Nikon 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor 35mm Zoom
Nikon 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor 35mm Zoom
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[Sep 20, 2005]
bradbrundage
Expert
Strength:
Great image quality throughout the entire zoom range
Weakness:
some might not like the push pull for the zooming compared to rotating your wrist; just takes a little getting used to. The weight of the lens takes some getting used to since its built like a tank, but after a while it seems to balance out a D70 or D100 nicely. This little gem has been forgotten about by many people as a GREAT lens that it truly is. I have used this lens at a few weddings and modeling shoots and it is SHARP. I can't brag about the macro since its not super, but it is better than say a Sigma/Quantaray 28-80 macro I took a picture of an outside wedding reception handheld using only available light and it came out very nicely. I will post some pictures taken by this lens soon. If you can get one of these lenses before the demand for it goes back up you can get it at a bargain price for a nice professional zoom catagory lens. However if you paid over $200 it is a great lens and for the price for what it is you cannot go wrong. Customer Service Have not had to use. Similar Products Used: everything under the sun by Nikon, tamron, sigma, phoenix, quantaray. |
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[Oct 25, 2001]
min123
Intermediate
Strength:
zoom, clean picture, feels tough and ridged. PRICE
Weakness:
the focusing ring is not as firm as the rest of the lens. Doesnt affect anything, but just feels like something is brokes. However it works perfectly This is a very flexible lens. Perfect for candids. Images nice and crisp (for the most part). A tad on the heavy side, but balances well with my f4. This isnt my most favorite lens, but it is my most frequently used lens for candid photography. For non-candid people photo, stick with prime lens Customer Service na Similar Products Used: various nikon and tamron lens |
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[Aug 18, 2000]
John Pearce
Expert
Strength:
Very good construction. Sharp if used correctly. Macro facility is useful.
Weakness:
You need to know what you are doing with this lens - not a snap shot lens for programme mode. A great travel lens - all you need in one zoom. Well made and fast concidering zooms produced today (unless you have a big bank account). Best used on apreture priority to stop the camera selecting Max or Min apertures. Ok on programme in bright light. It is very tough and has survived many hard knocks from all parts of the World, including a Camel kick in Africa. This is a photographers lens and will prduce good results if you take the hints from the other on this review about controling sharpness etc - but most lenses wide open go soft so the Nikon is not alone here. I love this lens on my F80 for travel - higly recommended. Customer Service Not used Similar Products Used: Nik 28/80, 75/240, 35/80, F80, F100 Various Sigma attempts !!! |
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[May 10, 2000]
James Tehubijuluw
Expert
Model Reviewed:
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor
Strength:
Good zoom range and handy for travel lens
Weakness:
Wider angle will be appreciated. Take 62mm filter. Non "D" lens This is a beautiful lens for my travelling photography. Carry one lens and you are set. This is my first lens and I still using it. Customer Service None needed so far Similar Products Used: 28-200mm, 35-70/2.8, 20-35/2.8, 80-200/2.8, 70-210/4-5.6 |
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[Apr 29, 2000]
John Greene
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor
Strength:
nice wide range
Weakness:
heavyish I've been using my 35-135 AF much more now since I have more free time and find that its optical qualities are quite pleasing. This 35-135 is way better than my compact zoom camera, which made me so lazy and wondering why my pictures looked so awful/washed out. The 35-135 is a bit heavy and does focus slow, but be sure to use it. With 100 speed film in bright light or 400 in fading light, this lens takes wonderful pictures. Wide open (like 90% of the lenses out there, even a 50 f1.4) it is not great at all, but getting the image may be what's important. The range will fit the bill at least 75% of the time, otherwise my 24mm is good for that enviornmental shooting. I have taken some great shots at the long end along with some beautiful portraits. And even some large wall prints of golfers from a discreet distance. In the real world (not the magazine f1.1 fantasy world), with todays advanced films like royal gold 400 and the equivalent nph fujifilm, this lens is taking some of my best shots. Be sure to use Aperature mode to keep the lens at the "sweet spot". (*TIP:most "programs" are set optimally for a 50mm 1.4 standard lens, which leaves your 3.5 to 4.5 to 5.6 or worse zoom in the wide open range, where it likely doesn't have good sharpness nor good contrast) Customer Service nada Similar Products Used: most average zooms- and most are below average in all measurable characteristics. |
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[Apr 18, 2000]
Mubeen Mughal
Expert
Model Reviewed:
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor
Strength:
Nice range for one lenspersonal travel photography. Good flare control. Much better when used at f/11 on a tripod. Better flare control than the Nikkor Af 35-70mm f/2.8.
Weakness:
Inherent average sharpness due to the extended zoom range. Poor sharpness when used wide open. Not good for low light photography. Beautiful one lens for personal travel photography. Similar Products Used: None |
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[Apr 01, 2000]
Walt Maring
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor
Strength:
Wide range, solid older push pull zoom design, sharp/contrasty when stopped 1+,slightly faster than comparable zooms (every stop counts), has macro mode (manual) that focusses down to less than 2 feet.
Weakness:
Flare prone, soft wide open especially at longer end, slow focussing, heavy and fairly larger (older design, close focus is far (5feet) At first, if you don't stop it down a little, results are unimpressive, low contrast, low resolution. When stopped down, especially from 35-100 (?around there, no marking) and using faster films 200+, the results are suprisingly very good. Color balance and contrast is excellent here.(This lense doesn't get the spotlight like the 24-120 nor the 28-105- these, too are okay, but need to be stopped down also) F4.5 at the long end may seem slow, but many zooms are even slower- every stop counts and may dictate a diffent film even with 1 stop difference (relative perspective: from bad to worse). Be sure to use a hood or shield the front element (not recessed) from direct stray light- this one is prone to flare. Very low distortion at either end- very flat. I keep thinking that a 24-120 would more convenient, but I already have a distortion free 24-50 that is very sharp, has nice contrast and is small, light. Overall a good value, since it is inexpensive when used. Customer Service none Similar Products Used: 24-120,24-50,180,20,24,35-80 |
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[Mar 12, 2000]
Pham Quang Thanh
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AF* Zoom-Nikkor
Strength:
I have all of necessary range focal length. It's suitable for a travel trip
Weakness:
The sharpness is so-so quality and a bit of heavy If you are on budget, it's a good one for you Similar Products Used: None |
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[Feb 28, 2001]
Armitage Shanks
Expert
Strength:
Nice range, sharp from 5.6 down, good people photography lens if you want to keep your kit down
Weakness:
1.5m min focus is a killer. I find the trombone action goofy, prefer to old two touch design that is again popular with the newer lenses 24-120 & 80-200. Macro only on 35 focal length The rating is based on a nikon scale, not against other manufacturers. This is still a great lens optically, as long as you play by the zoom rules. I just cant get over that min. focus distance...back to primes we go. Customer Service After 15 years never tried, never needed - thats why i use nikon Similar Products Used: 24-120 (5.6!!ouch!!) |
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[Apr 02, 2001]
Chris Chao
Intermediate
Strength:
Versatility
Weakness:
Size and weight This is probably my favorite lens. Not only do I use it, I see a lot of wedding photographers use it as the primary. It goes exclusively on my N8008s/MF-21 combo. Similar Products Used: None |


