Nikon Nikkor AF-S Zoom 17-35mm f/2.8 IF-ED Review

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Nikon Nikkor AF-S Zoom 17-35mm f/2.8 IF-ED
3.4 stars
Average rating for this product is: 3.4 out of 5

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Anthony Wong.'s Review of Nikon Nikkor AF-S Zoom 17-35mm f/2.8 IF-ED 35mm SLR Lens

12th Aug 2000

Overall Rating

1 stars
  • Value for money
    1 stars
Good Points

none


Bad Points

Costly, heavy, optically inferior at 17mm and 20mm. Silent wave technology not available in better "consumer zooms".


General Comments

For those of you bone-heads who worship this lens, why don't you try shooting at 17mm/f2.8 and 20mm/f2.8, blow up the print and judge the results? I have tried this lens and got the following results: (1) significant barrel distortion (2) soft at the corners (3) vignetting. This product is far from perfect, and any good photographer can comment on the results. The Tokina 20-35/f2.8 is by far the better performer, at more reasonable cost, if you are looking for quality, not merely brand. To me, this lens is merely for the sake of convenience. Glad I did not buy it, as I was able to borrow one to try out first!!!

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Members' Comments onAnthony Wong.'s Review

  • twodogs. on 30th May 2002

    What I really don't understand is how this reviewer can keep a straight face and comment on the lack of AF-S in Nikon's consumer line? Really, what relevence is this in regards to a pro lens? Please stick to the issues at hand and compare apples to apples. And besides, what do you need AF-S/USM for in a wide angle lens? The focusing ring will hardly move do to the great depth of field, or am I misunderstanding wide angle lenses?

  • ziggy marley. on 27th Sep 2002

    This lens is incredible. Granted, the comments about softness are ridiculous, and as for the vignetting issue...well, think about this for a moment. 17mm...that's quite a field of view, and any vignetting is the filters/hoods fault, not the lens.

  • pmanhart on 18th Dec 2004

    I think the reviewer has some valid points. But using terms like 'boneheads' to describe people who like the lens does not add to his credibility. Why comment on potential users at all? Why not comment on the lens?
    Second, distortion is to be expected in such a wide angle lens. It is not something the designer typically worries about. Spherical, coma and astigmatism are much more difficult to correct and that is where his efforts lie. I DO expect image quality to vary from brand to brand, such as MTF from center to edge of field. But I do not believe that distortion will differ significantly between brands.
    By the way, I design lenses for a living.
    But reading reviews is very valuable and I'm happy to have come across a site where I can read others comments. I have tested Zeis lenses vs cheapo stuff from KMART and found very little difference in performance, but a large difference in price. As the reviewr says, don't buy for brand name.