Nikon 70-210 f/4 AF

Every time I read about this lens the more I want one.


What's the opinion on this lens assuming I can find one?

I had one for a bit before I bought my 85mm f1.8G. Nice value for sure. I bought mine on ebay. Re-sold it there within a few months as I moved on from there.

I've been trolling eBay for the 70-210 f/4 and a couple other classic old school lenses.
Not real crazy about eBay. Hoping the local brick and mortar store comes up with one. Then I can play with it in person.

I saw a 70-210mm f/4 at a local camera store. It was a push/pull design although I'm not sure all 70-210mm f/4 are that way. It was one from a long, long time ago. The push'pull design can suck air inside.

There was an old Nikon 70-210mm f/4-5.6 that was push-pull zoom (about the same era, and it was an inexpensive lens, I have one stored away somewhere), but the f/4 rates considerably above it.

I just bought one on a lark, without really doing my research.
I accidently bought the push,pull version f4...
But for only $46 USD to my door...we will see.
One of my bodies will auto focus with it (I think), if it cooperates.

Well, my $46 lens arrived today!
It does work, although totally manual. There is not even metering with this one. No contacts, no screw focus. Totally old school.

Tons of dust when eyeballing through the lens, as would be expected, due to it's age and push-pull design. From what I have seen in a few test shots, it does not seem to appear in the photos.

It does not seem to be a practical lens. Best for a collector, I would think.
It is VERY heavy, and if you hold the camera/lens by the lens, there is a chance of changing the focus, easily. There is no tripod mount to hold onto.

Here is a link to a Matthew Durr review from 2012:
https://matthewdurrphotography.com/2012/12/22/lens-review-nikon-70-210mm-f4-series-e/

According to Mr. Dunn, this is not a lens to be discounted! I will let you know how it works out.

I was shooting with mine yesterday. It's part of my bargain car camera, D200 stuff.