(62 views/week)
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Review Date
June 28, 2009
Overall Rating
 5 of 5
Value Rating
 4 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
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Reviewed by
sfpeter
, Intermediate
Price Paid
$120.00
at KEH
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, Outdoor
Summary
This is the great Granddaddy of Nikon's telephoto zooms, being made in 1986-1987. For an old lens it has the notable feature of a constant F4 maximum aperture, which places it between the "Pro" F2.8 zooms and your standard F5.6/6.3 consumer zooms, and this is probably the only lens Nikon has made in this category.
However, it's not a cheap stand-on for a "Pro" zoom as it doesn't have the wicked fast focus of the F2.8 lenses.
In terms of build and quality this is a nice old-school lens, with metal where today's lenses use plastic.
Strengths
Has nice color rendition and sharpness. After comparing many photos with a 80-200mm VR zoom (the closest I had on hand) this one is as sharp at F4 as the other is at F5.6, and past they're about the same. So it's apples and oranges how much better one or the other is.
Evenly spaced zoom ring, which as always makes framing your picture easier. The zoom also rotates smoothly with just the right amount of drag.
Good bokeh and full manual controls.
I'd rate the autofocus speed on my D700 as "acceptable," but most other users consider it slow. I noticed on my D50 it did seem noticeably more sluggish, but it'd take a stopwatch to tell for sure.
Good old metal construction, likely will still be here long after the plastic lenses are gone.
As long as someone doesn't think they're holding a valuable collector's item these are available fairly cheap.
Weaknesses
The focusing elements rotate way out, which makes a problem for a polarizing filter and trying to use it in manual focus.
The hood is all-metal and screws in. Even the Russians at this point were making plastic lens hoods, and I haven't come across a hood cap yet that will fit it. And no, I don't think metal hoods are "extra" protection in an accident, as if it hits hard enough to dent the hood the mounting threads are also likely to get bent.
The focus scale is all the way at the end of the lens, why I don't know.
The autofocus is screw type, so D40 users are out of luck.
Similar Products Used
Over 40 Russian and Nikon lenses.
Customer Service
Haven't used.
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Review Date
May 27, 2009
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
 5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes
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Reviewed by
cadeyrn
, Intermediate
Price Paid
$250.00
at Hungary
Photography Experience
6-10 years
Summary
This is one of the best lenses I've came across. It's full metal and has exceptional build quality, but not as heavy as the 2.8 lenses.
It has a very good macro functionality, although it could be a bit better, but in this range, width this quality, it's OK.
At f4 is it a bit softer, than one or two steps later, but much sharper than the usual lenses at this price.
Nearly everyone mention the slow AF, some even mention AF errors. A would say, that the AF is slow, but compared to a non silent wave motor lens, it's bearable. But there's also a type of lighting, which this lens cannot handle (when the sun has just went down), and sometimes it can be fooled by sunlight reflections.
Strengths
- sharpness
- second-hand price
- build quality
- large zoom grip
- weights a lot less, than a 2.8 lens
- fix f4 (compared to zoom at the same price)
Weaknesses
- slow AF
- possibility of AF errors at some light situation
- rotating front lense
- fix f4 (compare to 2.8...)
- still a bit expensive, even from second hand
Similar Products Used
Sigma 70-300
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Review Date
January 29, 2008
Overall Rating
 4 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 Months to 1 year
Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2 votes
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Reviewed by
caspert79
, Expert
Price Paid
$100.00
at second hand
Photography Experience
2-5 years
, Outdoor
Summary
This is an excellent zoom lens in terms of optical performance and build quality. The lens is very sharp and contrasty, and most remarkably, shows almost no distortion. In fact, the results are almost prime-like. The optical performance is really quite amazing, probably almost on par with the 80-200/2.8.
Biggest drawback is the AF, which is verrrrrry slow. You might prefer to use MF on this lens. Also, some examples of this lens seem to suffer from an AF error (so always test this lens before you buy it).
For slow photographers like me, this is a perfect lens. A lot of bang for your bucks!
Strengths
- Stunning optical performance
- almost no distortion
- F/4 from 70-210mm
- build quality
Weaknesses
- very slow AF
- relatively big
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Review Date
January 4, 2007
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
Less than 1 month
Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes
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Reviewed by
Jeremy
, Professional
Price Paid
$208.00
at eBay
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, People
Summary
It's a good piece of glass. Certainly cheaper than getting the 80-200 f/2.8!
I've done two shoots on my Fuji S2 and it seems to respond just fine with digital. The only real diffrence with this and a D designated lens is... it doesn't "talk" to the SB flashes.
It's great to have a constant f/4 across the board so you don't have to make adjustments when you zoom out further. The distortions are very low and the colors are very flattering.
For about $200.00, you really cannot go wrong with the lens.
Strengths
Constant aperature.
Good zoom range.
Excellent resolve properties and good color.
NOT a push-pull zoom!
Can be had for a great price used... if you get a really clean one.
Weaknesses
It's not entirely a lightweight, but it IS smaller and lighter than the 80-200 f/2.8!
AF is a bit noisy, but do we really care?
MF ring isn't the most conveniently placed or sized.
Do have to refocus when zoomed out, but that's the case of about 99% of the zooms out there.
Similar Products Used
Contax/ Zeiss 80-200mm f/4 (on Contax system)
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 (it IS a fantastic piece of glass, don't get me wrong)
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Review Date
January 11, 2006
Overall Rating
4 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes
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Reviewed by
dale heit
, Intermediate
Price Paid
$250.00
at KEH
Photography Experience
6-10 years
, Outdoor
Summary
I wanted a medium telephoto lens that wasn't to heavy to lug around in the woods. This turned out to be a a great choice. I have used this lens for about 2 years. I always use a tripod and this lens has produced some very sharp images at 13 x 19 prints. Constant f:4. I have not had any focusing errors with my D70. It was manufactured in 1985 therefore its autofocus is slower than the newer lenses. Probably not as good for action shots in autofocus mode. The manuel focus ring is small and way up at the front of the lens. It is a 1:4 macro and coupling that with the digital facter, its great for close-ups (315mm macro) with tremendous working distance. It has a 62mm filter thread compatible with Nikon's 5T and 6T close-up filters. It is not a IF lens so it can be difficult using a polarizer filter. It weighs 27 oz which makes it heavier than the new plastic lenses. This is a well made lens built to last. It seems to render images on the cool side but a slight adjustment in white balance is an easy fix. This lens is appreciating in value as they becoming scarce. Some of the used EX+ / LN are going for $300.00.
Strengths
Very Sharp!
Sharp throughout all focal lengths
Well made - A work horse
Constant f:4
Good bokeh
Less expensive than 70-200mm lens
1:4 macro
62mm threads convenient for close-up filters
Seems to be appreciating in value.
Weaknesses
Rotating front element
Heavier than a Nikon 28-200mm but much lighter than 80/70-200mm f2.8
Could use a tripod mount
Slower autofocus
Similar Products Used
None
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