Testing Out: Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8D

Finally got my hands on this very good copy of the lens. It works on FX body, and probably works on the mid-range DX body too. On the FX body, just dial to the smallest aperture, and the camera will do the rest.

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm f/2.8

 If you are not aware, this lens is the grandmaster of fast zoom, the predecessor of the very popular 24-70mm lens. Like its successor, its optical performance is excellent (as I have read). However, unlike its successor, it is not costly. I bought this lens for slightly less than SGD$300 from eBay. This lens is light and compact. The built is solid and it feels solid. 

The lens on a Nikon D750.

I acquired this lens for use in occasional assignments, since having switched to the FX system recently, rendering my DX 17-55mm (almost) useless. (Although D750 has a feature where it auto switch to crop mode upon detecting a DX lens being mounted, but that defeats the purpose of using a FX body, right?)

This lens zooms by translating, instead of twisting, the barrel. It also has a macro mode at 35mm, but apparently there is no autofocus function at this mode. Interesting eh?

I quickly went to try out the lens in my neighbourhood.

At F8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority. Perhaps I still not familiar with the lens, I took many attempts to take this shot. The focusing plane seems thin. Perhaps a smaller aperture might be better.  

At F2.8, + 0.3EV, 35mm, ISO 400. Aperture Priority.

Alright, I hope I will have better samples once I get used to the lens.

~yzhifa