Sunday, May 25, 2008

Lens Review - nikon AF nikkor 35mm f/2.0D

nikon nikkor AF 35 mm f/2.0D (1995 Release) FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length : This is a FX format lens, so you can both use them on typical SLR 35 mm cameras and D-SLRs. But on a D-SLR camera, it will effect like 52,5mm.
Aperture: f/2,0 . Seven-bladed rounded diaphragm stopping down to f/22
Optics: 6 elements in 5 groups. No ED glass elements or aspherical elements.
Closest Focus: 25 cm(0r 10 inches)
Macro Ratio: 1:4.2
Filter size: 52mm Non-rotating
Accesories: Lens rear/front caps, Barrel shaped, screw-in metal HN-3 Bayonet Lens Hood (not incl.) . Lens case is optional.
Dimensions: 65 mm diameter. Length is 45 mm.
Weight: 205 grams

MY REVIEW ABOUT THIS LENS
The Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 is showing excellent sharpness. Build quality is excellent. According to IMATEST results, barrel distortion is only 0,64% , modorate. Vignetting is almost non-exsistant after 2 stop rule. At f/4, vignetting is not negligible. MTF Resolution results are excellent starting from f/2. Chromatic Aberrations are not field relevant. (limit is 1 pixel, test results are 0,4-0,8 pixel) .f/4 is the sweet point of this lens for sure.

35mm f/2.0 is a very good lens for outdoor candids. Unbelievablely light lens to carry, a monster for AF focus speed. Closesest focus length 25cm is good for detail photographers. I f you do not like to carry heavy equipment, this is your lens.

PAY ATTENTION :
- Has one serious and fatal design flaw that Nikon claims to have fixed as of June 2001 . Lenses produced earlier than this date, have lubricant leakage onto the diaphragm blades. Many of these lenses work without any problem with the lubricant on the diaphragm blades, but may be a disaster for detail obsessives like me :)
- Be careful if you are buying a second hand 35mm f/2D. Check the blades carefully.

VERDICT : It is a very cheap and lightweight lens with very good test results.
Highly Recommended (9/10)

MY SAMPLE SHOTS :

3 comments:

Unknown said...

This Lens is sharp! really Sharp
i use this lens for walking around grate for Architecture photos good in low light very decent at f2
highly recommended

Oytun PINAR said...

Dear Michel,
I agree with you. This is the lightest Nikon lens ever. Also sharp too. Just fyi : The sharpest f value of this lens is >f/4.0
But even at f/2.0, it has great output. If you want sharpest value for center + corner, need to go up to f/8...

Davis said...

This Lens is sharp! really Sharp i use this lens for walking around grate for Architecture photos good in low light very decent at f2 highly recommended