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

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January 2007

The good got better, the Nikon 17-35 AF-S f/2.8D ED-IF is one of the sharpest AF zoom lenses ever built. Nikon certainly did their job well when they upgrade this lens from the AF 20-35mm f/2.8D. This is one of my favorite lenses, and its always in my bag. I`ve always been a sucker for wide angle lenses, the wider the better.

Specifications

Positives

• Sharp. This lens is unbelievable sharp, even wide open.
• Contrast. Great contrast.
• Build quality. Nikons pro lenses is usually built like a tank, and this lens is no exception.
• AF-S. Focus is fast, and you also have the option to override the auto focus with the focus ring.
• IR. very good IR performance

Drawbacks

• Pricey. But heck you are really paying for quality here. IMO its worth the price, this is one of the sharpest zoom lenses out there.
• Heavy. built like a tank, weighs like a tank.
• No DOF/IR markings. No Depth Of Field or Infrared compensation scale.

Verdict

For a working pro this is a must have lens. This lens handles everything you throw at it, good contrast, excellent sharpness, and it also controls flair and ghosting pretty good too(as much as possible for a wide angle lens).This is by far the sharpest wide angle zoom I`ve ever used. It pretty much outperforms the Nikkor primes. Why have 4 different primes when you can have a single zoom that performs better?

Features
Performance
IR Performance
Build
Value

Price from: $1,599.95 USD*

Alternatives

Purchasing items through these links helps me adding more content to this website. The links takes you to B&H's website, which is my recommended store to get equipment from. I've used B&H personally since 2005, and I get all my equipment from them these days(including the lenses used for these reviews). Thanks for your support, Fredrik.

Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED-IF Price From $569.95 USD

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR Price: $1,259.95 USD

Nikon AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED-IF Price From: $1,749.95 USD

Or if you are on the Dx format:

Tokina AF 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124AF Pro DX. $399.95 USD

Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX. $599.95 USD

Tokina AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 DX. $579.95 USD

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF DX. Price From: $1,349.95 USD

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Price From: $789.95 USD

Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED-IF AF-S DX Price From: $989.95 USD

*Prices and rebates are subject to change. Listed price is from March 6, 2010

Sample Pictures

Images have been imported to photoshop CS3 through Capture NX 2 thus leaving the original image settings as shot, I. E white balance, sharpening, etc .etc. Full resolution sample images are in RGB color mode. Check out my copyright page for information about usage of these images.

Nikon D2H, 17-35mm AF-S @ 17mm 1/500 sec f/4

Crop @ 100%