The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80mm 1:4-5.6 D lens is a versatile zoom lens designed for use with Nikon's autofocus film and digital SLR cameras. Here are some key details about this lens:

1. Focal Length:

• 35-80mm: The lens offers a moderate zoom range. At the lower end (35mm), it provides a wide-angle view, and at the upper end (80mm), it offers a short telephoto perspective, making it suitable for a variety of photography types, such as portraits, landscapes, and general photography.

2. Aperture:

• Maximum Aperture: f/4-5.6: The aperture range of f/4 at 35mm and f/5.6 at 80mm indicates it is not as fast (wide) as some professional lenses, but it is good for everyday photography in good lighting conditions. The aperture blades are rounded, which helps in producing smooth out-of-focus (bokeh) areas.

3. Autofocus (AF) and "D" designation:

• The "D" designation means the lens is equipped with Nikon's distance encoding technology, which allows for better metering and more accurate exposure calculations when used with compatible cameras.
• The autofocus mechanism in this lens is driven by the camera's autofocus motor, so it will work on cameras that have a built-in autofocus motor. On Nikon cameras that lack this motor (like many entry-level models), autofocus may not function, but manual focus is still available.

4. Compatibility:

• This lens is compatible with both film and digital Nikon cameras with an F-mount.
• On digital SLRs with a DX sensor (APS-C crop sensor), the lens will provide an effective focal length of approximately 52.5mm to 120mm (due to the crop factor of 1.5x).

5. Build Quality:

• The lens is compact and lightweight, weighing around 265 grams (9.35 oz), making it a practical choice for travelers and casual photographers.
• The build is relatively basic, typical for consumer-grade lenses from the era, with plastic construction.

6. Optical Features:

• The lens is not considered to be a high-end lens, but it is known for delivering decent image quality in a variety of conditions.
• While it doesn’t have advanced features like vibration reduction (VR) or image stabilization, it provides a reliable balance of quality and affordability.

7. Minimum Focus Distance:

• The minimum focus distance is about 0.45m (1.5 feet), allowing for reasonably close-up shots, though it’s not ideal for macro photography.

8. Filter Thread:

• The lens uses a 52mm filter thread, which is common and allows for a wide range of filters, including UV, polarizing, or ND filters.

9. Use Cases:

• This lens is great for general-purpose photography, especially for beginners or as a kit lens on older Nikon SLRs.
• It is suitable for capturing landscapes, portraits, and casual photography. However, due to its slower aperture, it may struggle in low-light conditions without a tripod or higher ISO.

Summary:

The Nikon AF Nikkor 35-80mm f/4-5.6 D is a lightweight, flexible lens suitable for casual photographers looking for a reliable zoom lens on a budget. It may not compete with faster, professional lenses in terms of speed or image quality, but for everyday use, it’s an affordable and functional option.