70-210mm AF... Anyone?

Flugelbinder

Senior Member
Hi. I'm considering buying the "old" 70-210 f:4 (non-D). After doing my reasearch - the reviews are scarce - I'd like to ask here, if anyone has some sort of experience with this lens. Thanks. :)
 

Brian

Senior Member
The were two versions: the 70~210 F4 (fixed across range) and the newer Af-Zoom-Nikkor 70~210 F4~F5.6. The first one was only around for a year or so, was considered "Plasticky". I have the second version, bought with the N8008. It is solidly made, sharp, and has a good close-focus. Goes for cheap these days.
 

Brian

Senior Member
The 70~210 F4 AF lens is basically the optics of the Series E lens in a lot of plastic. It felt cheap, and was not popular. Given the choice, and AF not being fast with the N2020 that the lens was introduced with: most people went for the Series E lens. I preferred the 80~200 F4.5, which can be bought very cheap these days. $20 for the last one I bought, they were $700 new in 1979.
 

Macmagoo

Senior Member
Yes. It is 70-210 F4-F5.6D. If you read the review link that I posted it has all the details about how fast it focuses and how sharp it is.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Yes. It is 70-210 F4-F5.6D. If you read the review link that I posted it has all the details about how fast it focuses and how sharp it is.

Oops...sorry! I was referring to the OP who was looking at the f/4. I don't think he wants an f/4-5.6. Sounds like he wants a zoom that can be used at 200mm with f/4.
 

Flugelbinder

Senior Member
After some more "digging", I've found some more reviews from people who own it, seen some images and it seems like a fantatstic lens, even wide open, across all focal lenghts. Thank you.
 

Brian

Senior Member
Prices on Ebay for the 70~210 F4 (original) are crazy. An unpopular lens quickly taken out of production. The 70~210 F4 Series E is about 1/4th the price, much better build quality, and the same optics. The Series E is AIs. The 80~200 F4 Nikkor Zoom is not much more, under $100. Either of these, and the 70~210 F4~F5.6 also running ~$75 are much better made lenses than the original 70~210 F4. On Ebay, learned to believe anything- but always laugh when unpopular lenses are all of a sudden "Rare and collectible" and 4x what the replacement is going for.
 

rocketman122

Senior Member
It's here... In one word: Fantastic!!! In more words: This might very well be the 70-200 for the "poor"... It's fantastic!!!

Hope you enjoy the lens. I was looking to get a backup lens to my 70-200 VR1 and was looking at this lens for a long time now. I was considering the 80-200 AFD or even the sigma/tamron 70-200 for emergency situations. but since I have the 105 VR the 70-210 would be just fine. how much are they going for? I saw they can be bought for about $170-250. kens review said some have focus issues.

btw why was this lens stopped shortly? seems like a superior lens to the 4-5.6 one.
 
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