AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, At the Stop

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, The Nikon F-601, and a vintage AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, an affordable 35mm film SLR setup for enthusiasts and collectors.

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At the train stop, in the quiet after the morning rush, time almost stood still. I was on my way to an outing in the suburbs and had with me the AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D mounted on the Nikon F601.

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, introduced in 1995, was the third and final iteration of the AF Zoom Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 series produced by Nikon. The AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, incidentally, is the only version that is fully compatible with all 35mm SLR Nikon film cameras as well as Nikon FX digital cameras manufactured from 1977 onward.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The Nikon F601, or the N6006 in the US, was introduced in 1991 and featured an improved autofocus system, auto film advance, pop-up electronic flash, a new multi-zone metering program, and a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second.

AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, In the Park

Analog Diary: Film photography favorites, images with the Nikon F-601, and AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, a very capable 1990s era 35mm film SLR kit for enthusiasts and collectors.

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I was using the lens for a short stint recently, with the lens mounted on a Nikon N75, and here I am back again, this time with the lens mounted on a Nikon F-601, out on an early morning walk in the park. Images were captured on a roll of Kodak ColorPlus 200, lab-processed, and scanned on the CanoScan 9000F MkII.

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D, or in its full designation, 'Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5D IF', is a 16-element in 12-groups NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) multicoated push-pull zoom lens, introduced in 1995. The lens was the last of three versions after the original Nikon's AF Zoom Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5, produced from 1986 to 1991, and the replacement Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5N MK II, which was in production from 1991 to 1995.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D version, incidentally, is the only version fully compatible with all 35mm SLR Nikon film cameras and Nikon FX digital cameras manufactured from 1977 onward. As for the camera, the Nikon F601 is a 1990 vintage, the first Nikon to use a 6V Lithium battery pack, and the second to be fitted with the improved autofocus and spot metering system, which is the mainstay of the high-end F-801s.

Nikon F-601, AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 D

The F-601 is fitted with a built-in pop-up electronic flash, a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second, and a new "Matrix" evaluative multi-zone metering program. It is compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount lenses, including both autofocus and manual focus types. During its production, the F-601 sat between the Nikon F-401 and Nikon F-801s in the company's consumer SLR range.

Two Vintage 35mm Analog SLRs, Loaded And Primed, Ready To Go

Analog Diary,: Film photography favorites, a look at two vintage popular analog 35mm SLR film cameras, a Canon EOS 700 QD, and a Nikon F-601, loaded, primed, and ready to go.

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My collection of vintage lenses and 35mm film SLRs grew over the last two weeks with the addition of an EF-mount Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2 zoom, a Canon EOS 700QD, the lens will be mounted on, and an AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 D, which I wanted to test mounted on the Nikon F601, an earlier acquisition.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5-4.2

The Sigma Zoom-γ AF 21-35mm f/3.5-4.2, the second in my collection after the initial Sigma Zoom-Gamma 21-35mm f/3.5-4, the world's first wide-angle zoom lens, was introduced in 1985 to meet the demands of AF SLR cameras, which started with the introduction of the Minolta Maxxum series.

Canon EOS 700 QD, Sigma Zoom AF 21-35mm F3.5-4.2

Just as well, the Canon EOS 700 QD, released in 1990 by Canon, was an upgrade of the EOS750/EOS850. Canon's initial development of the EOS series started with the introduction of the EOS 650 in 1987. The EOS 700QD is a frame-and-shoot 35mm film SLR with a range of programmed scene settings and an option of using the camera as a shutter-priority SLR.

Nikon F601, AF Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 D

The AF Zoom-Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5~4.5 D, developed from an Ai-S version of the same, is a kit zoom lens packaged with Nikon F cameras. The lens is said to be a gem often overlooked by photographers and reviewers during the days of Nikon AF film SLRs. It is a push-pull zoom with a decent zoom range, very well made, and a bit bulky by today's standards, but it comes with image qualities that are highly respected. Ken Rockwell's review here praises the lens.

Nikon F601, AF Nikkor 35-105mm F3.5~4.5 D

The Nikon F601 (N6006 in the US), an earlier acquisition, is a tough bakelite body from the era of the professional Nikon F4 and semi-professional F90x. Introduced in 1991, a couple of years after the F801, the Nikon mid-range came with an improved second-generation autofocus system, motor drive for automatic film advance, a built-in pop-up electronic flash, a top shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second, and a new 'Matrix' evaluative multi-zone metering program.

The camera and lens are a seamless fit; it has one of the brightest viewfinders I have ever come across, and it looks all set to be one of my preferred camera-lens combinations.