AF Nikkor 35-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 N
Lens construction: | 8 elements in 7 groups |
Focus distance: | 0.35 m to infinity |
Angle of View: | 62° - 34° 20' |
Max. reproduction ratio: | 1:4.4 |
Aperture scale: | f/3.3 to f/22 |
Attachment size: | 52 mm |
Diaphgram blades: | 7 |
Lens hood: | HN-2 |
Dimensions: | 70.5 mm (dia.) x 69 mm (length) |
Weight: | 275 g |
In 1984 Nikon introduced the AI-S 35-70/3.3-4.5, a standard zoom addressed to the mass-market, which is still produced. The performance of this two-ring zoom is surprisingly good when stopped down (at f/5.6-f/11). In 1986, the same year the F-501 (N2020) was introduced, the same lens was offered in an AF-version fitted with a rather slim, plasticky focusing ring which was not very convenient for manual operation. In order to overcome this ergonomic limit, in 1989 the lens was fitted with a modified barrel, characterized by a broader rubber-coated focusing ring (N version).
This lens has a useful close-up setting at 70 mm, thus allowing a 1:4.4 reproduction ratio. Thanks to its modest design (8 elements in 7 groups), this zoom is among the best ones for its low flare and ghosting levels. The rotating front end is a little annoying when a polariser is used and barrel distorsion is visible at wide-angle setting (35 mm). In this respect, the AF 35-70/2.8 is much better. This zoom mounts the same screw-in lens hood (HN-2) as my AI-S 28/2.8. I love to use this zoom for landscapes, as well as for portraits (set at 70 mm).
Meteora - Greece
Fisherman (Pescara - Italy)
Campo Imperatore - Gran Sasso d'Italia
Mt. Sirente - Abruzzo (Italy)
A cheap zoom for macrophotography?
The answer is YES! definitely! As Bjørn Rørslett suggests in his website, this lens performs very well when coupled to the Nikon 4T close-up lens and reversed using a BR2A ring (see picture below). I tried this combo and I can confirm its very good performance at high magnifications.
With this set-up, magnifications in the 0.4-2.4 X range are obtained. The two images below show tulip's stamens & pistil; the pictures were taken at magnifications around 1X and 2X on the film, respectively.
1 X |
2 X |
With extension tubes, the magnification can be even increased. The picture below shows a Longhorn beetle (Rosalia alpina); magnification is around 3X.
Longhorn Beetle (Rosalia alpina)
Therefore, if you wish to take macro pictures at magnifications larger than 1X, take this zoom, a 4T lens and a BR2A reversing ring and enjoy this cheap but surprisingly good combination!
All images © Copyright Riccardo Polini