Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 D on the D500

[Akira]

Do you happen to have any more images/info about it?

Unfortunately, no.  I found this one image posted as a preview of the item that a familiar camera store is going to sell at the second hand camera show held here in Tokyo later this month.

[Erik Lund]

The whole front with the bayonet for the lens hood is also different, it is moved forward so the front lens group assembly is different!
This is a whole new lens!

I have added the images of original AF and AF-D lenses from Rolands pages to the post from Akira to show the differences.

[Akira]

Thanks Eric.  It is good for the direct comparison.   

[Erik Lund]

Ahhh it's the AF-D front it is different - I'll add that as well but still a lot of differences!

[Akira]

Eric, sorry I had edited my post before you explained the situation.   

The lens in your added image appears to have a protection filter screwed on it: the front "element" looks flat!

[Erik Lund]

Yes you are right! It must be some sort of 'deep' filter that looks like the front is extended, sorry for the confusion.

The name plate ring is simply gone,,,

[Akira]

No worries!  Please leave the image you added as it is nevertheless.

[Erik Lund]

Here is the exploded view of the lens.

The name plate ring is loose, it's in the top right corner, the focus ring parts are top middle, and they need to be a larger diameter and extended maybe from another lens and also machined to remove the feet scale - Quite cleaver! Very nice job:)

[Roland Vink]

The whole front with the bayonet for the lens hood is also different, it is moved forward so the front lens group assembly is different!
This is a whole new lens!

I have added the images of original AF and AF-D lenses from Rolands pages to the post from Akira to show the differences.

Note to self: source better quality images for these lenses (and many others)
I believe the picture of the AF (non D) 35-70 shows a lens with a filter attached to the front, which may be why the front looks different. Otherwise the AF-D version bayonet attachment looks the same...

[FGAng]

I saw a used copy of the "modified" 35-70 sold in Singapore maybe 2 years ago.  My reactions then were: (i) should I buy it? (ii) likely a prototype that was never returned to Nikon.  Needless to say, I didn't buy it and somewhat regretting the inaction.