Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D

According provided by Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKII) and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 (MKI, for comparison) lenses are huge thanks to the store www.fotika.com.uawhere you can find a huge number of different used photographic equipment, including given Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D.

Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D

Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D

Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D (MKII) - an updated version of an earlier model Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 (MKI).

Difference between MKII and MKI versions:

  1. The MKI version is older and was produced from 1987 to 1993, the MKII version was produced from 1993 to 2000. It is noteworthy that MKII lenses from the last lots were made in Thailand, while all MKI were made exclusively in Japan. Both of the lenses I visited were made in Japan.
  2. MKI is not able to transmit the focus distance to the camera and is'Non-d'lens (this key difference in functionality). This property is important for accurate exposure when shooting with modern flash units that work in TTL auto modes.
  3. MKI has the usual button for fixing the aperture ring, and on the MKII version there is a special slider. Functionally no big difference.
  4. The case design is slightly different. On MKI, near the diaphragm ring, you can see screws that are not on the MKII version. Also, MKI has a special slot on the focus ring, which is not in the MKII version.
  5. The lenses have different enlightenments. Looking at both lenses side-by-side, in the new version the front lens reflects more in green, while in the old version it reflects more in lilac.
  6. MKII focuses noticeably faster at 70 mm focal length, with 210 mm focusing speed for both lenses is almost the same. Also, it is worth noting that MKII focuses much quieter than MKI, transmission gears from the focus motor may have been redone.
Differences between models Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D review and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 review

Differences between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

Aperture button and its location:

Differences between models Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D review and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 review

Differences between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

Notch on the focus ring:

Differences between models Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D review and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 review

Differences between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

Enlightenment of the front lens (left D-version):

Differences between models Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D review and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 review

Differences in enlightenment between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

Enlightenment of the rear lens (left D-version):

Differences in enlightenment between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Review Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

Differences in enlightenment between Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D and Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6

In general, the MKII image is no different from the first version. Improved enlightenment, however, does not help cope with backlight. You can find all other information on the lens in the review Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 (MKI).

Here link to the archive with the originals - 544 MB, 40 photos in .NEF format (RAW) from the camera  D700 (FX).

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.


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

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Comments: 69, on the topic: Review of Nikon AF Nikkor 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6D

  • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

    Here it is this MK I. This is the one I took from a friend and shot with them. The lens is great. It costs a penny (a friend took him for 60 bucks) I recommend to everyone who wants to try a telephoto camera but does not want to spend money on 2.8 aperture. His picture for portraits is gorgeous. Constructive - myatall. Thanks to Arkady for the reviewer!

    • FOTIKA

      I note about 2.8, if the carcass is more modern (ISO allows you to be tall) then it does not always make sense in those same 2.8. against the background of 80-200 nikon and 70-210 size \ price, 70-210 is in many ways superior to older (dear) brothers.

      • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

        No need to compare aperture 2.8 with aperture 4 or 5.6. Aperture is needed not only to give more light to the frame. In fact, the diaphragm 2.8 also makes a beautiful bokeh, unlike the 4th. And to compare the glass from the review with Nikor 80-200mm f2.8D I do not see the point at all. Different level and price.

        • AM

          Just like that right away - “2.8 also makes boke beautiful, unlike the 4th one” - you can see right away - Expert with a capital letter.

          • fotika

            I support, but I did not write about artistry and other things. lenses in the first place were created for photographing for commercial purposes and not very, about 1 years ago I might have agreed with Alexander Trekhsotkovich, but as practice has shown, even with 10 200 frames you can screw up) and whatever it is, it won’t save curve frame. and again, as practice has shown, people in photographs that look at themselves have no idea what bokeh is (in 2.0% of cases), they blur it (background) by 90 or 5.6, and only sofa analysts see the degree of blur, who shoot a little, read a lot, and believe that the full frame is a god, and the aperture should be 2.8 everywhere !!!

            do not take it to your personal account, but expensive glasses with 1.2-2.8 do not give you professionalism, but only take your money out of your pockets. in the review, Arkady proved that a lens for “pennies” can shoot no worse than 20-200 2.8.

            pps if evidence is needed, I’ll give an overview of 8 lenses with FR from 70 to 400 with apertures from 2.0 at once. so that you understand that it is not glass.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              When discussing, for example, a future wedding, some ask that the background should not be blurred at all, and the most annoying thing is that it is not so simple to do this on the FF, especially when shooting in the TV range.

              • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

                When discussing a wedding, I sign a contract with clients in duplicate, 6 sheets each. In which it is clearly written that the photos will be no worse, no better than in my portfolio (in which almost everything was shot at f2.0 and f2.8) and no client has ever told me why you washed out the trash can and cans in the back background? "

            • AM

              Yes, the point is not even that 2,8 is not a guarantee of a good shot - I mean that 2,8 is not even a guarantee of a beautiful bokeh, because bokeh is a combination of distances - photographer-object-background + focal length + the nature of the background itself + drawing lens; and to say that 2,8 will give a good bokeh anyway, this is the height of illiteracy. There are many lenses that with a small aperture cover give a more pleasant blur outside of depth of field than at maximum open, all other things being equal.

          • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

            And you at all do not distinguish the picture taken in the SAME AND THE SAME CONDITIONS with different apertures for example 2.8 versus 4 ??? As for me, bokeh at 2.8 in the same conditions will be more interesting than at 4. And here you seem to be an expert with a capital letter. And a full frame is not a god, I shoot with an ancient KROP. But to compare glass for 60 bucks with glass for 800 bucks and say that what is over 60 is better, it already smacks of "professionalism". No offense. Arkady sorry for talking out of topic. But my head boils when the "pros" write this here. Probably glasses with apertures of 2.0 and 2.8 were invented for fools, because the “pros” under the nickname fotika are satisfied with the 4th aperture.

            • fotika

              since the words do not take to your personal account do not mean anything, I think the debate can be finished.

              • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

                Yes, I do not accept on a personal account, I generally NEVER counted anyone's opinion and will not reckon with it. It just annoys me when a person writes outright nonsense. Here is how you think if in this photo the background were not blurry but clear http://www.pekarskas.com/#!untitled/zoom/c1u2e/image1qib would she get better ??? Provided that customers liked it. Personally, I think that if the fountain in the background were sharp, then the attention from the emotions of people would go to the fountain and the background. And with aperture 2.8, I highlighted only people and their laughter, which I could not do on f4. I do not want to swear, I just express my PERSONAL opinion.

            • Arkady Shapoval

              Bokeh and the intensity of the foreground / background blur are different things. For example, take 300/4 and some 105 / 2,8 and look where the bokeh will be better. Everything is relative, and Alexander, I have repeatedly warned not to deal with the flame on Radozhiv.

              • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

                Sorry Arkady for writing so much. But according to your message fotika is not a flame? I believe that both his and my messages are from the same berry field. I'm not the only one here) I hope for your understanding. And it is clear from the correspondence that it was not I who started “this”.
                About what the background blur depends on, I also know:
                - from background remoteness
                - from aperture
                - from the focal length of the lens
                -from matrix size
                I read a lot of books about photography, and I do it professionally, that is, I don’t troll from the couch, I work as a photographer and I write everything that I write exclusively from experience.
                And it annoys me when “this” is charged.
                Anyone who loves to read such "practical" advice from fotika and go to a wedding on a whale 18-55mm to shoot, he will say, but… uh, the diaphragm does not affect anything! And then he will get stuck when he realizes what's what. It will stick possibly on money or on the fist of the newlyweds.

              • Arkady Shapoval

                Ayanami crying with bloody tears.

              • anonym

                RAY SING THIS 300tku nafig! and how you are ordered with an agreement for 6 tunes about banks and garbage bins

              • Arkady Shapoval

                Calm, comrades, only calm.

              • fotika

                there is a good phrase, only the defeated is nervous and bully)))
                moreover, a person made it clear that he never considered anyone, why then read reviews and write comments.

                ps well, people who think about shooting will not have cans, waste bins and other things in the frame))) if we offended you with something, then forgive us stupid and not experienced. we will no longer give Arkady bad and dark optics for reviews, otherwise all banks will not be smeared)))

              • AM

                Given the lack of a precise definition of "bokeh" as a term and the lack of an analogue in Russian, I cannot agree with you. Moreover, it is impossible to say which lens has better bokeh - this is very subjective (of course, if you do not take very extreme cases when comparing the “dark” 18-55 and the fixed with / 1,4). What you call the degree of blur is referred to by many photographers as cream bokeh - it's easier to get it with tele-lenses, Hollywood bokeh with circles is easier to get with a fast lens.

            • Lynx

              a person-trehsotkovich, for a person who “never reckons with someone else’s opinion” you somehow get too excited, proving to everyone and everything that you do not reckon with them and showing your personal opinion. )))

              • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

                All men. I got it. I am silent. You are all right, but I am wrong. Your took. I'm just an amateur) I'm a sofa photographer))) I am silent. I am silent.

            • Vladislav Gavrilyuk

              in general, I will support trehsotovich - but a little not because.
              no need to align 2.8 and 4 (5.6), not because of only bokeh.
              a more open hole allows you not only to get more light, not only to paint bokeh but also -
              a) select (or separate) objects that do not differ significantly in their position from the plane of other objects.
              b) soften everything - no need to throw tomatoes * sharpness is our everything * - compare the skin in a woman's portrait (raw material) by 5.6 and 2. 2 - it will be a few times more pleasant.

              • Jackie

                I won’t throw the tomato, but, IMHO, for the female skin of Imagenomic Portraiture in Lightroom, you can use it with post-processing with much greater effectiveness.

        • fotika

          and in pursuit, for example, there are fifty fifty 50 which give nicer bokeh than 2.0 50.

          bokeh forms the shape of the petals, not the size of the hole.

          if I’m wrong, then correct)))

          • Arkady Shapoval

            well, in general - the optical scheme, the petals - this is already secondary, they do not affect the open one.

            • fotika

              Well, I mean fifty dollars, for example, sandwiched to 2.8.

            • fotika

              Well, about the open ones I am aware of)))) I did not correctly express myself initially)

    • Vladislav Gavrilyuk

      "Portrait of a woman (raw)",
      Of course I don’t give raw photos to anyone, but here we are engaged in sofa analytics, this is also an argument))

  • Jury

    The lens is interesting, it is strange that the "circular saw" gives at F10. It's a pity that we have no offers for 60 bucks :)

  • Andrii

    Your photo, Arkadiyu, with a leather post, set all the colors. Kindly, with the growth of the site, growth and author's master;)

    • THE

      You are funny, Arkady in his reviews never tries to show his professionalism. These photos show only the capabilities of the lens, but not the correctness of the photo (even by the rules). I note that in older reviews, photographs are much more interesting. And if you want to see the author’s skill, use his website (please do not confuse with the forum).

      • Andrii

        In any vipad on the basis of photos robimo visnovka about photographic technology. It’s surprisingly, I’ll sit for years at a sham and a frame for a blog, I won’t, but I don’t show my professionalism. The bar is all worth it and reach a high level. I think that the author is still working on the automatic ... About “gratuitously” - Arkady Razumny Cholovik and the project has long been commercial and to bring his own devidendy. For yomu dodatkovy respect) Success in tsіkavіy spravі!

        • Arkady Shapoval

          As for dividends, Radozhivka moved to a new hosting for weeks, costing 50 euros per month, the income from advertising, which is practically not on the site, just compensates for the hosting costs, so do not think that Radozhivka makes millions on reviews of the legendary “MC Cimko”: )

          • Andrii

            Є speech important for pennies: your reputation, your design, any additional site. I want to ask your kitchen, I’ll ask you, I’m probably re-opening mezh.

  • anonym

    we are looking at the lens, and not at Arkady's ability to shoot, to conduct so many reviews, I think he’s not tired of all that much ... probably it’s hard to surprise a person with something, either with glass or with comments ...
    and so he’s done, writes and writes, does a very useful thing for us, and for free

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Well, for the reviews, I’m really shooting a simpler reportage to feel the lens.

  • Yarkiya

    All the same, I could not stand it and bought on Ibei for $ 150 70-210, just not the same as in the review, but which f4. Here he is on the site too. I fully confirm that the lens is simply magnificent. I don't care that the focus is not very fast and buzzes loudly, but the picture from 1986 is magical. Previously, I could not get enough of portraits with a 105 mm micro 2.8 Af-s vr, but now 70-210 pressed it.
    I highly recommend who do not mind a couple of hundred bucks.

    • Alexander Trekhsotkovich

      Congratulations on your good purchase. Good shots.

  • anonym

    And where is the pig's squeal, foam at the mouth, Bonapartism, Mr. Fourth Diaphragm?

    • FOTIKA

      that I think it’s enough to collect agro already) did not understand each other initially. why kindle a war)))

  • THE

    The instigators REY kneels and punishes just mercilessly, for your information.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Oh, by the way, about Ray you can flame as much as you like :) this is an exception)

  • Vitaliy U

    FOTIKA, greetings from Nikolaev! Regarding this glass: it fulfills its mission of a budget portraitist with a bang. It had 70-210 f 4, I did not notice a radical difference in the picture, compared to 70-210 f4-5.6 (at which f 4 remains practically up to 135 mm), but in terms of size and weight, the difference is noticeable. At the long end, on the open, it lathers, of course, but this is a common defect in more expensive devices. Solid, old glass!

  • Andrei

    What is optically better for portraits?
    This one or the Vivitar Series 1 70-210mm 1: 3.5?

    And if you compare them, what are the advantages of this or that? (besides the manual focus Vivitar)

  • anonym

    here I look all obsessed with holes. it’s not a camera or a hole that shoots, but a photographer. polemics can be finished. You can take a magnificent photo with an ordinary whale lens with a small hole. but again the photographer takes a picture, not a camera.

    • Alexander Malyaev

      And where does the hole? If with regard to Nikon 70-210 f / 4 and f / 4-5.6, then if we ignore the picture and the hole, for example, the way of zooming became the decisive factor for me.

  • Vladimir

    What do you recommend taking in an appendage to 50 mm, this lens or something like 35-135 for crop? (Portrait shooting)

    • Peter Sh.

      Vladimir, Nikon 35-135 is one of the worst native lenses. I am not inclined to scold them at all, but he is generally very sad.
      For portraits on crop, any TV set is suitable. Whale 55-200 for crop will be better than this, it seems to me. If you want to blur the background to zero, then you need a fast fix.

      • Vadim Ogolyar

        55-200 terrible glass.

    • BB

      Jup-37, for example :)

    • Star boring. Igor

      Nikon 70-210 f / 4

  • Vladimir

    To Peter Sh. Fix is ​​available, a whale 55-200 once bought, when it was still worth 900 UAH, but I was safely gouged it when they robbed the apartment, so not very good memories are associated with it))
    Regarding this lens, it doesn’t seem worse to me than 55-200, the reviews in the comments are normal and on YouTube too, but I'm interested in the problem with dust
    There was still an idea to take a 70-300 sigma, but I think such a big focal point will be worthless

    • Peter Sh.

      The effect of a vacuum cleaner will be in all zooms, except for prof. class, type double ring 80-200 f / 2.8.
      In general, if you don’t shoot thousands of frames every day, you don’t need to be afraid of dust, you just have to blow it off.

      This lens is very good, I have it. Take it, you will not regret it. I use it constantly, it sucks in so much dust.
      The main thing is that it should be “D”, because it has a new focusing system, while it was faster than all other Nikon telezoom.

    • Peter Sh.

      By the way, on the crop, this lens just perfectly serves as 150-300mm on the FF, when there is enough light. I only use it on Crop as a TV set and use it.

  • Vladimir

    The lens is very suitable, if possible, I recommend taking it.

  • Pavlo

    Recently. zabdyaki tsy statty that look around Rockwell adding such an object at the camp of the "new". Fairness is good, good quality for a penny. The plasticity of the baby and the bokeh are even more garnie. Especially happy for the middle end. Naygirshі ask at the end 200 ... 210mm ... it is important to achieve a clear picture, especially the architecture. 70mm. at diaphragm. 4.2 even better results. Controve light trimak garno, HA not viyaviv. Є The food, the front part (that is ruffled when focusing) is moving, when walking with the blend, it seems to collapse, why is it so special, why did everything spin out? Dyakuyu for the site and look around.

  • Andrei

    Please help me make a choice which is better to purchase such a lens as in the review or Nikon Series E 70-210 mm f / 4
    I want to use mainly for portraits, I understand that in the second there will be no autofocus.

    • anonym

      існує 70-210mm. f4. Some kind of autofocus through the spin.

  • Andrei

    I know just the price of these two approximate sp_vpadaє and autofocus 70-210 f4 is more expensive than half and half the better optical characteristics are more beautiful?

    • anonym

      for portraits more beautifully 70-210 f4 I think in the new art bokeh і dirka krascha.- steel rozmіr (looking around ого here on the site)
      for zyomok on a sleepy day, like travel zoom 70-210 f4.5-5.6 "D" garniy baby, in a small compact rosemary.

  • ROOMFO

    Please tell me, is it worth buying such a lens on the nikon d5200 crop? who used it on crop?

    • Jury

      autofocus will not be at 5200

  • Rinaldo

    I got such a lens almost for nothing, not the D version. The problem is somewhere from 135 to 210 mm, a very soapy picture. On the D7000, the F80 is much soapy on the film. What could be the problem? I didn’t drop it, I don’t know. Maybe this is the case. And is it possible fix? Thank you all in advance.

  • Edgardo

    Como siempre es un placer leer sus comentarios y sus apreciaciones sobre cada objetivo fotográfico.
    Fotografias de muestras excelentes. ¡Muchas gracias!

  • Denis

    Arkady, what is the size of the filter for these lenses?
    Please tell me, good afternoon

    • Michael

      62 like the old one. The review indicates

  • Valery

    I choose on the Nikon d7000 between Nikon 70-210 4-5.6D and Sigma 70-300 APO DG, is there a big difference? Which advise?

  • Nicholas

    Hello! I had this for 5 years and was pleased with the picture like a boa constrictor! But something happened to the giblets, the master said, that’s it, Bobby is dead! It is impossible to resuscitate! It's a pity... Tell me, will Nikon 55-300 be a replacement!? How is he as a portrait painter?

    • Victor

      That one was full frame, this one is not. If you shoot with a cropped lens, there won’t be much difference, and the stabilizer won’t be superfluous.

  • Nicholas

    Hello Victor! I'm interested in how portraits turn out on Nikon 55-300, comparable to 70-210?

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