Review Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 is Nikon's first autofocus telephoto zoom lens.

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Main technical characteristics of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4:

Review Instance Name Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4
Basic properties
  • FX (for Nikon FX) - lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • AF (Auto Focus) - automatic focusing due to the camera motor
  • Non-d (Non distance) - without transferring the focusing distance to the camera
  • Non-g (Non-gelded) - the presence of the aperture control ring
  • NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) - special integrated enlightenment of optics
  • Internal zoom with fixed rear lens
  • Constant maximum relative aperture of 1: 4 over the entire range of focal lengths
Front Filter Diameter 62 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length 70-210 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 105-315 mm
Zoom ratio 3 x
Designed by for Nikon film cameras
Number of aperture blades 7 straight (not rounded) petals
Tags a window with a focusing distance in meters and feet, focal lengths for 70, 85, 100, 135, 210 mm, marks for aperture values ​​f / 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22. Tags for 70 and 210 mm focal length to work in the infrared spectrum.
Diaphragm From F / 4 to F / 32 over the entire range of focal lengths. The lens has an aperture ring (Non-G - lens type)
MDF 1.1 m, maximum magnification ratio 1: 3.9
The weight 760 g
Optical design 13 elements in 9 groups. Optics has NIC enlightenment.

Optical design Nikon Lens Series E Zoom 70-210mm 1: 4.

The image of the optical circuit is clickable.

The optical design is identical to the lens. Nikon Lens Series E Zoom 70-210mm 1: 4 (I did not find a diagram from the AF version)

Lens hood Nikon NH-24
Manufacturer country MADE In Japan (Japan)
Period From September 1986 to April 1987 (lenses were produced for only 8 months). In August 1987, a replacement addition came out in the form of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6.
Price Prices for modern Nikon Nikkor telephoto lenses are available look at this link

The first thing that catches your eye is the interesting lens design. When changing the range of focal lengths, the lens does not move anything. The lens looks solid on the camera.

The design is austere, the whole body is made in black with white markings. Only the minimum aperture value and the aperture lock button are orange.

Sony has a similar lens - Minolta 70-210 / 4, which is called "beer can" due to the similarity of the lens and aluminum can. Since the Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF has the same specifications, it is sometimes also called "beer can".

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF is valued as a great portrait lens. Indeed, after a series of shots, you begin to appreciate his unique design and amazing picture. And Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF is very compact (as for a telephoto) and not at all heavy. My Nikon 70-300mm 4.5-5.6 much more bulky and slow due to the fact that his trunk is lengthening. For lovers of faster aperture optics Note: Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF is darker Nikon 80-200 just 1 stop (2 times).

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

The main points you need to know about the Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF lens and their effect on the resulting image.

  1. The lens from the film cameras, and this gives the ability to use it on full-frame cameras Nikon Most likely, if you are configured to use or already use this lens, then when switching to a full frame by type Nikon D800, D3s etc., the lens can prove itself in all its glory.
  2. When used on Nikon DX APS-C cameras, the viewing angle will be narrower. The viewing angle will be equivalent to the viewing angle of a focal length lens 105-315mm when used on film cameras and / or in full frame. On my Nikon D90 и Nikon D200 the lens turns into a decent telephoto, and a rather large aperture allows you to do just great portraits.
  3. At the lens general aperture. This is indicated in the lens name as F / 4. This means that no matter how cool the zoom is from 70 to 210mm, and aperture will be permanent. This makes the lens look like its colleagues from the professional lineup. The most important thing is that already with F / 4.0 the lens is completely 'working' in terms of creating sharp photos.
  4. At the lens internal zoom. Internal zoom. When zooming, the lens does not extend its trunk - this is also an important professional feature of the lens. The zoom at the lens is exactly three times. There is a popular belief in what people do good zoom with a magnification of more than three - impossible due to physical factors.
  5. When focusing, the front element both moves and moves forward. Leaves somewhere by 3cm. This is inconvenient for manual focusing and for the use of some filters (especially polarizing and gradient). With manual focusing, the focus ring rotates 180 degrees, this can be easily checked by a small groove in the ribbed ring of the focus. Auto Focus Slow.
  6. The lens has a wonderful focus distance scale.
  7. The lens has aperture control ring, it is necessary for old film cameras and a useful thing when used, for example, with other systems. If you need the usual automatic iris control, then rotate the ring to F32where it clicks itself. The diaphragm \ diaphragm control is made in the form of a button, and not a moving slider.
  8. The lens has a standard 62mm filter. I advise you to immediately screw on it protective filter.
  9. The lens has an aperture with 7 blades. The diaphragm petals are not rounded, and the diaphragm hole creates nuts in the blur zone.
  10. True to the lens no depth of field indicatorsbut there is a focus correction in the infrared for 70 and 210mm.
  11. Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF very well shot, without backlash. With its 760g of weight, it is very convenient to consider my cameras Nikon D200, D700but on Nikon D80 it is no longer so convenient to control the lens, since it takes the bulk of the camera-lens bundle onto itself.
  12. This is one of the few lenses with zoom and focus. the rear lens group does not move... This will prevent the camera from sucking in dust, and in general - just a nice little thing.

It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:

Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:

Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.

You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Thoughts on the Nikon 70-210 mm f 4 AF:

The lens has a very small minimum focusing distance, you can take pictures of a completely normal macro with 210 mm 1: 4 magnification. The lens is not of the D type, because the camera will not know about the focusing distance to the object, maybe it will not be convenient for someone to work with the flash with this lens, but I did not personally feel the serious difference between D and none D. Lens focusing slow. Yes, the Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF has really slow focusing, the camera buzzes and twists the focuser for a very long time with its motor. When focusing, a rather strong and unpleasant sound is produced.

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

About image quality:

The lens is almost completely devoid of distortion. The lens is sharp enough already with a full f / 4.0 aperture. Significant open diaphragm chromatic aberration, including strong friringo. The color reproduction is excellent, although they say that due to the old NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) enlightenment, the lens can distort colors a little.

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

Sample photos on Nikon 70-210 mm f 4 AF

More examples of photos on this lens can be seen with me here, here, here, here и here. My wedding (the one where I was the groom, not wedding photographer) was shot on Nikon D610 + Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4.

After about 1986 years passed from 2012 to 26, Nikon came to its senses and released Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat. But this is not the original 70-210 / 4, but still 70-200 / 4.

The only weakness of the lens is poor coping with backlight - the lens starts to catch hares and lose contrast. Perhaps a hood would help with this ailment. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised that a lens even at 30 meters can separate the background from the subject in the field of focus. Vignetting on crop is minimal, but at 210mm 4.0 it is still slightly noticeable. The bokeh of the lens is excellent, I'll even write “amazing”.

All Original Similar Nikon FX Telephoto Lenses

Below is a list of all Nikon Nikkor telephoto lenses without high aperture and with auto focus support:

  1. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4, 1986-1987
  2. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4-5.6, 1987-1993
  3. Nikon AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:4.5-5.6, 1989-1998
  4. Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:4.5-5.6D, 1991-1999
  5. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4-5.6D, 1993-2000
  6. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 70-180mm 1: 4.5-5.6D ED, 1997-2005
  7. Nikon AF Nikkor 75-240mm 1:4.5-5.6D, 1999-2000
  8. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6D ED, 1998-2006
  9. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6D, 1998-2006 (?)
  10. Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G, from 2000 to 2014, black or silver
  11. Nikon AF S Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED VR IF SWM, from 2006 to 2017
  12. Nikon AF S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat, from 2012 to the present day
  13. Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6E VR ED, 2017 to present

The names of the lenses are indicated according to their spelling on the case.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Hack and predictor Aviator:

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 is a great telephoto lens with interesting characteristics. One of the few lenses that you can safely recommend as a portrait zoom lens. It has an excellent drawing, small dimensions and low price. If you are in the throes of choosing a zoom portrait, take Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 you won’t be mistaken, just remember that autofocus will only be on older Nikon cameras.

See also the review of a modern similar lens Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Save

Save

Add a comment: Novel

 

 

Comments: 299, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4

  • Alexander

    Hello! I can't decide between this instance and the 80-200 f / 2.8
    Is there a big difference in quality and in terms of autofocus?

    • Alexey

      80-200 2.8 is a legend. that's all))

      • Alexander

        I got it))) thanks for the answer)

  • Ilya

    Hello Arkady. I am satisfied with this lens in conjunction with the D750. Can you recommend a teleconverter for this lens.

  • Ilya

    Hello Arkady. You have a good website. Thanks to him, I purchased this lens. I am satisfied with the lens in conjunction with the D750. Can you recommend a teleconverter for this lens.

  • Novel

    Thanks for the reviews, you have a great site! Tell me which glass will give the best picture: this Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 or the manual Ai-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 4?
    I shoot with Nikon F3 and Nikon D750. Mostly landscapes. The 80-200 is confused by the trombone design and the sagging of the zoom ring under its own weight.

  • SLOWLY

    Several examples from this glass.

  • SLOWLY

    A few more examples from this glass.

  • SLOWLY

    And another example from this glass.

    • SVA

      D300 and 70-210 / 4. ISO 1250, f5, 1/160

  • Leon

    Thank you, Pavel. Share your thoughts. For photography I choose a lens on the D90. For starters, Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4-5.6G, or still Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4? Thank you.

    • B. R. P.

      70-210mm for portraits is better. 70-300mm, only the one with a stub is desirable. True, 300mm may not be enough, even on a crop. It depends on whom you will hunt.

      • Leon

        Thank you, hunting objects, hares, foxes, badgers, beavers and birds, swamps and forests. I chose the 70-300 “screwdriver” as the first telephoto camera. True without VR. (

        • Novel

          VR helps, of course, but for fidgety purposes the shutter speed will still need to be reduced by raising the ISO. Well, or look for well-lit areas.

  • Alexey

    Hello Arkady. I have a D700 and. 80-200, 2,8. acquired this summer. Naturally I tested it as I could and took it on orders. The quality is awesome, but there is a development problem. Even at aperture of 10, the depth of field may not be enough. I noted for myself that it can only be taken for performances in one row. It is not quite suitable for reporting. Therefore, I decided to duplicate this lens for reporting with something less aperture. And my eye was attracted by 70-210 f4 which is in the review. I think that a lower aperture lens will give me less of a problem for reporting. What do you think about that?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      That 80-200 at f10, that 70-210 at f10 will give the same grip

    • Victor

      Buy in addition to 80-200 14-24 in addition, there you will not have problems with depth of field ^ _ ^

      • Maria Bardina

        14-24, in my opinion, is too much, it's not a landscape. IMHO, 24 mm is already quite good at moving the picture away without significant distortion.

    • Aleksey68

      Is this shooting that 80-200 is not suitable for reporting? just fine, you can separate something / someone important from the garbage in the background. sports, concerts, parties - anything at 80-200 is great to shoot.

      • Maria Bardina

        So depending on what reports. Sports competitions, where 1-2 athletes should be in focus, or a speaker at a rally, of course, it is more convenient to shoot from a telephoto camera. And if there is some kind of gathering of comrades, then it is clear that 80 mm will no longer cover them, you obviously cannot line them up in one line, 80 is essentially the same telephoto. Ideally, of course, walk with two carcasses, 24-70 and 70-200, for each specific case.

  • Victor

    Maria,

  • Alexey

    I bought a non-autofocus Nikon E 70-70 f210 for 4 bucks, nowhere can I find any information about it, Anyone can tell you what kind of “E” series?

  • Alexander

    good afternoon
    I am the owner of this lens. When shooting on the d300s and d610, the red tint predominates in the pictures, especially on the skin. Is this a problem with my lens or is the curvature of the hands in the camera settings when shooting?

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2011/12/nikon-70-210-mm-f-4-af-review/?replytocom=404552

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2011/12/nikon-70-210-mm-f-4-af-review/?replytocom=404552