I’ve seen very little user reports on the Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f3.5-4.5G and I’ve seen quite a few users wondering how this lens performs.
I took a recent trip to California and needed an ultra wide angle lens, especially since I just sold my 14-24mm f2.8 due to lack of use. I felt the zoom range was too limiting and I needed something up to 35mm.
I’m including the full sized jpg and NEF files for you to draw your own conclusions also.
The apertures mostly used are f8 and smaller throughout the zoom range.
The sharpness is set at 3 out of 9 which is default for the D800E.
I found myself shooting mostly at either 18mm or 35mm.

18mm:

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands.

San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge from Marin Headlands.

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/15179253293_f98a5213a4_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaxpJz

Monterey California

Monterey California

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7578/15796817051_21cba8c62e_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaxSeN

 

Pacific Coast Highway California State Route 1

Pacific Coast Highway California State Route 1

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7570/15613519937_4c2258ab72_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xayn8B

Pacific Coast Highway past Monterey

Pacific Coast Highway past Monterey

Full sized jpg: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5609/15796809621_843858b3cf_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1y8f65Z

Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park

Full sized jpg: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15612857449_9d78e00ee4_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xazJA4

23mm:

Moro Rock - Sequoia National Park

Moro Rock – Sequoia National Park

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7477/15775000566_871912a956_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/11fZvGp

24mm:

Fort Point - San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Fort Point – San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7544/15774997156_ebbcca5c56_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/11fZS3O

25mm:

Three Rivers near Sequoia National Park

Three Rivers near Sequoia National Park

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7556/15612842889_feab497f95_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaBnBQ

29mm: Note the rainbow around the sun.

Moro Rock - Sunbow

Moro Rock – Sunbow

Full sized jpg: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15613825770_8b4de76f00_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/11g0Mgx

35mm:

 

Marin Headlands - Overlooking Golden Gate Bridge

Marin Headlands – Overlooking Golden Gate Bridge

Full sized jpg: https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5614/15798664025_4be7c2b7be_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaxpJz

Pacific Coast Highway

Pacific Coast Highway

Full sized jpg: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/15613247148_7513eb8bc4_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaCQYR

McWay Falls

McWay Falls

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7529/15612828749_4c17ba5f94_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaD9CU

Three Rivers

Three Rivers

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7505/15800219122_0ef5ee6abd_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaDBRL

Moro Rock - Clouds

Moro Rock – Clouds

Full sized jpg: https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8597/15800215422_d2f62e840c_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaDXHX

Delta Airlines - San Francisco International

Delta Airlines – San Francisco International

Full sized jpg: https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7510/15613804620_84750273ac_o.jpg
NEF: http://1drv.ms/1xaEjOP

What’s great:

  • From 18-28mm the lens is sharp all the way to the extreme edges. Especially focal lengths close to 18mm.
  • Extremely sharp in the center of the frame.
  • Interesting rainbow effect sometimes when you shoot into the sun.
  • Very good contrast.
  • Great colors and saturation.
  • Very light.
  • 77mm filter threads.

What’s okay:

  • Distortion isn’t bad at 18mm. It hasn’t ruined a shot for me.

What’s not great:

  • From 32-35mm the edges to extreme edges are really soft. Easy to see in the transition from center to the edges.
  • Edge softness isn’t bad on objects close to the lens but as you go toward infinity it becomes really soft.

I’m definitely keeping mine.

You can find the Nikon AF-S 18-35mm f3.5-4.5G on Amazon here.