Nikon D200, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

CCD Resurgence: First impression images with the 1986 AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5, mounted on the 10MP CCD APS-C Nikon D200.

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The AF-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5, a lightweight, compact autofocus zoom introduced by Nikon in 1986, is a lens of sorts with both accolades and brickbats from either side of the fence. The lens was among the early batch of Nikon autofocus lenses designed for the likes of the F4 and F501/N2020 (1986), and has virtually the same optical formula as the earlier manual focus Nikon Ai-S 35-70mm F/3.3-4.5.

The lens features a plastic construction with a metal mount, 8 elements in 7 groups construction with 6 rounded diaphragm blades, a push-pull/rotating zoom with a "macro" mode, a closest focusing distance of 0.5 meters in normal mode, and 0.35 meters in macro mode, measures 69 × 70.5mm in size, takes 52mm filters, and weighs 260 grams.

It is one of the most compact AF Nikkor zoom lenses during that early period of AF photography, and was also bundled as a standard lens for the F301, the F501, as well as with other Nikon models. Autofocus is driven by the camera's screw motor, and the lens is equally compatible with Nikon's D7000 series, D500, and D600-D850 models.

While Ken Rockwell places it on his list of the 10 worst Nikon lenses, the lens is also praised by others for its portability, fast autofocus on motor-driven bodies, and surprisingly good image quality when stopped down, particularly at its long (70mm) end.

Over its production run, the lens was seen in two iterations, with the MKI (1986–1989), manufactured solely in Japan and coming with a narrow front ring, and the MKII (1989–1994), which has a broader rubber focus ring, manufactured initially in Japan before its production was shifted to Thailand.

On the APS-C sensor Nikon D200, the AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 is equivalent to a 52.5-105mm zoom on a full-frame camera, making it almost a standard 50mm prime on the short end and a short telephoto on the long end of the zoom. The focal range makes it ideal for portraits, candid shots, travel, and general-purpose photography.

Nikon D200, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5

The Nikon D200, introduced in 2005, is a prosumer DSLR camera featuring a 10.2MP APS-C (DX-format) CCD-sensor DSLR highly regarded for its rugged magnesium alloy body, excellent, film-like color rendition, 11-point autofocus system, and 5 frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting. The camera has an ISO range from 100 to 1600 (expandable to 3200), and a large optical SLR viewfinder with 95% coverage. The camera does not record video or have a live view screen. Images are recorded on a single Compact Flash (CF) card slot.

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