monte sur les boitier numérique? c'était la question merci d'avance pour votre reponse.

    • B, R, P.

      Oui. Plus d'informations à ce sujet sont écrites dans l'article.

    • B, R, P.

      Et les photos de l'article ont été prises avec un appareil photo numérique) Vous n'avez pas du tout lu ?

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