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Nikkor AF 35-70mm f3.3-4.5

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Year Introduced:

Tested with...

52mm

Nikon AF

f3.3-f22

.35 meters

n/a

1986

Eos 6D - Full Frame

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      Back in the 90's this was the standard kit lens for N5005 and N6006.   It is an Ais AF design which uses a screw drive AF.    I used one on my N6006 and got good results on slide film.   This lens has been forgotten until recently because it's range doesn't make much sense on a sub frame D-Slr, but now that full frame bodies are becoming more popular and affordable, it has found new life on the used market.    
     Is it a good lens?  Yes.   I tested my copy on my Eos 6D with a Nikon to Eos adapter.   Focusing was easier than I expected despite the tiny focus ring.    
     You can see from the pics below that it can produce sharp images.    All of my test shots were sharp at all focal lengths and apertures.   The weakest performance was at 35mm wide open, but it was still very good. 

     Contrast is good, but slightly lower than a Nikon prime lens.   

     Color rendition is spot on.   Saturation is also very accurate.
     Distortion can be seen at 35mm but is not noticeable at 50mm and 70mm.   

     Bokeh is a bit busy and that is typical of zoom lenses.   A swirl effect can be seen when shooting close range at 35mm.
     Fringing can be seen in harshly lit shots if you are pixel peeping, but it can be easily corrected.
     Bokeh fringing is quite noticeable.  See test pics below.

     This was a very good walk around lens in the 90's and it remains so today.   While it doesn't have the versatility of the AF Nikkor 28-85mm, it does offer excellent image quality in a reasonably low price range.  
 

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f5.6 - 35mm

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f4.5 - 70mm

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f3.3 - 35mm - swirl bokeh

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f4.5 - 50mm - fringing

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f5.6 - 70mm

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f5.6 - 70mm

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f4.5 - 70mm

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f5.6 - 70mm - neutral b/w

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f5.6 - 70mm

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f5.6 - 70mm

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f4.5 - 70mm

Bokeh Fringing Test
Eos 6D

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35mm f3.3

bf-33-56--355070_MG_5302.jpg

35mm f5.6

bf-33-56--355070_MG_5303.jpg

50mm f4

bf-33-56--355070_MG_5304.jpg

50mm f5.6

bf-33-56--355070_MG_5305.jpg

70mm f4.5

bf-33-56--355070_MG_5306.jpg

70mm f5.6

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