Nikon AF-S Zoom NIKKOR 17 35mm F 2 8D IF ED Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D ED IF is lauded as a professional-grade, ultra-wide-angle zoom that delivers prime-like image quality with exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness and contrast. Key advantages include its advanced optical design with ED and aspherical elements, fast and quiet Internal Focusing (SWM), and a constant f/2.8 aperture, making it highly versatile for both film and high-demand digital sensors. Conversely, the review identifies the lens's premium price and substantial physical weight as significant drawbacks. However, the analysis notes these cons are justified, as the versatile zoom effectively replaces five separate wide-angle prime lenses.

The Nikkor AF-S 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED is a professional-grade "gold ring" wide-angle zoom lens evaluated on the FX-format Nikon D3x camera. Originally launched as part of a high-end fast-zoom trio featuring early ultrasonic autofocus technology, it remains the only lens of its generation still sold new. Retailing for approximately 1,600 EUR or 1,750 USD, the lens bridges the gap between younger alternatives like the AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8 and the AF-S 16-35mm f/4 VR by combining a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture with a design that accommodates standard screw-on filters. The main advantages (pros) of this lens include its superb, professional-grade metal build quality, ultra-smooth control rings, and a fixed physical length during zooming and internal focusing. Its 77mm non-rotating front element makes using polarizing filters seamless, and the silent-wave drive delivers very fast, near-silent autofocus. It is also noticeably shorter and more compact than its modern alternatives. On the downside (cons), the lens offers the narrowest maximum picture angle among the three compared lenses, starting at 17mm instead of 14mm or 16mm. Additionally, it lacks modern optical image stabilization, features a...

The Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 AFS-Nikkor ED-IF is an exceptionally high-quality wide-angle zoom lens developed with a focus on digital bodies like the D1, featuring a complex optical formula that includes aspherical and ED elements, a unique inward-bulging front center, and a 77mm filter size. The reviewer notes that the lens balances beautifully on modern bodies and delivers supreme sharpness, contrast, and color saturation across its entire focal range. It is highly praised for outstanding flare and ghosting control that outperforms most prime lenses, exceptionally low field curvature making it ideal for flat or 3D subjects, and minimal chromatic aberration (color fringing) compared to older alternatives. Additionally, it offers incredibly fast autofocus action, lacks a rotating front element, handles infrared shooting flawlessly with zero hot-spots, and proves physically durable against wear and tear. However, the lens does exhibit a few performance and age-related drawbacks. There is moderate vignetting in the frame corners when shot wide open at f/2.8 and 17mm, along with some barrel distortion at the wider focal lengths and mild pincushion distortion at 35mm. While it performs exceptionally on...

The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8 is a professional-grade wide-angle zoom lens introduced in 1999 as Nikon's first non-telephoto lens featuring a Silent Wave autofocus motor. The reviewer notes its stellar, pro-built durability that handles heavy use, excellent overall contrast, high sharpness, and a nice bokeh quality. Additional benefits include a sturdy, clicking bayonet lens hood, a close minimum focusing distance of 0.28 meters, and a physical aperture ring that allows compatibility with older camera bodies. It delivers strong performance when shooting directly into the sun and functions remarkably well for infrared photography. Despite these strengths, the reviewer outlines a few minor drawbacks for users looking at fine details. The lens exhibits soft image corners when shooting in the 17-19mm focal range, even when stopped down. Furthermore, it occasionally produces a strange "wavy sharpness pattern" where clarity unevenly fluctuates across distinct parts of the frame. When compared to bulky alternatives like the 14-24mm f/2.8, the 17-35mm stands out as a highly versatile standard choice due to its standard 77mm filter thread, which easily accommodates protective and creative filters.