20-35 2.8 Reliability

[leotomlin]

<p>Hello All,<br>

I've come across a couple of EX+ examples of the old 20-35 2.8 which I'm tempted to buy since it is about half the price of the 17-35. But I also know that Nikon stopped officially supporting repairs on this lens this spring. So I'm interested in how reliable people think this lens is. I'm worried I'll buy it, something will go wrong, and then I won't be able to get it fixed.<br>

I'd be interested in your views. Thanks in advance!<br>

Leo<br>

(PS: the real focal length I'm after is 28mm, but the Nikon 28 2.8 doesn't seem to have very good reviews and I haven't yet tried the 24 2.8 to see how different it is)</p>

[dave_petley2]

<p>get the 28 2.8 AIS lens or 24 2.8 nice lens </p>

[SolaresLarrave]

There's always other places to send glass for repair... and, while we're at it, what is it you expect to fail in a lens?

[eb_lim]

<p>Hi<br>

Ethe 20-35 is a great FX lens and I have had mine since 1999 - bought it just before it was discontinued - and never had any problem with it at all. On my D 700 it works beautifully, I used it extensively on my trip to Vegas just 3 weeks ago.<br>

I prefer it over anything now that is wider than 20mm as there is less distortion. <br>

If you can get a good price on it get it.<br>

eb</p>

 

[eb_lim]

<p>Hi Leo<br>

Here is a shot taken with the 20-35 F2.8 and D700 about 3 weeks ago. It's a great lens.<br>

Eb </p><div></div>

[BernardMiller]

<p>Mine has been a workhorse for the year and a half I've owned it. Dunno how long it plied its trade before that (I purchased used), but it's going strong for me. And I'm well pleased indeed with the image quality.</p>

<p>I use it to shoot clubs in London, 2-3 times per month. I often shoot over 1000 photos on a night. So it's definitely been well-used!</p>

[borgis_karl_johan1]

<p>I owned one as a main travel lens for a number of years with no problems. Good optical quality - on slide film that is. Longevity of this lens is probably superior to "whistling Pete"- i. e. the 17-35 mm lens with its whining AF-S motor.</p>

[leotomlin]

All,

 

Thank you very much for the helpful replies. It now seems the shop has sold the model I had my eyes on, so I will have to

wait. In the meantime, how do people rate the 24mm 2.8?

[sam_lozano]

<p>I wouldn't worry too much about repair on the lens. I was at the Nikon APS (authorized nikon service facility) here in Chicago and saw a ton of old F2's, F3's, old AI lenses, all kinds of stuff that Nikon probably doesn't "officially" support. But they still take them and they can still fix them. I'm sure they've got plenty of old parts for a 20-35.<br>

BTW, I really enjoy my 20-35mm. I paid $500 for it and got rid of my 18-35mm. <br>

<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3336/4613633425_3c3e131ff5.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></p>