AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.3~4.5, At The Playground

Vintage Lens Test: Image making with an AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-70mm 1:3.3~4.5 and a Nikon D200, colors of the children's playpen.

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The AF-Nikkor 35-70mm 3.3~4.5, is a lens of sorts, with both accolades and brickbats from both sides of the fence. This lens is small and light, weighs only 260 grams, has eight elements in seven groups, and comes with a plastic mount, as is most of the body. The lens was among the early batches of Nikon autofocus lenses designed for the AF Nikon F501/N2020 SLR camera in 1986 and has virtually the same optical formula as the manual focus Nikon Ai-S 35-70mm F/3.3-4.5.

The lens was also bundled as a standard lens for the F301, and the F501 as well as with other models after the two. Its compact size, measuring 70.5mm x 61mm, makes it one of the most compact AF Nikkor zoom lenses during that early period of AF photography. The lens was offered as a low-cost option for enthusiasts looking for a casual-use lens.

Nikon D200, AF-Nikkor 35-70mm 3.3~4.5

On the 10MP DX-format CCD sensor Nikon D200, which the lens was tested with, the lens is equivalent to a 52.5-105mm lens on a full-frame camera, making it almost a standard 50mm prime on the short end and a short telephoto on the long end. The lens, readily available on sales and auction sites, at much lower prices than anticipated, is a good bet and fun to work with.

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