Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical Review

According provided by lens Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical many thanks to photographer Dima Glota, his website can be viewed at http://dmitriyglota.com/.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical (abbreviated as Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D) - replacement for an older and equally successful lens Nikon AF NIKKOR 20-35mm 1: 2.8D.

Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is a fast wide-angle zoom lens from Nikon. 17mm focal length provides 104 ° field of view diagonal framewhich is very widespread in real life. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D refers to professional lineup Nikon Nikkor lenses, and therefore you can expect excellent build and image quality from it. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is Nikon listed NPS (Nikon Professional Services).

Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D has gold ring on the case, near the front lens, which is a sign of a top-class Nikon Nikkor lens. In this case, the lens fully deserves the right to wear this golden border.

The range of 17-20 mm can be safely attributed to an ultra-wide range of focal lengths. Unfortunately, there are very, very few autofocus super wide widths for full-format cameras. You can count them on the fingers:

Nikkor F for SLR cameras:

  1. Nikon 14 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  2. Nikon 16 mm 1: 2.8D Fisheye AF
  3. Nikon 18 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  4. Nikon 20 mm 1:2.8 AF
  5. Nikon 20 mm 1: 2.8D AF
  6. Nikon 20 mm 1: 1.8G N AF S
  7. Nikon 8-15 mm 1: 3.5-4.5E Fisheye AF S
  8. Nikon 14-24 mm 1: 2.8G N AF S
  9. Nikon 16-35 mm 1: 4G VR N AF S
  10. Nikon 17-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF S
  11. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5D AF
  12. Nikon 18-35 mm 1: 3.5-4.5G AF S
  13. Nikon 20-35 mm 1: 2.8D AF

Nikkor Z for mirrorless cameras:

  1. Nikon 20 mm 1:1.8 S
  2. Nikon 14-24 1:2.8 S
  3. Nikon 14-30 mm 1:4 S
  4. Nikon 17-28 mm 1:2.8

The choice among Nikon Nikkor wide-angle lenses is very complex and specific. Typically, the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is positioned as a reporting shirk and is considered to be something between the professional Nikon 14-24 / 2.8G and Nikon 16-35 / 4G. For many photographers, there is often a difficult choice between two lenses: the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D and the Nikon 16-35 / 4G. Unfortunately, this choice is really difficult and I will not risk anything to advise on this issue now.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Main technical characteristics of Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical:

Review Instance Name Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical 434778
Basic properties
Front Filter Diameter 77 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length 17-35 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 25.5-52.5 mm
Zoom ratio 2.06 X (usually just talking about XNUMXx zoom)
Designed by for film cameras
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals
Tags focusing distance in meters and feet, focal length values ​​for 17, 20, 24, 28, 35 mm, aperture setting mark (it is also a bayonet mount mark), hood attachment mark, aperture values, 'L' mark for ring fixing aperture control
Diaphragm from F / 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths to F / 22. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type)
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.28 m over the entire range of focal lengths, maximum magnification ratio 1: 4.6
The weight 745 g
Optical design 13 elements in 10 groups. The scheme includes:

  • 3 aspherical elements (aspherical elements are shown in blue on the optical diagram). Two of which are made of cast glass, and the remaining one aspherical element is a hybrid, made by building plastics on a glass base. The presence of an aspheric is indicated on the case with the inscription 'Aspherical'.
  • 2 low dispersion elements (shown in yellow on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements is indicated on the body by the abbreviation 'ED'.

nikon-17-35-optical-scheme

The image of the optical circuit is clickable.

Lens hood Nikon HB-23
Manufacturer country Made in japan
Period From July 1999 to the present day (at least until the summer of 2017)
Price

It turns out that the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D was introduced back in July 1999 and was intended primarily for film cameras. Of the classic Nikon digital cameras at the time, only the Nikon D1 existed, introduced just a month before this lens. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D has not been updated for a very long time and I would very much like to see a new worthy replacement for it. For example, a similar lens from the Canon camp - Canon Zoom Lens EF 17-35mm 1: 2.8 L USM was introduced in the spring of 1996 and later had two replacements / additions - Canon Zoom Lens EF 16-35mm 1: 2.8 L USM (December 2001) and Canon Zoom Lens EF 16-35mm 1: 2.8 L II USM (April 2007).

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Assembly

Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is made in Japan only. It feels very nice and weighty, its weight is over 700 grams. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D uses large 77mm professional diameter filters. The lens barrel is almost entirely made of metal, with metal thread for light filters and a metal bayonet mount. The workmanship is at a very high level. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D feels the same 'tank' as Nikon AF Nikkor 20-35mm 1: 2.8D.

Unfortunately, there is no accurate data on the dust and moisture protection of the lens. There is no rubber gasket on the lens side, which usually indicates lens protection. Therefore, most likely, the lens is not protected from dust or moisture.

It is very nice that the focus ring and zoom ring are rubberized. Unfortunately, Nikon lenses and cameras have one serious sore - swelling and peeling of the rubber bands. The same disease was struck and the lens that came to my review - the gum on the zoom ring is very swollen and peeled off. Nikon should blush and ask all users for forgiveness for such a puncture with a professional lens. The gum of the zoom swells only with time, and the gum of the focus ring continues to serve without such deformations.

On the case there is a bayonet mount mark (it is a mark for adjusting the aperture control ring) and a mark for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses an HB-23 plastic lens hood exactly the same as Nikon DX 12-24 / 4G, Nikon DX 10-24 / 3.5-4.5G, Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D and Nikon 16-35 / 4G. The lens hood is fixed in special grooves located near the front lens of the lens. The hood can be installed in the opposite direction for transportation. In this position, access to the zoom and focus ring is practically not lost.

When changing the focal length, the rear lens moves in the middle of the lens body like a pump - it draws in and pushes out air. This behavior of the rear lens is called 'vacuum cleaner effect', which can increase the amount of dust that accumulates in the camera. Unfortunately, the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D still suffers from dust clogging the lenses. I remember how Dima, the owner of the lens, bought this Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D in almost perfect condition and after half a year of active use, he began to complain about dust on the internal lenses of the lens.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Diaphragm

Diaphragm lens consists of 9 rounded petalswhich form a fairly even hole. Diaphragm closes to F / 22 over the entire range of focal lengths.

Maximum diaphragm F / 2.8 is available over the entire range of focal lengths. F / 2.8 is exactly 1 stop (2 times) more than F / 4, which is used with a similar Nikon 16-35 / 4G lens.

On covered apertures, the lens gives an effect of 18 ray star.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Focusing

In ideal conditions the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D focuses quietly thanks to 'SWM'-motor (Silent Wbird Motor - quiet wave motor) and refers to the lens'AF S'type (with built-in motor focusing), and therefore it will automatically focus on any Nikon digital SLR camera.

Auto Focus Speed ​​- high. While working on cameras Nikon D610, Nikon D700 и Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro I had no complaints about the accuracy, tenacity and speed of auto focus.

During focusing, the front and rear lenses remain stationary, as the lens uses internal focusthat is indicated on the case by the letters'IF'-'Iinternal Focus' - 'Inner Focus'.

When changing the focal length the front lens of the lens wave-wise moves back and forth and rotates around its axis. Due to the successful design, all movements occur inside the lens barrel and we can assume that it uses internal zoom (does not change its size when changing the focal length). It turns out that if you install a light filter on the lens, then visually the lens will not change its size either during focusing or during the change in focal length, therefore, any filters can be used without problems, for example polarizing.

The minimum focusing distance is 28 cm over the entire range of focal lengths and, by 35 mm, allows you to shoot with a maximum magnification ratio of 1: 4.6, which is quite good for this kind of lens.

Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D has a window with distance scale in meters and feet. There is no depth of field scale, as well as marks for working in the infrared spectrum. In manual focusing mode, the ring rotates 100 degrees, when reaching the extreme positions it does not rest against it, but continues to slide without affecting focusing. The focus ring remains fixed during autofocus. Due to the fact that the lens is quite 'chubby', manual aiming is simple and pleasant.

On the lens housing you can find focus switch 'M / A - M'. In the 'M / A' position, auto focus works with constant manual focus priority. The 'M / A' mode is very convenient and useful - for manual focusing or focus correction, you do not need to additionally switch the lens to the 'M' mode. As soon as you start focusing manually using the 'M / A' mode, the auto focus is immediately turned off, and the lens continues to listen to your hands until you press the focus activation button again.

Some rumors and problems. They say that Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D, like Nikon 28-70 / 2.8D и Nikon 80-200 / 2.8D MKIV use the same focus motor for focusing. Perhaps some more Nikon AF-I lenses use the same motor. These lenses are of approximately the same release time and are the first professional lenses with a built-in SWM motor. Many people know that the main problem with miraculous Nikon 80-200 / 2.8D MKIV just the problems with the focus motor. In the case of Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D, as with Nikon 28-70 / 2.8D the same negative symptoms are noticeable - over time, the focusing motor begins to 'whistle' and becomes unusable. Unfortunately, the first signs of this disease are observed in the lens from this review. Talking to one of the familiar craftsmen, I found out that the problem is due to the fact that these motors are very sensitive to pollution and from the slightest presence of dust or dirt they begin to 'whistle' or simply stop working. This ailment is usually very easy to fix. Note that with a careful attitude, it is unlikely that anyone will encounter this problem in real life.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Compatibility and Features

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 the value F / 22 and fix it with a special lever with the red letter 'L', 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 ​​of F / 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 are marked on it, it is impossible to set an intermediate value between pairs of numbers using the aperture ring. Intermediate values ​​can only be set using the camera menu. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is one of the few lenses that has a red letter 'L' ('Lock' - 'lock'). I also saw such a letter only at Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm 1: 2.8-4 D IF Aspherical Macro (1: 2).

EGF lens for Nikon DX cameras is 25.5-52.5. I don’t see much point in buying Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D for Nikon DX cropped cameras. Who is looking for a fast zoom for Nikon cameras, I advise you to look away Tokina AT-X 116 PRO SD 11-16mm F2.8 (IF) DX II (second version with focus motor) or Tokina AT-X 116 PRO SD 11-16mm F2.8 (IF) DX (first version without focus motor) or Tokina AT-X PRO SD 11-20mm F2.8 (IF) DX. Unfortunately, there is no complete analogue of the Nikon 17-35/2.8D for Nikon DX cameras. The only native professional wide for Nikon DX cameras is Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical.

A list of all Nikon DX series lenses can be found. here. The optical design of all Nikon DX lenses can be viewed here.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Image quality

In the center of the frame, the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is sharp at any aperture value, even at F / 2.8. Professionals can easily notice that the lens has rather weak angles and edges of the frame when used on open apertures. But it’s worth covering the aperture, as the sharpness at the edges aligns, and the sharpness in the center of the frame becomes prohibitive. To my surprise, the lens copes quite well with chromatic aberration. Of course it is a pity that there is no escape from strong distortion by 17 mm. Also, at 17 mm focal length and an open aperture, the lens gives tangible vignetting. When using filters of normal thickness, vignetting does not deteriorate.

Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D tolerates side and backlight well, gives a contrast image with a minimum of parasitic flare. And in general, the image quality is up to standard, but still, I would like a little better indicators from the owner of the gold ring.

Pictures for review shared by the owner of the lens. More photos and spherical panoramas shot on this lens can be found at Dima https://www.izakayasushilounge.com.

You can download RAW source files at this link (10 files in the '.NEF' format, 280 MB). All photos were shot on Nikon D610. Then I will try to add more pictures.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

My experience

I sometimes borrow his Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D from Dima for indoor shooting, for me this lens acts as an excellent reporter for working in 'close combat'. I'm considering Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D as an alternative (all of a sudden!) For Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8G ED NanoCrystalCoat SWM IF Aspherical. Frames with Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D are much more interesting than with Nikon 24-70 / 2.8G, while Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D allows you to use a much wider field of view and at the same time you can use it to take pictures in standard range using 35 mm.

In general, it’s much more interesting and useful for me to have a Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D and a Nikon 70 (80) -200 / 2.8 in a kit than a set of Nikon 24-70 / 2.8G and a Nikon 70 (80) -200 /2.8. The range of focal lengths of 24-70 mm can be arbitrarily called standard, which does not give any original picture, which is possible with a shorter (less than 24 mm) and longer (more than 70 mm) focal length. Ultimately, from Nikon 24-70 / 2.8G, the viewer does not have the so-called WOW! Effect.

I am delighted with the Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D and I am saddened only by the fact that it will not be updated to '16 -35 / 2.8 ', where 16mm is much more interesting than 17mm, while the eternal problem of choosing between Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D and Nikon 16-35 / 4G.

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Prices

Actual lens prices are available see here, or in the price block below:

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Enlightenment of the front lens Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

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

Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical and Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical and Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

Results

The Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D is a one-of-a-kind native high-aperture ultra-wide zoom for Nikon FX full-frame cameras that can use classic light filters. The lens has a very high build quality, internal fast focusing, a very sharp picture in the center of the frame, conventionally an internal zoom, and it is pleasant to work with. Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D I really do not regret to call it a real professional lens. Unfortunately Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D, like Nikon 20-35 / 2.8D, is a fairly old development, and many are looking forward to updating this highly reliable lens.

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

Add a comment: Arkady Shapoval

 

 

Comments: 155 on the topic: Review of Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

  • Dmitry K

    It's a pity for all the photos with a closed aperture - so it does not differ from 16-35 and 14-24 on the same focal lengths. At 2.8 would. To see what you need to pay extra for in comparison with 16-35 and how much worse than 14-24. I will wait for the promised throwing of photos

  • Denis

    Thank you Arkady for the review! Will there be a review from Samuyang, they have very interesting animals)))

  • Stas

    Friends, tell me please, how do you get such a rounding of side backgrounds ?? thanks

    • anonym

      due to the lens))) and it’s called fisheye

  • Star boring. Igor

    Arkady, please drop your photos from the review, at least some interesting intermittent aperture to see how it looks,
    with respect.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      There are tons of examples on the net, for example here.

  • Star boring. Igor

    Arkady, give your photos! :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      I will give time. Tired already.

  • Star boring. Igor

    I know, annoying, I looked on the network, I'm more interested in what you did :) We will wait :)

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Try not to get bored anymore, okay?

      • Star boring. Igor

        good luck.

      • Owned

        DO NOT BE ABLE TO THE SUBSCRIBER! DID A PHOTO - DO IT!

  • Serg57

    Arkady!
    Took a sample of Sigma AF 17-35mm F2.8-4 EX DG ASPHERICAL HSM.
    Have you worked with this?

    • Serg57

      I apologize for the photo. It is not with this lens :)))

  • fx

    By accident (yes!), Such glass turned up in excellent condition, moreover, from Japan, before the collapse of the ruble.
    I bought it, tried it on the D90, and realized that it wasn’t mine.
    1) The lens is rather heavy and large. It “breaks” hands and a light cropped carcass “bites” with it.
    2) The focal range is not mine.
    3) For some reason I did not like the picture. Then it seemed to me too soft compared to screwdriver fixes.
    4) Glass greatly attracts attention and in the evening / night walk a little dumb with it.
    Glass is great, but not for everyone.
    Under ff 24-70 / 24-75 / 28-80 / 24-120 / 24-85 itp is much more universal, IMHO.

    • cad @

      And whoever said that this lens is universal, of course it is not, it is "shirik", of course, that on a full frame it cannot be universal with such a focal range. It is universal for landscape, architecture, genre photography such as “street”. The standard zoom ranges from 24mm (moderate wide angle) to 70mm, 105mm, 135mm. (maximum focal telephoto).

  • fx

    I sold it in the end and do not regret it. As well as the D90 sold and also do not regret it.

    • Nikita

      And what did you buy?

  • Sergei

    Thanks for the review. After reading, I decided to become a happy owner. He has become. Lens class.
    https://ibb.co/d2pPf52
    A snapshot in the red zone on the light pollution map. Nikon D610 & Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical

  • Ruslan

    Good day. Tell me please, have I heard that there are different versions of the nokin 17-35? Is this so and how to distinguish them? It seems like a sore with a motor has been fixed in the latest versions.

    • Alexey

      SN 200388 - 306273 with sore
      Sn 400485 - 440961 without sore

  • Question

    Talking to one of the familiar craftsmen, I found out that the problem is due to the fact that these motors are very sensitive to pollution and from the slightest presence of dust or dirt they begin to 'whistle' or simply stop working. Such an ailment is usually very easy to fix ... And how easy is it to fix? I really want to know

    • Pokemon

      The motors in 17-35 / 2.8, 28-70 / 2.8 and 80-200 / 2.8 mk4 seem to be the same.
      It is treated by blowing with compressed air, if it does not help, replace the motor.

      • Question

        Thank you, I sold mine today due to periodic glitches with AF. It's a shame. Almost never used and it was in excellent condition. Probably here we can say that the technician loves work ... During the diagnostics, he revealed several patterns of this miracle of the lens ...

  • Stas

    Arkady, good evening. Choice of Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D or Nikon AFNikkor 20-35mm 1: 2.8D again for the same price. Or Sigma 17-35mm 1: 2.8-4 EX Aspherical Nikon F- half the price. Not weddings, not a landscape, only group photos of two to thirty people. Camera-d700.

  • Alexey

    Arkady, hello, you mentioned in the text about the whistling and failing motor, that "Such an ailment is usually very easy to fix."
    How is it repaired? Do you have any experience? How much money does this operation cost?
    I just wanted to buy 28-70, there the person also had a problem with the motor. As a result, he gave it to the service and the motor was repaired, but the diaphragm stopped closing.
    What easy fix are you writing about?

  • Still

    But I've heard that he is parfocal. Well no?

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Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

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