AF Nikkor 35/2 Achilles Heel

[@catmonkey6826]

Best lens I own. I too had oil on the blades, a D version I bought that was unused but wouldn't stop down fast enough so I got it for a song. I sent it to a total camera and lens genius we have in Bristol UK and he took it apart and serviced all of it. Now it is amazing on my F2A & my D700. The results from both film and digital are incredible.

[@filmic1]

Hi, what was the service fee for cleaning those blades up? Just asking as an FYI. I don't own one, but it's on my mind. Our Nikon Service in Montreal (Canada) closed a number of years ago. I had my micro-nikkor 55mm 2.8 Ai serviced there as the focus became gummy over ten years. Now Nikon kit has to be sent to Nikon Canada in Toronto. Thanks! Thanks, @Briansphotoshow..

[@VoiceofFox]

Thanks for the tip. I love this lens. Bought it new a few years ago and use it more than any other on my F100. Upside down from now on.

[@Yul636]

All correct. Luckily, it is relatively easy to clean. It took me about an hour to do it after some KZbin instructions with no previous experience. All you need is a decent screwdriver set, a piece of rubber for walking stick, and isopropyl alcohol for cleaning.

[@StevenLilley]

I've had a 35mm f/2D since at least 2010 and never had any issues with it, nor indeed any of my lenses. I have always stored them either front element down or "on their side" when attached to a camera. (I think the oldest lens that I have is an 80mm f/2 AI.)

[@BriansPhotoShow]

As a general rule, do you see an advantage to storing lenses front element down as opposed to "right side up"?

[@VictorzPhoto]

Great advice, Thank you!

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lonnieclemens8028]

I placed a bid on this lens yesterday. Looking forward to trying it out.

[@413TomaccoRoad]

Cool. Naturally, most people store lenses in their bag (s) with the rear cap up.

[@bytecode5834]

Many thanks man

[@Cotictimmy]

I've had one of these for a couple of years and it does give lovely results. I had not heard that the oil on blades thing (which I knew to look for when buying a lens) was an issue with this particular lens. Thankfully I've dodged the bullet and my blades are nice and 'snappy'. I'll be storing it front element downwards from now on - Thanks Brian. I will be looking out for F Mount bargains as I am shunning mirrorless and sticking with DSLR for a few more years yet. I'd love to find a really cheap 105mm f2 DC, but being realistic I'll probably get the Tokina 100mm f2.8 Macro.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

Yeah, I've been thinking about a 105/2 DC, supposedly the best portrait lens ever made. If prices tank really hard I might get one, assuming I have a job.

[@VoiceofFox]

105mm f/2 DC is phenomenal. As is the 135. Get the 105 while they still make it and prices are ‘sensible’. 135 has now been discontinued

[@Project_2501]

Neither have I ever heard of this oil issue nor did I experience this with my 35 D's.

[@taraskovaliv]

Cool vid - thanks for this. Interesting. Do you know if this is same with earlier ai-s versions?

[@BriansPhotoShow]

To my knowledge, this problem is unique to the first-generation AF series.

[@goldenkakel5761]

Does other Nikkor D lenses share this issue? I own a Nikkor 20mm f/2.8 D lens and now I'm thinking about buying this 35mm lens instead of simga and other, newer lenses, but i never heard of that kind of problem with any lens. Thank you for this video.

[@BriansPhotoShow]

To my knowledge, none of the other Nikkor AF lenses suffer from this quirk.

[@lonnieclemens8028]

I bought this lens a few weeks ago. Now I regret it. It does not have the performance that I wanted. My 18-35 G lens out performs the 35mm f/2.

[@hottuna0304]

OMG. I gotta check mine. Btw, your "Nikon Film Cameras" book is currently not available on Amazon? (as per link above)

[@BriansPhotoShow]

That's odd. Perhaps I didn't copy the link properly. Sorry. Just search "Nikon film cameras" under the "books" category on Amazon and it should appear.

[@qaiszureikat7146]

I dont get why my D version lens is in sharp focus in center but out of focus especially on left side of frame more visible than right l, any ideas? I’m using it on my Nikon D850

[@AntPDC]

Thanks for the warning. Is there a fix once the oil has appeared on the petals?

[@BriansPhotoShow]

You'll have to pay a technician to disassemble the lens and clean it.

[@nickfanzo]

I store all my lenses “upside down”

[@powerlurker]

oddly it solve my pantacons 50 1.8apture problem。 and which 35mm you like most，not exclusive to nikon lens

[@BriansPhotoShow]

The Canon FD S.S.C. (thorium) 35mm f/2 is certainly one of my favorites.

[@powerlurker]

@@BriansPhotoShow just got my fd35-2 it just superb，sharp wild-open and the color has a depth in it，it do outperform auto、ai 35 2,35 2.8

[@harjinderthind]

Does this apply to other Nikon manual focus lenses as well? Do you recommend to store them upside down?

[@BriansPhotoShow]

No. As far as I know this phenomenon is unique to the autofocus 35mm f/2.

[@neilpiper9889]

Does this apply to my Yuongi 35mm f2 nikon fit afd full frame lens

[@paul_gercog860]

I have Yongnuo 35 mm f2. This better))

[@Nicolas-ki3dl]

Stupid. You can't deduce anything from such a small panel. That's how stupid rumours start on the internet.