I'm very interested on the new lens Nikon AF-S 28-70mm f2.8 ED-IF, as I'm now using Nikon AF 35-70mm f2.8D and not very satisfied with the results when comparing to the Nikon AF 80-200mm f2.8 ED (with tripod collar).

Is there any information on this lens: launch date, price, weight, quality etc or other opinions are welcome.

-- Phicol Kwan (phicol@yahoo.com), January 20, 1999

Answers

I was also interested in this lens until I heard that it is expensive 2000 US$ (see the discussion in the other posting) and heavy (I think 900g). It was on display at the photokina, but avaiable to be used, maybe only a prototype. Therefore I don't think that anybody can answer your other questions yet.

-- siegfried boes (boes@first.gmd.de), January 20, 1999.

The Nikon AF-S 28-70 isn't available yet, but according to Nikon Japan's web site, it'll use 77mm filters. Therefore it is going to be a large lens.

A friend of mine has the Canon 28-70/f2.8 L, and that is much bigger than my Nikon 35-70mm/f2.8. The Canon lens is around US$1200, so expect a pretty high price for the Nikon version (i.e. a lot more expensive than the existing 35-70/2.8 zoom).

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), January 20, 1999.

First let's look at what you compared your 35-70 to. The 80-200F2.8 ED has been a superb lense since the new redesign back in the early 90's. Your 35-70 doesn't have ED glass so your not being fair to it. If it did your results would be different. The 35-70 still delivers sharp and contrasty slides plus very low distortion. Nikons 28-70F3.5- 4.5 delivers surprising sharp pictures but has some distortion at the 28mm end. I image the new 28-70 though pricey will give superior results. We'll have to see where it comes in at in the camera stores.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), January 21, 1999.

28-70 has 2 ED lens and new 80-200af-s lens has 5 ed lens. I just hear from b/h they said 80-200 price is 1700$. I guess 28-70 might be 1000-1200$ range( it's only my guess)

-- Don KIM (cc002224@mindspring.com), January 22, 1999.

Before you keep on guessing, at photokina the Nikon guys said the two new AF-S zooms will have the same price of nearly 2000 US$. For the 80-200 this true, so I guess this will also be the price for the 28-70. And yes the lens is big, it looks like a shorter 80-200.

-- siegfried boes (boes@first.gmd.de), January 22, 1999.

The price you heard was manufacturers suggested retail price. The actual price will be what retailers determine what it will sell for. In the US that generally starts at about 85-90% then drops to around 50-60% after some time. 6 months to a year or more depending on the popularity of the item.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), January 22, 1999.

As far as followed the NIKON market the numbers are little different. I am not aware that there is much variation in prices in Germany, they start with a certain price and they keep it. It could happen that it will never be cheaper than 3500DM in Germany.

However, I bought most of my gear in Japan. In Japan they started usually with 100%, kept that price for a certain time, nearly 1 year for the F5 and the other 80-200 and then the went down. I think 35% off was the maximum I have ever seen. And usually the prices were somewhat better than in the US. If the demand was low, as with the macro zoom (70-180) or the 28-200 the prices dropped earlier or even from the start.

-- siegfried boes (boes@first.gmd.de), January 22, 1999.

Just got off of Triple A camera website. They're advertising the 80- 200 F2.8D AFS for 1550 US$. You can check it at: www.aaacamera.com/nikor_af_zoom.html

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), January 22, 1999.

Who wants to buy anything from thieves like "AAA Camera" at "SOUNDS VERY GOOD" prices.

Just check out here.

http://db.photo.net/neighbor/one-category.tcl?subcategory_1=Camera% 20Shops

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (pooh02@earthlink.net), January 22, 1999.

Hiroshi I'm not endorsing Triple AAA as being a top notch dealer. Just giving information that will help those wanting to find out what the price for the lense is being set at. It's just a starting point and other dealers will be posting their prices soon enough. I for one never purchase something new until the price stabilizes and they get the bugs(problems) worked out. I'm also leary in mail ordering equipment unless it's been around a while and has a good reputation.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), January 22, 1999.

Just wanted to comment on the site Hiroshi mentioned. It's very informative for those who plan to mail order equipment. It's good to see the complaints and praises people give to a company. Bear in mind that stores can change over time. Focus Electronics was a very reputable mail order company in the 80's but that seemed to have changed. The company is only as good as it's sales reps and managers. And no Hiroshi I wouldn't buy from Triple AAA Camera either after what I've read. Oh by the way you might want to try this URL instead, I had problems with the other one Hiroshi left. http://db.photo.net/neighbor/ Then select camera shops.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), January 22, 1999.

The URL I left is actually only one. I just copied the entire address, and it ended up into two lines. But, you can get there either ways.

Gary, you seem to be getting what I meant. AAA Camera's advertised price can't be trusted! Period. If you are LUCKY, you might get a Sigma zoom for the price of an AF-S zoom from AAA Camera; at least, that is what I understand how their business practice is. They keep fishing uninformed people with their VERY attractive "ADVERTISED PRICE."

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (pooh02@earthlink.net), January 23, 1999.

The new AF-S 28-70 is expected to be available in early March in Germany and the price will be around 4.000 DEM. However, the 80-200 AF-S *IS* already available (got mine in early December), costs around 3.400 DEM and is a joy to use despite its bigger size and bigger weight compared to its predecessor. In terms of optical performance it again was a step forward but nevertheless the step was not so big as the step from the one-ring-version to the latest (with the collar) version was.

As the 35-70/2,8 D is one of my backbone lenses, I agree in terms of speed and handling and I am absolutely curious about the new version...

-- Michael F. Heidecker (Michael_Heidecker@eu.wcj.com), January 28, 1999.

I've seen the "box" of AF-S 28-70/2.8, and it is available now! It cost the same price as 80-200!! ~ US$1,600!! Nearly three times of the 35-70/2.8D!!

Does anybody used it ? What's your feeling ? Any comment ?

-- Phicol Kwan (phicol@yahoo.com), March 28, 1999.

Yes, I use it on an F100. It is very well built, heavy, but very sharp. Once you get used to the size, its no problem. Very fast and silent focusing adds to the attraction of this wonderful lens.

-- qdb (qdb@barleigh.com), April 05, 1999.

28-70 in simply the best, but what else would one expect from Nikon? The current price at B&H is 1399 with Nikon USA warranty, 1329 with international warranty. Pictures are crisp and clear even with ISO 800 print film. Awesome lens w/ F100!

-- Dan Firks (lindseysguy@anfmail.com), June 11, 2001.