Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical Review

According provided by Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical lens huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including similar lenses.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Navigation

  1. Nikkor FX Extra Wide Angle AF Lenses
  2. Main Specifications
  3. Assembly
  4. Focusing
  5. Diaphragm
  6. Image quality
  7. My personal experience with the lens
  8. Results
Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikkor FX Ultra Wide Angle AF Lenses

Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical (from this review) is Nikon Nikkor's first budget ultra-wide-angle zoom lens with autofocus support. The Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF was introduced in 2000 and is now the archival model among Nikon Nikkor lenses. In fact, the Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF is the cheapest native ultra-wide zoom lens for Nikon FX full-frame cameras, and unfortunately the worst overall.

Nikkor has very few ultra-wide-angle lenses. Zoom lenses can be roughly divided into two lines - professional and amateur.

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

Among the super-wide for Nikon DX is also not fun, there are only three lenses:

A complete list of Nikon DX series lenses can be found here.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Main specifications Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical:

Review Instance Name Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical US 222237
Basic properties
  • FX (for Nikon FX) - lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • AF (Auto Focus) - support for autofocus via the camera motor
  • IF (Internal focusing) - internal focusing
  • ED (Extra low dispersion) - the use of special low dispersion elements in the optical scheme
  • AS (ASPHERICAL) - the use of special aspherical elements in the optical scheme
  • NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) - special integrated enlightenment of optics
  • D (Distance) - transmission of the focusing distance to the camera
  • Non-g (Non gelded) - the presence of a diaphragm control ring
  • RD (Rounded Diaphragm) - rounded aperture blades
Front Filter Diameter 77 mm
Focal length 18-35 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 27-52.5 mm
Zoom ratio 1.94 X (usually talking about XNUMXx zoom)
Designed by for film cameras Nikon FX
Number of aperture blades 7 rounded petals
Tags a window with a focusing distance in meters and feet, focal length marks (18, 24, 28, 35 mm) mark for working in the infrared spectrum for 18 mm focal length. The black screw on the bayonet side can be used as a mark for quick mounting of the lens on the camera.
Diaphragm from F / 3.5-F / 4.5 to F / 22-F / 32. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type)
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 0.33 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 6.7
The weight 370 g
Optical design 11 elements in 8 groups, including

  • 1 aspherical element (aspherical elements are shown in blue on the optical diagram). Most likely the aspherical element is hybrid, with the application of a plastic layer on a glass base. The presence of aspherics is indicated on the case with the inscription 'Aspherical'.
  • 1 low dispersion element (shown in yellow on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements is indicated on the body by the abbreviation 'ED'.

Optical design Nikon 18-35D

Clickable Image

Lens hood HB-23, bayonet type, same as lens Nikon 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5G и Nikon 12-24 / 4G и Nikon 16-35 / 4G и Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D
Period from August 2000 to 2011, later replaced by Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5G SWM IF Aspherical
Manufacturer country Made in Japan
Instructions View ->
Price

Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF and Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Apherical almost the same age, comparing these lenses, one can clearly understand how much the professional and amateur line of Nikon lenses were divided.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Assembly

Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF was made in Japan. There are no complaints about the assembly, but still the lens loses much to the professional width of Nikon Nikkor to the touch.

When working with Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF, I immediately felt its light weight (a little less than 400 grams), so it is the lightest super wide of the entire Nikon Nikkor line. However, the Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF uses large professional filters with a diameter of 77 mm.

There is a bayonet mount mark and a mark on the case for quick installation of the hood. The lens uses a plastic hood HB-23, which 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 ring is practically not lost. Exactly the same lens hood Nikon 17-35 / 2.8DNikon 12-24mm f / 4G DXNikon 16-35 / 4G и Nikon 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5G DX.

The focus ring and zoom are rubberized, the aperture control ring is plastic.

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. The trunk of the lens does not spontaneously protrude.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Focusing

Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF focuses very fast. While working on camera Nikon D700 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'.

The focus ring rotates 60 degrees. During auto focus, the focus ring rotates, at which time it cannot be touched.

During a change in focal length, the front of the barrel rim lengthens slightly, lengthening occurs in waves (typical of a large number of lenses). When you change the focal length, the front lens does not rotate.

Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF has a focusing distance scale in meters and feet. The minimum focusing distance is 0.33 meters and the maximum zoom ratio is 1: 6.7. For super-widths, MDF is very important, with its help you can shoot funny pictures with an unusual reproduction of perspective. Unfortunately, in terms of MDF, Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF is not surprising with anything special.

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.

There is no focus mode switch on the lens, the transition to manual focus and vice versa is carried out using the switch on the camera, which is located near the camera mount.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Diaphragm

The lens aperture consists of 7 rounded petals.

There are marks with a focal length on the zoom ring, the following is a list with the minimum numbers F available for these marks:

  • 18 mm - F / 3.5
  • 24 mm - F / 4.0
  • 28 mm - F / 4.2
  • 35 mm - F / 4.5

By the way, I'm glad that Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF uses not the 'darkest' aperture - at the long end the lens has F / 4.5, which is 1.55 times 'brighter' than F / 5.6.

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, it is marked with the values ​​of F / 3.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 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 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF is one of the few lenses that has a red letter 'L' ('Lock' - 'lock'). I have seen such a letter Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction и Nikon AF Nikkor 24-85mm 1: 2.8-4 D IF Aspherical Macro (1: 2) и Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm 1: 2.8D SWM IF Aspherical.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Image quality

Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF is generally good, the most serious drawback of the lens is strong heterogeneous distortion by 18 mm and a drop in sharpness when zooming to 35 mm. In the center of the frame at 18 mm and F / 3.5, there are no complaints at all about sharpness, but the angles and edges at this aperture value are very weak and come back to normal only after F / 8.0. Sharpness of 35 mm and F / 4.5 is noticeably worse than 18 mm and F / 3.5. Also, the lens suffers from vignetting, especially at 18 mm focal length and strong chromatic aberrations. The strongest HA they are noticeable just by 18 mm, by 35 mm they are slightly better fixed. Ultimately, the image quality corresponds to the low cost of the lens.

You can download RAW source files at this link (13 files in the '.NEF' format, 370 MB). All photos were shot on Nikon D700.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED

My experience

The whole time I had my Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF, it was terrible rainy weather and I really didn’t shoot it in the back and side light in order to normally check its resistance to backlight and other defects. Nevertheless, I shot several baptismsusing it as a shirik-reportage in the cramped rooms of temples. I really liked the instant accurate focusing and the ability to use 18 mm, but I would buy a Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF only from hopelessness. I think it's better to add money and take Nikon AF Nikkor 20-35mm 1: 2.8D. Also, an excellent replacement can serve as Nikon AF Nikkor 20mm 1: 2.8D.

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED and Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8D

Nikon AF 18-35 mm f / 3.5-4.5D IF ED and Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8D

Price

You can see the prices for the lens in popular stores. 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.


Results

The Nikon 18-35 / 3.5-4.5D AF is the most affordable 18x ultra-wide zoom lens native to Nikon Nikkor. Unfortunately, it is not only the cheapest, but also the weakest lens among all other similar super-widths from Nikon. Nevertheless, it still attracts with the ability to use 18mm focal length, and the sharpness in the center of the frame at XNUMXmm is excellent.

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

Add a comment: Sergei

 

 

Comments: 36, on the topic: Review of Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical

  • brighty

    Thanks Arkady, good reading for the night, it's a pity there are not enough pictures.

  • Alexander Malyaev

    Arkady, how is this 18-35 compared to Tokina 20-35 missile defense? At used prices they are approximately equal.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If I mean the Tokina AT-X PRO 20-35mm 1: 2.8 235 AF, then it is softer on the open, but the sharpness in the frame is more uniform. At the same F values, Tokina will win.

      • Alexander Malyaev

        Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to know, thanks!

  • anonym

    What advise from shirikov to crop?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      For example - Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 12-24mm 1: 4G ED SWM IF Aspherical, an overview of which can be viewed at the link https://radojuva.com.ua/2015/07/nikon-dx-af-s-12-24-ed-swm-if/... In the same place, in the section “My experience and recommendations”, my recommendations for choosing a width are indicated, as well as a list of all autofocus ultra-wide crop widths.

      • anonym

        Thank you of course for the advice, but I would have something better for a budget))
        Maybe from not native? Tokina or Tamron? what do you think?))

        • Michael

          Tokina 11-16 is good, sigma 10-20 is also nothing. I personally did not like Tokina 12-24 of the first version

        • anonym

          Have you read the link? There, everything about everything is clearly and readily written.

  • Kairat

    Good day, Arkady. Compared to Tamron 17-35 \ 2.8-4 on Fulframe, which is preferable?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Tamron 17-35 did not use, I can not tell.

    • Oleg

      I have such a Tamron, I am very pleased with it - sharp with an open, I really like the color rendition

      • Oleg

        Another photo to them:

      • Jury

        And what kind of Tamron do you have a new or d

  • Oleg

    people to spikes are indifferent to something. Nobody used 20mm kenon?

    • Oleg

      I apologize for the width

    • Lynx

      spines - they are not for everyone. most love classic ... focal ones.

  • Daria

    Sorry, I did not find a review on the nikon 16-35 or on the Tokina 16-28mm f / 2.8 FX
    Can anyone advise ... which is better than the Nikon 16-35 or the Tokina 16-28mm f / 2.8 FX?
    Specific requirements ... It is necessary that it pulls by 16 mm (the train of the wedding dress will stretch), so that by 20 mm the distortion is minimized as much as possible (I understand that it will not work at all), and by 35 mm or 28 mm it will go completely (well, again, as far as possible ).
    I looked at examples of photos of both lenses in nete. Nikon 16-35 seems to be suitable for distortion requirements. Yes, and I like that he has 35, and not 28 maximum focal length. But the aperture ratio attracts more tokins (although it seemed, 20 mm of tokina attracts more than Nikon)
    It’s interesting for me to play with weddings and landscapes, to take pictures of architecture while traveling.
    I plan to use the lens on the nikon d 610.
    Or maybe I generally better Nikon 17-35 / 2.8D? (17-35, of course, is a little expensive for me, but if it really makes sense, I’ll better save it)
    Can you advise what?)

    • anonym

      I advise: 16-35 for your money is ideal, you need to save up to 14-24, f / 2,8 does not solve, shoot weddings at 28 f / 1,8 :) really, really!

  • orenkomp.ru

    Autofocus never let me down. Of course, we are talking about a lens that has everything sharply from three meters away - the depth of field is so great for wide-angle lenses, but other lens models manage to seriously "think" even in their small working range.

    • Maksim

      I would say that everything is not so as it seems, the flu at 3,5 and 4,5 is not very big on this lens, but the fact that it is accurate is for sure I have one and it focuses perfectly on the d7100. And it allows 24 MP, color reproduction at he tolerates the height and the backlit, and even more than enough sharpness at f8, so for the money that it costs it is an excellent lens! here is the link to the original jpeg https://cloud.mail.ru/public/27Td/m2yYxJtcs

      • Maksim

        I want to add about this wonderful lens, now I have a brand new D750 and it’s gorgeous on it, sharpness, detail, color reproduction is very pleasing, and even in ACR it looks great, it's a pity there is no profile for correcting distortion and vinenting, but this is not so important cleared with a bang by ticking, and in the native editor, respectively, everything is removed automatically !!! The angle is very wide! I am delighted and most importantly beautiful, though not big but a little bowl! There are examples of photos in my profile in the link to the Nikon D750 album and 18-35 3,4-4,5D development in ACR: ok https://ok.ru/profile/386831566993/album/878116537233?st._aid=Undefined_Albums_OverPhoto

  • bonito-kids.com

    The color reproduction of most ultra-wide-angle lenses is very good. Engineers have learned to correct classical problems such as chromatic aberration in modern optical systems quite effectively.

  • Andri

    I have a question. Please tell me, Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35 is better in picture quality than Tokina 128 AT-X Pro SD 12-28. Just faced a choice when buying. Thank you for the answer.

  • Marat

    Hello, I have Samyang 16 / 2.0 for crop, for it they offer Nikkor 18-35 / 3,5-4,5D in exchange for it, I rent schools, kindergartens on the D7100. Do you think it's worth changing?

  • Alexey de Paris

    Hello, thanks for the informative review! As always, your experience helps me in choosing optics. Surprised that there are so few comments ... Probably shiriki is really not for all photographers. I am shooting the third year and the first year full frame but only a few days ago I started to master ultra-wide focal lengths and it's very interesting! Thank you very much ! Great photos in the review! I recommend everyone to download and watch in full quality!

  • Glory

    Thanks for the review! Do you or readers have experience with the G version of this lens?

  • Sergei

    For the money (5.500-6000 UAH) in the secondary market, perhaps the best lens. I chose between the 20-35 pro 2.8 token and this Nikon. I have no regrets. Picked up but in perfect condition (new). The report proved to be an indispensable addition to 50mm. The tight room (fitness room) was photographed without problems. D700 + flash. Sharpness is more than acceptable, colors are natural, geometry is also normal. The landscape is in the future. In general, very happy. Thanks to Arkady.

  • Edward

    tell me - which is better for a full frame?
    Nikon 18-35D 3.5-4.5
    sigma 15-30 3.5-4.5
    sigma 17-35 2.8-4
    Tamron 17-35 2.8-4

    those need universal wide ff zoom
    software - at 2.8 - I'm not critical
    the main thing is that 4-8 were workers
    fixes, as well as 14-24, 16-28, and 16-35 do not offer - fixes are not always convenient, and the indicated zooms - I do not see good offers now
    you need a versatile, not very expensive zoom, if you need a better zoom - I will change
    +
    is there a significant difference between
    sigma 17-35 2.8-4
    Tamron 17-35 2.8-4
    they seem very similar, and I couldn’t find a direct comparison anywhere.

    • Sergei

      The lens is excellent, comparable to nikkor 5,6 / 24 and I’m shooting a D2,8 by 7000 or less in sharpness.

    • Alexander Malyaev

      Why don't you consider Nikon 18-35 f / 3.5-4.5G (namely G)? I have such and am quite pleased with him. Very sharp and light, and relatively inexpensive.

  • anonym

    the lens is really not very

  • Anton

    The resolution of this lens is enough for Nikon d800?

  • Igor

    Arkady, welcome!
    What can you say on such a lens: Tokina AF 19-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5.
    Unless, of course, you had experience using it, but at least you didn’t find a review on it.
    Thank you in advance.

  • Vladimir

    I completely agree with the author. Good article, many of the comments and conclusions are correct. I shot on 18-35 mm for 10 years, until I replaced it with 14-24 2,8

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