Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm
A constant f/2.8 aperture across the 17-35mm range, combined with 2 ED and 3 aspherical elements, delivers edge-to-edge sharpness for demanding optical applications. Its all-metal construction and 9-blade rounded diaphragm provide a durable build and natural background blur that specs alone don't fully convey. This lens is best for architectural and landscape photographers on Nikon F-mount who prioritize distortion control and a fast, reliable Silent Wave Motor over modern stabilization.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
A pro-built, constant f/2.8 wide zoom that feels immortal. Skip it for high-res digital unless you're shooting at f/5.6 and craving that vintage Nikkor rendering.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Constant f/2.8 aperture is a low-light beast 87th
- Rugged, all-metal build that will outlive your camera 84th
- Surprisingly beautiful bokeh for a wide zoom 81st
- Silent Wave Motor is fast and discreet 75th
Cons
- Heavy. You'll feel this 745g chunk after a long day
- No VR. Handholding at 1/15th is a prayer, not a plan
- AF motor squeak is a known issue on older copies
- Corner sharpness on high-res sensors is just okay
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 8 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
What surprised us most is how well the bokeh holds up for a wide-angle zoom. It sits in the 87th percentile in our database, and those 9 rounded aperture blades really do paint out-of-focus backgrounds with a creamy, natural look you just don't expect at 17mm. The Silent Wave Motor is quick and accurate on older pro bodies like a D700 or D850, nailing focus without a fuss. But don't expect modern VR-assisted sharpness on a D850. The optics are strong, not chart-topping, and you'll see some softness in the corners wide open that newer designs have ironed out.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Optics
| Type | Wide-angle |
| Focal Length Min | 17 |
| Focal Length Max | 35 |
| Aspherical Elements | 3 |
| ED Elements | 2 |
Aperture
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Min Aperture | f/2.8 |
| Constant | Yes |
| Diaphragm Blades | 9 |
Build
| Mount | Nikon F |
| Format | full-frame |
| Weight | 0.7 kg / 1.6 lbs |
| Filter Thread | 77 |
AF & Stabilization
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor (SWM) |
Focus
| Min Focus Distance | 280 |
vs Competition
The obvious modern rival is Nikon's own AF-S 16-35mm f/4G VR. That lens gives you stabilization and better corner sharpness on high-megapixel bodies, but you lose a full stop of light. For video or handheld landscape work, the 16-35mm is the smarter buy. If you're on a mirrorless Z system, don't even bother adapting this. The Z 14-30mm f/4 S is lighter, sharper, and made for the mount. This old Nikkor is for people who need f/2.8 and a physical aperture ring, or who are still in love with their F-mount pro bodies.
| Spec | Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm | Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD | Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN | Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 | Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS | Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 17-35mm | 28-300mm | 18-50mm | 12-35mm | 18-135mm | 27mm |
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/2.8 | f/3.5 | f/1.2 |
| Mount | Nikon F | Sony E | Sony E | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Sony E |
| Stabilization | false | true | false | true | true | false |
| Weather Sealed | false | true | true | true | false | true |
| Weight (g) | 745 | 590 | 290 | 306 | 326 | 560 |
| AF Type | Silent Wave Motor (SWM) | VXD linear motor | stepping motor | Autofocus | Linear motor | STM |
| Lens Type | wide-angle | zoom | zoom | zoom | zoom | prime |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | AF | Bokeh | Build | Macro | Optical | Aperture | User Sentiment | Versatility | Social Proof | Stabilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikon NIKKOR 1960 17-35mm | 53.9 | 87.1 | 39 | 75 | 63.1 | 84.1 | 80.9 | 74.1 | 74.8 | 36.8 |
| Tamron Di III VC 28-300mm f/4-7.1 VXD Compare | 98 | 78 | 65.2 | 85.8 | 96.7 | 66.1 | 91.2 | 97.7 | 55.5 | 82.4 |
| Sigma Contemporary 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Compare | 86.9 | 81.9 | 86.1 | 91.7 | 82.2 | 84.1 | 80.9 | 78.6 | 89.7 | 36.8 |
| Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit H-ES12035 Compare | 53.9 | 81.9 | 85.4 | 51 | 86.5 | 84.1 | 63.7 | 80.6 | 85.3 | 96.9 |
| Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Compare | 98 | 75.5 | 72.5 | 40.3 | 78.5 | 77.5 | 44.7 | 95.8 | 89.7 | 82.4 |
| Viltrox Pro AF 27mm f/1.2 Compare | 86.9 | 98.5 | 67.4 | 38.5 | 82.2 | 98.6 | 91.2 | 33.6 | 89.7 | 36.8 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing is all over the map, with a wild $509 spread between vendors. If you're paying anywhere near the $2,299 top end, stop. That's used Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S money, and that lens smokes this one optically. The sweet spot is finding a clean, used copy around the $1,200 mark. At that price, the rugged build and constant f/2.8 make it a solid value for film shooters and DSLR diehards.
Read more
Overview
The Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D is a legend that refuses to retire. It's the wide zoom that built Nikon's reputation in the film era, and it still holds up shockingly well on modern DSLRs, provided you're not pixel-peeping on a 45-megapixel monster. The one thing to know is this: you're buying it for the constant f/2.8 aperture and that gorgeous, all-metal, pro-grade build. It feels like a tank because it is one.
Common Questions
Q: Will this lens work on a Nikon D850 or Z8 with an adapter?
Yes, it'll work on a D850 natively and on a Z8 via the FTZ adapter. But honestly, its optical design shows its age on 45-megapixel sensors. Corners get soft and you'll see more chromatic aberration than on a modern Z lens. It really shines on 24-megapixel bodies or 35mm film.
Q: Is the autofocus squeak a dealbreaker?
Not necessarily, but it's a warning sign. The squeak means the SWM is wearing out. It might work fine for years, or it might die next week. Factor a potential $300-$500 repair into the price if you're buying a squeaky copy.
Q: Does the built-in flash on my camera cast a shadow with this lens?
At 17mm, absolutely. The lens is long and wide enough to block the pop-up flash on most Nikon DSLRs, leaving a dark semicircle at the bottom of your frame. You'll need an external speedlight to avoid it.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for a lightweight travel lens or need vibration reduction for handheld video, this isn't it. Go get the Nikon 16-35mm f/4G VR instead. It's lighter, stabilized, and sharper in the corners on modern sensors. You'll trade a stop of light for a lot more keepers.
Verdict
The Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D is a specialist's tool in 2024. It's not the sharpest, not the lightest, and it definitely isn't stabilized. But if you shoot film, low-light events, or just want the most robust wide zoom Nikon ever bolted together, it's still a joy to use. Just buy a used copy with a known history, and listen carefully for that AF motor squeak before you hand over your cash.
