Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF vs Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR
Nikon F-Mount
Two wide-angle zooms for Nikon F-mount DSLRs, a good ten years apart. The AF-S 17-35 f/2.8D (1999) is a professional lens with a constant f/2.8 and an ultrasonic motor, without a stabilizer. As a D-type it has an aperture ring. The AF-S 16-35 f/4G ED VR (February 2010) is only f/4, but has an image stabilizer (VR II, about 4 stops) and Nano Crystal Coat, and starts at 16 mm. At 680 g it is slightly lighter than the 745 g 17-35.
Both take 77 mm filters and are designed for full frame. So you trade a stop of light for stabilization and one extra millimeter of wide angle.
Which one suits whom?
- 17-35 f/2.8: You need f/2.8 for moving subjects or low light and can do without VR.
- 16-35 f/4 VR: You often shoot handheld landscape or architecture and want the stabilization.
Key differences
- Focal length: 17-35 mm on the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF, 16-35 mm on the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR.
- The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF is faster: f/2.8 instead of f/4, about 1 stops more light.
- The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR is 65 g lighter (680 g vs 745 g).
- The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF is 19 mm shorter.
- Only the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR has optical image stabilization.
Specs side by side
The key specs of both lenses side by side.
| Lens | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF | Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR |
|---|---|---|
| Focal length | 17-35 mm | 16-35 mm |
| Max. aperture | f/2.8 | f/4 |
| Weight | 745 g | 680 g |
| Filter diameter | 77 mm | 77 mm |
| Min. focus distance | 28 cm | 28 cm |
| Length | 106 mm | 125 mm |
| Autofocus | yes | yes |
| Image stabilization | no | yes |
Size comparison
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF: 106 × 83 mm
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F4G ED VR: 125 × 83 mm
Side view to the same scale, length × diameter (without lens hood).