zoom35mmdiscontinued
Nikkor 25-50mm f/4 AI-S
Nikon · 1981-1997
One of the finest manual focus zooms ever made. Constant f/4 aperture throughout range. Internal focus design. CRC for close work. Sharp enough to rival primes at most settings.
Known for
- Landscape
- Travel
- Documentary
- General wide-to-standard
Considerations
- f/4 is slow
- Modest zoom range
- Heavy for a 2x zoom
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)4/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast4/5
Flare Resistance4/5
CA Control4/5
Vignetting Control4/5
Distortion Control3/5
Bokeh: Pleasant
Rendering: Sharp, consistent across range
Color: Neutral
Common Issues
- Zoom creep on worn copies
- Focus ring wear
Buying Guide
One of the best manual zooms. Check for zoom creep by pointing up and down - the barrel shouldn't move on its own. Focus and zoom should be smooth.
Specifications
MountNikon F
Focal Length25-50mm
Max Aperturef/4
Min Aperturef/22
Aperture Blades7
Min Focus0.6m
Filter Size52mm
Weight455g
Optical Design
Formulaother
Elements13
Groups9
CoatingNIC (Nikon)
SpecialCRC (Close Range Correction)
Pricing
£200 - £350
Typical used price
Mint: ~£450
Appreciated by those who know. Prices steady.
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XCanon RFNikon Z
Compatible Cameras
Find This Lens
Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error