Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro review

According provided by Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro lens (AF, for Nikon F mount) many thanks to Andrei Petruk.

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro review

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro review

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro is an old film zoom lens with good aperture. The lens was produced under the main popular systems, I got an option for Nikon cameras. Cosina 70-210 / 2.8-4 is a complete analog of the Vivitar Series 1 AF 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4.0 Apochromatic auto focus Zoom (just not to be confused with the model
Vivitar Series 1 AF 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4.0 VMC Macro FocusingZoom).

Key Features of the Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro Lens

Key Features of the Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro Lens

I rarely see lenses with a focal length range of 70-210 mm and maximum aperture F / 2.8-4, usually the more popular combinations are 70 (80) -200 / 2,8 and 70-200 / 4. When using on camera Nikon D80 the aperture could only be opened up to F / 3but on Nikon D700 everything is as expected - F / 2.8. Most likely, this specific behavior of the lens is associated with not the best programming of the lens microprocessor, which I often see on old, and sometimes new lenses from third-party manufacturers.

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro when focusing on MDF and with the longest position of the trunk (210mm)

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro when focusing on MDF and with the longest position of the trunk (210mm)

The zoom ratio is exactly 3 times, and the range itself is very convenient to use, especially for portrait shooting and certain tasks associated with sequential shooting.

The lens has the old piston design - pull on the large rubberized 'piston' ring to change the focal length. Moreover, this is a 'correct' piston lens - the maximum focal length is available when the 'piston' is pushed as far forward as possible. It is a pity that the 'piston' constantly slides down to 210 mm by itself. As the focal length changes, the rear lens moves, drawing in and out air.

In my reviews, I often write about the 'vacuum cleaner effect'. Its intensity level can be checked by eye in the direct meaning of the word. To do this, just bring the lens mount to the eye and zoom. Just do not press hard, otherwise you can injure the eyeball. The human eye is very sensitive to everything, including the air currents coming from the rear lens of the lens, which allows you to 'visually' feel the intensity of the effect. Old school photographers know that some lenses with some cameras can have such a strong vacuuming effect that it can be felt even near the eyepiece. JVI... The rear lens of the objective once again drives air through the inner compartment of the camera, where the mirrors, the focusing system, the shutter and the focusing screen are located, this can sometimes lead to faster clogging of the camera parts. Sometimes the effect of a vacuum cleaner is not so terrible, but of course it is better if it were not there at all.

Cosina 70-210 mm 2.8-4 MC Macro, rear view

Cosina 70-210 mm 2.8-4 MC Macro, rear view

The lens has a 'Full / Limit' focus limiter. In the 'Limit' position, focusing is available from infinity to 7 meters, or from 1.1 meters to 6 meters. Nicely I was surprised that in the 'Limit' position the lens has fast automatic focusing, but in the 'Full' position the time for scrolling the focusing ring by the camera motor from MDF to infinity and back is greatly increased.

Sample picture with maximum magnification

Macro example.

When focusing, the front lens of the objective rotates and moves forward, with such a lens it is problematic to use special light filters: (. The focusing ring is rubberized and rotates 100 degrees in the 'Full' position, 45 degrees in the 'Limit' position.

Also, the lens has a macro mode, which becomes automatically available when using 210 mm focal length. In this position, the focus ring can rotate further than 1.1 meters, its total stroke is 180 degrees, and the maximum magnification ratio is 1: 2.5 X, which is very good for a zoom lens. When the focus ring is in the yellow macro mode, changing the focal length will not work. Auto focus also works in this mode, but its speed is slow.

When used on Nikon D700 the lens definitely falls into focus, but on Nikon D80 focus errors for some reason, just darkness, darkness :(.

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro with a hood

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro with a hood

Auto focusing with Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro lens available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing. An exact and complete list of Nikon CZKs that support auto focus with 'AF' lenses can be found in the 'Auto focus on Nikon cameras'. There is no focus mode switch on the lens; the transition to manual focus and back is carried out by switch on the camera, which is located near the camera mount, on some cameras it is not very convenient.

Устройство aperture consists of all 9 not rounded petals. The lens has aperture control ring (in the photo the ring is easy to recognize by two rows of numbers from F / 2.8 to F / 22). To control the value aperture of any modern Nikon camera automatically, you need to install the ring aperture to position F / 22. If this is not done, the 'fEE' error will appear on the camera display. For more details on the iris control ring, see Non-G Nikon Lenses.

Attention: Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro does not transmit focus distance values into the camera, which may give errors in exposure when shooting with flash in TTL auto modes. For Nikon cameras, the lens is an analog FX, AF, Non-d the lens.

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro with hood in transport mode

Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro with hood in transport mode

Cosina 70-210 / 2.8-4 well assembled. The thread for the filters is metal, like most of the lens housing. The focus ring has a slight backlash. The lens uses a lens hood that can be set both in normal operating condition and in the transport position. In the last state, the lens hood completely blocks access to the focus ring.

View Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MS on ZK

View Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MS on ZK

When sighted in JVI it can be seen that the lens gives off a little yellow-green tint, which may be a problem when using the preset settings BB ('flash', 'cloudy', etc.). Auto white balance easily copes with this drawback, and the output is quite nice color rendering. The lens itself creates a very pleasant picture, but it's a pity that everything is very weak with sharpness at open apertures, and even strongly chromatite. With aperture down to f / 8, sharpness bounces back. In addition, Cosina 70-210 / 2.8-4 does not tolerate backlight well, while significantly losing contrast and filling the picture with sunbeams. Apparently, the vaunted 'MC' (Multi Coating) lettering is not enough for the lens to combat backlight.

Here link to the archive with the originals - 725 MB, 60 photos taken on Nikon D80 и D700.

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.


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The Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro turned out to be a rather weak lens. Of the advantages, it is worth noting the presence of a focus limiter, which allows for fast focusing, as well as a good picture and macro mode.

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

Add a comment: Andrei

 

 

Comments: 14, on the topic: Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro review

  • Dmitry K

    Arkady, have you ever thought about creating your top in different lens nominations? not a vote, but your top. Like “top 5 telephoto cameras for ridiculous money” or top 5 “must have” lenses. All the same, the information on the joyful has already accumulated decently and there is something to choose from, and there is a sensible top only for Soviet fifty dollars and portrait painters. Consider this a personal request)))))

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Yes, sometime it will be necessary to do such a TOP)

    • anonym

      Great idea! must have - generally a wide flight for imagination. For example, must have 3 glasses as such, for example, fixed. 50mm is clear, but what else? 28mm and 135mm? or 35mm and 85mm? and so on. Manuals again. While there is a possibility, I think that everyone should have Jupiter 37A, even though he sold his own. The price is affordable so far, but it differs from Lki only in contrast and lack of autofocus. Everyone should try Zeysik fifty kopecks, quite affordable toys. Only such a TOP will be based on personal perception - like / dislike, subjective, karoch. TTX will be inappropriate here. But this is a blog, they come here to read, look at examples of living. We would like to compare the characteristics - we would go to Wikipedia. Hari krishna everyone))

      • Dmitry K

        Well, I wrote that it wasn’t a voting ballot and meryanie charts should be a personal and very subjective top. In the top Arcadia, I believe a person-my impartiality and competence proved in my opinion completely

  • Kira

    I liked the photo :)

    • DCN

      all the same 2.8))

  • THE

    Not enough in the review of portraits on this glass! I really miss ...

    • DCN

      Cheap penny glass) in the photo with the boy washes beautifully

  • Andrei

    On the D7000, this lens behaves very well, autofocus is rarely mistaken. Aperture working really with f / 3. in nature perfectly replaces the portrait.

  • anonym

    Thanks for the review.

  • Madness scif

    about the effect of the vacuum cleaner - on my d700, the protective lens of the viewfinder was lost. now with a 28-300 G lens - not just a vacuum cleaner, but just a draft)

  • Yaroslav

    Was the previous owner of this lens. To take a normal photo on your d7000, you had to try hard ... It smears the focus (somehow it corrected it with a correction in the camera at -17), then the chromatite is strong, then the soap soap ... But there were still wonderful shots. But after buying the old man nikor 80-200 2.8 mk1 - there was no limit to my joy! ! ! Exceeds him in everything. A small advantage of kosina is weight. Compared to the current 1300g net weight of the lens itself (Nikor 80-200), this glass seems even light))
    By the way, Arkady, you have no reviews of the nikkor 80-200 2.8 mk1 lens and the nikon sb24 flash. If such models are interesting, then I can send them in my free time for review.
    h. s. Thank you so much for the reviews of photographic equipment in which everything is described to the smallest detail in an accessible language!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      If possible, send.

  • Oleg

    Perhaps the best portrait zoom lens. The soft back holds great! The zone of non-sharpness is exactly as it should, without high contrast like Nikon's (I have Nikon).

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