- Stunning optical performance
- almost no distortion
- F/4 from 70-210mm
- build quality

- very slow AF
- relatively big

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!

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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

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.

Similar Products Used:

None

Construction - very heavy duty. There is no equivalent from Nikon today. Canon has a 70-210 f4 for $600-700. Nikon should update this lens. This is A good travel lens without the bulk of the more expensive a newer 80-200. It is the best bargain in my inventory of Nikon lenses.

Yes, it's slow to focus compared to todays AFS, but it still does the job. Not available new today, getting hard to find used. It needs an update!!

I'm not going to give you a lot of technical jargon - just the results. This is the one lens that always goes with me, I'll never sell it. The images, taken with Reala 100, are crisp, clear, and full of vibrant color. It gives very good background blur for outdoor potraits. It can focus fairly closely for a tele-zom - it can almost be used as a macro. Used on my new F100 I have no problems with focus errors, back-focus, or any other problems. Best results are with a tripod.

Customer Service

N/A, haven't had to use.

Similar Products Used:

24, 50, and 85 AF primes; 28-105 AF zoom; 28, 50, 135, 200 AIS primes

Very sharp throughout focal range; Much more bang for the buck than current consumer Nikkors in this focal range; Much more affordable than pro Nikkors in this focal range.

Cold color cast -> desaturated colors

I can sum up this lens in three words: SHARP but COLD. On a sturdy tripod with the aperture stopped down you can zoom out to 210mm and get tack sharp slides. But compared to multi-coated lenses made in more recent years this lens has a distinctly cool color cast. The colors of the slides I have taken with this lens are shifted towards cyan and they just aren't nearly as saturated as they are with my other Nikkors. And I've done plenty of side-by-side comparisons. This effect is more pronounced when using Fujichrome Provia 100F, which has a bluish color palate already. A good polarizer helps, as does using the lens hood (HN-24), but a warming filter would probably do wonders for this lens.

Customer Service

n/a

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AF 35 f/2D Nikkor AF 50 f/1.8D

Very, very good optics, even exellent. Why doesn't Nikon remake it with ED and ASPH, AF-S, VR? With price~$900 it will be extr. hot!

Super zoom mechanism. Constant F4 Sharp from 70-210 Great contrast Aperture ring, so it can be used on manual bodies too.

Many are prone to autofcus errors at a repair charge of $185 from Nikon...test before you buy!

This is an excellent quality lens even at 210mm. sharpness and contrast are far above the 4-5.6. However, beware that there was a batch from Nikon that do not accurately focus on some of the newer AF bodies. Many focus just a little too close at 210mm. Nikon wants over $185 to repair the focus error....that's as much as the lens sells for used!

Customer Service

Nikon's customer service, in my dealings with the autofocus problems, has been terrible...slow, & expensive.

Sharpness, contrast, beauty of every image and nice ''bookeh''.

Old system, slow, annoying sound of AF.

Best of the best zoom, ever produced by Nikon. Better than ANY 80-200, newest or old.( I did not work with 70-200 VR yet )

Customer Service

Never used.

Similar Products Used:

Every Nikon zoom since end of 60-s

Cheap buy, super sharp Nikon optics. Solid construction and mass(750g. Can be controlled from F80, F100 body just like newer lenses accepts 62mm filters.

AF somewhat slower due to long focus ring travel. Some samples have AF errors when used on F80,F100.

This is a one great legendary piece of optics from Nikon. Although not in production since the mid-80's I happened to buy one in mint condition on Ebay. Very well made, outside plastic shell but inside its all metal. Zoom design is 100% internal, but lens extends sligthly when focused. AF speed is a little slow, focus ring has a long travel and rotates about 270 deg. from min. dist to infinity, I heared its not any slower than new 70-300 G lens so its a matter of personal preference. Constant F4.0 is great especially when you compare todays cheap line on entry level variable ampeture Nikon lenses apparently made by Tamron. I could not believe beautiful pictures this lens can produce, very sharp, great contrast. I think its sharper than my 28-105 f3.5-4.5 and 18-35mm 3.5-4.5 Nikons, and I read on other websites its just as sharp as 80-200mm f2.8. Great buy. I may replace it in the future for 80-200 f2.8, I find myself in situations where I need brigther lens.

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 28-85mm(china made$99lens)this lens sucks avoid it. Nikon 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 Nikon 18-35mm 3.5-4.5

Size, compared to the f2.8, sharpness.

Error in AF.

It has been noted that the AF of some of these lenses is not accurate when used with F100 or N80. I happened to get one of these from eBay. I kept it because I thought it was inaccurate only when I tried to focuse very close. Later I learned that it is also inaccurate when focusing on something far away. The MF works, but as many have already noted that the focusing ring is small and situated all the way at the end of the lens, making it difficult to hold. The lens is very sharp, but the color is on the cold/natural side. I wanted to use this to replace the 80-200 f4.5 lens so I compared the two side by side. The color from the good old 80-200 is rich and warm and much to my liking. The 70-210 probably needs a warming filter to achieve the same result, but that will take away the 1/3 stop advantage in speed.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 80-200mm f4.5