The 35-70 overposes by 1.5-2 stops in strong backlighting due to flare and loss of contrast. This photo was pulled down two stops from a 14bit NEF, then converted to 48bit TIFF, then to 24bit TIFF for some cloning, and then reduced to JPEG.

Despite overexposing, it is apparent that the lens combined with 14 bit NEF can hold exposure and color at the high end of the dynamic range.