Nikkor 35-70 2.8 - any good?

[jyt]

Hi,

I am looking at getting the 35-70 2.8 lens for general portrait work. I found that loved that sort of range after getting a 50mm 1.8. The 50mm lives on my camera most of the time...unless I need the 18mm width of the kit.

Not sure if members have any experience with this lens, but is it as good as people say it is. I am looking to shoot a wedding in August and potentially have the opportunity to get one 2nd hand. How mush would you pay for it?

opinions?

[Glen]

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_zoom_02.html#AF35-70D

Joe, above is a review of it I would trust. Rates it 4.5 out of 5. As this size range has lost popularity with new wider range lenses out, I have seen these on Ebay betwwen $400- $1,000. Not really sure what is a fair price

[jyt]

thanks...

do you think there is any improvement over the kit lens?

[birddog114]

In my point of view the 35-70/2.8 is not a good ideal with the D70 or DSLR. Perhaps with the film body.

[samester]

I almost bought two of them, both second hand.

The first one i picked up looked unused and in perfect condition, looked inside and found a spot of fungus so i passed. Second one i almost picked up again looked in perfect condition but on closer inspection looked a little funny from inside. Price was right so i took it to a few places for an opinion and found that one of the rear elements needed to be replaced (made of two separate pieces of glass sandwiched together and this was starting to delaminate), again i passed.

I'd be quite cautious if buying one second hand - check it out thoroughly.

After handling the lens i found that i'm not a fan of push pull zoom and the other annoying thing is that the front element rotates when focussing.

It's a great lens in the right hands, good glass etc but not for me.