Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 is Nikon's first autofocus telephoto zoom lens.
Main technical characteristics of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4:
Review Instance Name | Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 |
Basic properties |
|
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.
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 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).
The main points you need to know about the Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF lens and their effect on the resulting image.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The lens has a wonderful focus distance scale.
- 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.
- The lens has a standard 62mm filter. I advise you to immediately screw on it protective filter.
- The lens has an aperture with 7 blades. The diaphragm petals are not rounded, and the diaphragm hole creates nuts in the blur zone.
- True to the lens no depth of field indicatorsbut there is a focus correction in the infrared for 70 and 210mm.
- 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.
- 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:
- D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs
- D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6
- Df
- D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90
- D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500
- D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500
- D600, D610, D750, D780
- D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850
- Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro
- Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n
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.
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.
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.
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:
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4, 1986-1987
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4-5.6, 1987-1993
- Nikon AF Nikkor 75-300mm 1:4.5-5.6, 1989-1998
- Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1:4.5-5.6D, 1991-1999
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1:4-5.6D, 1993-2000
- Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 70-180mm 1: 4.5-5.6D ED, 1997-2005
- Nikon AF Nikkor 75-240mm 1:4.5-5.6D, 1999-2000
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6D ED, 1998-2006
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6D, 1998-2006 (?)
- Nikon AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4-5.6G, from 2000 to 2014, black or silver
- Nikon AF S Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED VR IF SWM, from 2006 to 2017
- Nikon AF S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF N Nano Crystal Coat, from 2012 to the present day
- 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.
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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
Good day
I have Nikon D90 for now with kit 18-55. 3,6-5,4 .......
I want to buy something interesting - I drew attention to this lens + constant 4 at zoom.
But is it okay for my D90? I want to buy something more or less good - partly to justify the presence of a screwdriver in the camera) + I want a zoom). But can a new 70-300 take ??? But lead when comparing it will be more interesting this one (the one in the article)?
With d90 it will work fine. The only thing that is, metering with the flash can lie a little, as it is a non-d lens. On a crop of 70-300 with a stub it will sometimes be better.
Arkady, thank you very much for the article. I bought myself this miracle of technology. The first impression of using the D800 is delight. Sharp, great colors.
If possible, send some links to photos from d800.
You can help with the choice)
It is possible to take AF 70-210 / f4 (170ue) and AF 70-300 / 4-5,6G (80ue)
I buy a wife a present to see if she needs such focal or not. And if you like it. then take AF 80-200 / 2,8.
Found a similar question in a neighboring review. Most likely I will take 70-210)
Hello Arkady,
I want to buy something long-focus, sharp, not very bulky from the "old" optics for my Ninon D5100. I like the two available options:
- Nikon 70-210, f4-5,6 (I would like more about him, thanks for the review of his "relative"),
- Tokina 70-210, f4 (or similar) - read rave reviews on lens-club. True, it will still be possible to purchase an adapter with a 4 + 1 contact group.
Could you give a comparison of these two lenses, can you advise something similar to this class and price group?
I don’t know about Tokina, and the Nikon 70-210 / 4-5.6 will not work on the D5100, it does not have a built-in motor, as indicated by the AF marking in the full name of the lens. You need something labeled AF-S.
That is, I meant that autofocus will not work. If you are satisfied with manual focusing, it is quite convenient for 70-210 / 4-5,6.
Eugene, if you get to this page, please tell us what kind of adapter this is 4 + 1. I have AF Tokina 70-210 f4,5 (film era), digital digits do not define it as AF, it can only work manually. Maybe someone else will tell: is it possible to make it work on modern cameras like AF?
Unfortunately you can’t buy a new one. I would like to find an analogue from (used) 11t.r. and up to (new) 17t.r. The equivalent of this Canon EF 70-200mm f / 4L IS USM.
Does Nikon have such a lens? Attracts aperture 4 at all focal lengths.
Nikon has a 70-200mm f / 4G VR in the line, but the price is several times higher ...
Hello, Arkady. Thanks for your reviews. I read them with great interest.
Faced a problem with the Sigma AF 28-300mm lens. Published everything on the site http://zanoza52.livejournal.com/575.html
If you consider it possible, explain to me what I am mistaken.
If this is only at 1.5 meters of focusing, then most likely this is due to the focusing system, a similar effect is described for me here - https://radojuva.com.ua/2013/01/interesting-about-f-number-and-focal-length/. And yet, some lenses have really different focal lengths than stated, for example such Tamron AF 17-50mm f / 2.8 has a real 17-40mm.
Good day, Arkady.
Have you ever worked with a 70-200mm f / 4G ED VR AF-S?
If so, how is it for you?
Is it very different from the one discussed here?
The review casually mentions that it “is no longer a cake,” but what exactly?
Do you plan to review it?
Thank you.
Arkady, Tokina AF 70-210 / 4.5 for Nikon
So I can’t understand what’s on it with autofocus? Have you met him?
Arkady, good time of day, tell me you didn’t have to shoot on sigma af 70-210 / 2.8 apo and how is it compared to this glass to you ?? and then I ordered (b / y) myself Nikor 70-210 f4 and then they offered sigma now I don’t know what to buy
And for Nikon D5000, is it suitable?
No, there will be no autofocus ... ..
Arkady, what do you think is best to buy: this Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF or Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f / 4
Does the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm f / 4 have autofocus?
Good evening! I want to buy a Nikon D7000, but the Kit 18-105 lens is something I don't like. Tell me what is better to take. It is desirable that there is a universal and family photo and landscapes (amateur) price - up to 500 S.
18-105 universal lens, in its class sharper and faster than non-native. If you add a little and take Tamron AF 17-50mm f / 2.8, the picture on the d7000 will be noticeably better, I can’t take it off practically, if this is not a photo hunt)
Hello Arkady
Does it make sense to take this lens for 1800 UAH if in the future I plan to buy a new Nikon 70-300mm f / 4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Nikkor ???
It’s just that now there’s not enough money for a new one, and I really liked the picture, bokeh, colors on your photos made with this Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF Nikkor lens. Just a work of the artist.
Thanks for the reply.
After the review, preobrel. Very pleased! Draws a fairy tale like. I use with the D600. It is sharp from F4. Thank you Arkady!
Hello Arkady. I live in Italy, I found such a lens for 250 € with a 6-month warranty. Is your opinion worth taking? And what defects can be due to which not to buy. Thanks in advance.
For the sake of his picture, definitely worth it!
But, if you have a “younger” camera without a focusing motor in the carcass, it is not effective….
Hello Arkady. I live in Italy, I found such a lens for 250 € with a 6-month warranty. Is your opinion worth taking? And what defects can be due to which not to buy. Thanks in advance. And whether it fits on the D300
Hello Arkady. Thank you for your reviews, I always read them with great interest. I have a question - is there a Nikkor 55-200 VR, is it worth changing to the one indicated in this review. I am suffering with the choice of VR versus the best picture. Nikon D200 camera, there are also 35-70 / 2,8, 105 / 2,5 and others. Thanks in advance for your reply.
Arkady, thanks for the review! Tell me, how does this glass look in comparison with the modern 70-300vr on crop?
How does it look on the camera or what is the difference between lenses. Please be precise with your questions. In fact, these are completely different lenses, if you master the reading of this review and the 70-300 review, you can make a comparison yourself.
Arkady good afternoon.
please tell us your thoughts comparing photographing with nikon 70-210 f4 and nikon 75-300 f4,5-5,6?
I want a telezoom, but since I didn't shoot like that, I get lost in the choice ... for people like me, the focal length always comes first when choosing a telephoto lens, but it's hard to judge how justified it is without experience ..
for now I adhere to variant 70-210, tk. I like portraits more ... in the review there are enough photos in good weather ... and you can immediately see that the option is good! but in the review of 75-300 there are no such photos and it is difficult to judge ..
I want more fr for airplanes, karabliks ...
Thank you
On equivalent diaphragms, 70-210 will be better.
Hello, Arkady! Tell me, I choose a TV set for reporting. Nikon D7000 camera. Introduced 70-210 as one of the options. I used to use a cheap 55-200. Could you briefly compare the focusing speed of this 70-210, the piston 70-210, and the cheap 55-200? I have been looking at 70-300 for a long time, but it is more expensive, so while I'm interested in opinion on 200. Thanks in advance!
The automatic focusing speed of the Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4 is exactly the same as that of the Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 MK2. The 55-200 is available in two models, with and without stabilizer, and both have faster focusing speeds than the 70-210 μ1 and μ2. 70-210 MK3 has a speed higher than that of MK2 and MK1, but it's hard for me to compare with 55-200.
Arkady, please tell me. and will the focus speed of this lens on the D90 and D300 be the same? or is it faster in the D300? Does the bat.unit affect focus speed?
On the D300, the focusing speed will be very fast, it was converted into practice. (I don’t know what it is about, but I also changed it on the AF decal.)
And of the three, 70-210 1: 4, 70-210 1: 4-5,6 or 55-200, which one would you personally choose?
I bought this handsome man! Draws awesome, and small bugs like slow focusing and blurring on the edges are nonsense!
I also thought, and maybe take a “vacuum cleaner” (1: 4-5.6) is still 3 times cheaper, but intuition says don't be redneck ...
Now happy)
Tell me, can anyone come across. I did buy this lens, but without a lens hood. How can I replace my native hood?
Dmitry, there are Chinese copies on ibey http://www.ebay.com/itm/HN-24-62mm-Lens-Hood-for-NIKON-AF-70-210mm-f-4-5-6D-/280281465542?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item414213c2c6
I will order myself as mine is also without a hood, I can take two ...
Thanks for the offer, but I will probably refuse. I think in Ukraine it is cheaper to find. And I also have a bent filter thread, so I need to look for a hood that can be worn on the outside
Arkady, please tell me. and will the focus speed of this lens on the D90 and D300 be the same? or is it faster in the D300? Does the bat.unit affect focus speed?
almost the same, the engine noticeably turns faster only in flagship cars. The booster does not affect the speed of the built-in focus motor.
Arkady, and if you buy it on the D610 for shooting concerts and events in a dynamic light, do you think it will normally or not roll due to the lack of a stub and slow focus?
Does it make sense to take it or not?