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For the opportunity review of the lens Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 Many thanks to Igor Tihan.

Review Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 is an old mid-range zoom lens. My version of the lens was produced for a long time, from 1986 to 1991. Nevertheless, the lens still works fine. There are three autofocus modifications for this lens:

1. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) is the very first. Has a classic design, plastic narrow focusing ring. Optical design 16 elements in 12 groups. This version is presented in this overview.
2. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKII) - the second version, made in the style of 'push-pull', has a rubberized wider focusing ring. Produced from 1991 to 1994. Optical design 16 elements in 12 groups. Review can be viewed here.
3. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5D (MKIII) - the third version, 'push-pull', but with internal focusing IF. The lens already knows how transmit focus distance into the camera. Optical design of 13 elements in 10 groups, including aspherical elements. Overview can be viewed here.

All Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm lenses were only available in Japan.

View of Nikon 35-105 at maximum focal length and minimum focusing distance

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (MKI) is interesting for its ability to shoot macro with a magnification of 1: 3.5, not bad aperture, fast focus and good build.

The lens has fast auto focus... It is a pity, but when focusing, the front lens rotates and moves forward, and the MDF in normal mode is as much as 1.4 meters! Small front filter diameter - only 52mm. Manual focus ring is not very convenient, narrow, plastic (not rubberized). In manual focus mode, the focus ring rotates 90 degrees. The lens has focus distance scale, two designations (35 and 105mm) for operation in the infrared spectrum, but no depth of field scale.

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:

• D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs
• D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6
• Df
• D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90
• D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500
• D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500
• D600, D610, D750, D780
• D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850
• Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro
• Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n

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

• D40, D40x, D60
• D3000, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500
• D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600
• all digital mirrorless cameras Nikon ZDX, Nikon ZFX with Nikon FTZ/FTZ II adapter

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.

Also, to switch to manual focus mode, you need to use the focus switching lever on the camera itself. This is not always convenient. The focus mode switch cannot be found on the lens itself. The lack of a switch introduces inconvenience when working in macro mode.

Important: the lens has an aperture control ring. For the lens to work properly on modern cameras, you need to set the F / 22 value using the aperture control ring on the lens itself, while the aperture control ring must be locked with a special lock. The lock has an orange color, it is easy to find on the lens near the aperture control ring. More details in the section on Non-G Lenses... The minimum aperture at 35mm is f / 22, at 105mm - f / 29. The number of diaphragm blades is 7 pieces.

Important: the lens does not know how to transmit information about the focusing distance to the subject, this may be the reason for poor metering exposure when working with flash. More details in the section on D, Non-D, G Lenses.

Enlightenment of the front and rear Nikon 35-105 lens 3.5-4.5. Used NIC lens enlightenment.

Feature of work in macro mode: to switch to macro mode, you need to set the focal length to 105mm, press the special button on the zoom ring (the button is denoted by the letter 'M') and turn the focusing ring all the way. In this position, you can shoot macro with a magnification of 1: 3.5. Auto focus in macro mode does not work.

The lens itself is well assembled, but the focus ring near the front lens dangles a little, which does not create the effect of a solid lens. The back of the lens is metallic. Unlike many other lenses, the Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 has a slightly larger aperture at the long end. Usually universal lenses have F / 5.6 at maximum focal length, F / 4.5 is half a foot lighter.

Two mid-range lenses

Personal experience:

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 is a good old-school nimble lens. I like it much more Nikon 28-105mm f / 3.5-4.5D AF Nikkor due to stronger macro, auto focus in macro mode, wider angle, focus distance data transmission and rubberized focus ring. I do not recommend Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 to owners of Nikon DX cameras, as on DX cameras EGF lens will be 52,5-157,5mm, while the versatility of the lens will be lost. But on FX cameras, this old man can still serve faithfully as super-budgetary staffer. True, the lens can only be bought in used. condition, as it has not been released for more than 10 years.

Sample Photos

All photos without processing. Everything is filmed on Nikon D700. Lens cutting, moderately contrasting, backlighting is not a problem. The picture is no different. The bokeh at 105mm F4.5 is not the best.

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.

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Conclusions

Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 - good old and very cheap full-time zoom. Interesting for its price, good image quality and slightly larger aperture, compared to other 'dark' zooms.

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