Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 18 35mm F 3 5 4 5G ED Review | 54 Data compared

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED as an affordable, lightweight, and compact ultra-wide zoom for full-frame cameras, delivering outstanding center sharpness and fast, quiet autofocus. Key advantages include excellent control over chromatic aberrations and a superior performance compared to older alternatives. Conversely, the lens exhibits significant, challenging barrel distortion and vignetting, particularly at 35mm. While center resolution is high, edge and corner sharpness are weak, paired with a plasticky, non-weather-sealed build.

The Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is a lightweight and reasonably priced wide-angle zoom lens designed for full-frame FX format DSLRs, acting as a successor to the older 18-35mm D version. Tested on a 36MP D800, it serves as a highly recommended entry-level option for FX bodies or an adaptable choice for DX bodies, where it provides a 27-53mm equivalent focal range. The lens features a weather-sealed metal mount, an updated optical formula with 12 elements in 8 groups, a standard 77mm filter thread, and a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quiet autofocus operation that works seamlessly on entry-level bodies. Build quality resembles that of a quality amateur lens, featuring a lightweight plastic construction weighing just 385g and a smooth, slightly stiff zoom ring. The lens presents a distinct mix of pros and cons regarding its optical performance and handling. On the positive side, it delivers good image quality within the DX image circle, exhibits a low number of glass-to-air surfaces to reduce flare, offers functional manual focus override, and is significantly cheaper, smaller, and lighter than up-market alternatives like...

The Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is a highly capable, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for full-frame cameras. In real-world and technical testing, it delivers exceptional image quality with MTF curves remaining tightly grouped and well above the critical threshold across all focal lengths. Chromatic aberration is practically nonexistent, showing no visible color fringing in everyday photographs. Physically, the lens features a robust, conical design with internal focusing that prevents the 77mm front filter thread from rotating. Its automatic focusing mechanism operates quickly and nearly silently, though Nikon notes that ultra-wide compositions with tiny main subjects might occasionally challenge the AF system. A major benefit of this lens is its excellent overall value, outperforming other 18mm starter alternatives and acting as a much more affordable full-frame option than Nikon's 16-35mm or 17-35mm zooms. Additionally, the zoom ring remains completely accessible even when the lens hood is stored in reverse. However, the lens has a few notable drawbacks. It lacks a wide, constant aperture, making it a slower option when compared to competitor cropped-sensor alternatives like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8. The...

The Photography Life review identifies the Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED as a high-value, lightweight ultra-wide-angle lens for full-frame cameras, offering exceptional sharpness that often outperforms more expensive counterparts. Key advantages include its affordable $750 price point, impressive corner resolution, and significant improvements in managing distortion and chromatic aberrations over the older D-type version. Conversely, the review notes cons including a heavily plastic construction and the absence of vibration reduction (VR) or a constant aperture, which impacts its versatility in low-light situations. Additionally, it lacks Nano Crystal Coat, resulting in less vibrant color rendering compared to higher-end lenses.

The OpticalLimits review by Markus Stamm outlines the Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 G ED as a modernized, budget-friendly wide-angle zoom lens explicitly redesigned to support Nikon's growing full-frame (FX) consumer market, such as the D600. Tested on a high-resolution Nikon D3x, this updated version directly replaces the outdated AF-D predecessor by incorporating an enhanced optical construction consisting of 12 elements in 8 groups, featuring two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and three aspherical glass elements. Built specifically to balance affordability with functional performance, it features a lightweight 385g design utilizing a plastic barrel resting over a solid metal lens mount. The primary advantages of this lens include its Silent-Wave Motor (AF-S) autofocus system, which provides remarkably fast, near-silent operation and full autofocus compatibility across all entry-level DX and pro FX Nikon bodies. Handling is boosted by smoothly-damped zoom and focus rings, an internal focusing (IF) layout that stops the 77mm front thread from spinning when using polarizers, and an inner tube layout that ensures the total physical length remains constant while zooming. On the downside, the physical build leans heavily on consumer-grade...

This review highlights the Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED as an affordable, lightweight wide-angle zoom lens designed for both full-frame (FX) and crop-sensor (DX) cameras. Tested on a Nikon D7100, it provides an equivalent field of view of 28-53mm with excellent center sharpness that peaks at f/5.6. Physically, the lens features a handy, weather-sealed design with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast, quiet autofocus, making it fully compatible with all modern Nikon bodies. It delivers highly effective in-camera correction for chromatic aberration in JPGs, along with virtually unnoticeable distortion and minimal vignetting across the entire zoom range. The review identifies several key strengths and weaknesses that potential buyers should consider before paying its 749-euro retail price. The primary pros include its high center sharpness, low distortion, minimal vignetting, fast and accurate autofocus tracking, and its compact, lightweight body. Conversely, the cons focus on a lack of built-in image stabilization, less-than-ideal bokeh quality, and corner sharpness that lags behind the center at wider apertures. Furthermore, despite its Super Integrated Coating, occasional ghosting and flaring can still occur in direct backlight....

This full-frame ultra-wide zoom lens updates its film-era predecessor by introducing electronic aperture control, an ultrasonic autofocus motor (SWM) for quiet operation, and enhanced optical elements including two ED glass and three aspherical elements. Tested on the high-resolution Nikon D800, it achieves an excellent DxOMark score of 26 points and an impressive 17P-Mpix sharpness score, matching the premium 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. The lens offers incredible sharpness consistency across the frame from edge to edge, low distortion (aside from minor wide-angle effects), great control over chromatic aberration, and standard vignetting levels. The primary advantages of this $750 lens are its exceptional edge-to-edge optical sharpness, effective correction of lateral chromatic aberration, compatibility with older and entry-level DX-format cameras, and lightweight 385g build that ensures high portability. On the downside, it features a relatively slow and variable f/3.5-4.5 aperture, lacks a dedicated physical aperture collar, and relies on an all-plastic construction. Additionally, it requires a larger 77mm filter size and behaves as a less compelling 28-55mm equivalent focal range when mounted on cropped DX-sensor camera bodies.

The Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED is highlighted as an underrated, budget-friendly, full-frame ultra-wide zoom offering spectacular sharpness at 18mm and exceptional flare control. Its lightweight construction makes it highly portable, with the review praising its performance despite being an older "G" series lens. While offering high value, the review notes compromises including less consistent sharpness at the 35mm end and noticeable barrel distortion at wide focal lengths. Additionally, the lens produces less-than-ideal sun-star rendering compared to some competitors. For the full, detailed review, visit Beau Photo Supplies.