View Full Version : Any Nikonians use the Nikon 70-210 D f/4 - 5.6 Lens ?
Getting more confused, the more I read about this lens. Ken Rockwell swears by it, other people are divided & a review site on technical rating of optic quality had it as mediocre.
So has anyone on here ever owned one & give an honest view on it ?
I used to have one Dave.
I'm just trying to confirm which one I had.
I believe there are two versions of the lens.
Catdaddy
09-12-2005, 20:43
Sorry Dave, I've never used one so I can't really comment. From what I've read (mainly courtesy of Rob) though, the 80-200 f2.8 is really sharp... or that lens out of budget?
It's more the weight of the 2.8's that put me off
I do,
to be honest thay arnt great , but at only around the £100 mark brand new what do you expect, lol
i find it perfectly reasonable to use if you dont use the full extent of the zoom power where things tend to get a little soft, however, its far better that not having a lens of that power at all , and you can always trade up in the future as you grow out of it
hope this helps
Mypix
to be honest thay arnt great , but at only around the £100 mark brand new what do you expect, lol
Cheers Mypix. Can I confirm it is the same lens, as the last one went for over £300 s/h on EBAY last night :shock:
I used to have one Dave.
I'm just trying to confirm which one I had.
I believe there are two versions of the lens.
Cheers Matt......& what was your thoughts on the lens ?
Cheers Mypix. Can I confirm it is the same lens, as the last one went for over £300 s/h on EBAY last night :shock:
i may have made a BoBo here:banghead:
i was actually on about my 70-300, not 70-210 , so please ignore me , lol
Mypix:confused:
Dave I don't think the model I had was the 'D' version.
It was donated to me by my dad when I got the Fuji S2, thats probably why I can't remember the model.
It was slow focusing, but that was probably down to the camera.
Results on the one I had were quite good considering (I was still in the learning phase ...basics...).
A Couple of example from about 2 1/2 to 3 years ago.
http://www.mattsphotos.co.uk/TPF/rth.jpg
Fuji S2 Nikkor 70-210 1:4-5.6
f6.7 1/125 ISO400
http://www.mattsphotos.co.uk/TPF/bbl.jpg
Fuji S2 Nikkor 70-210 1:4-5.6
f6.7 1/90 ISO400
http://www.mattsphotos.co.uk/TPF/rthp.jpg
Fuji S2 Nikkor 70-210 1:4-5.6
f6.7 1/125 ISO400
The lens tended to be a little soft, but I didn't understand sweet spots and DoF then.
Cheers Matt, most helpful :)
I'll probably buy one from Jessops at £203 s/h ...see what it's like & then sell on EBAY for the other end of £2nn if I don't like (or change camera ;) ) . Seems everyone on EBAY is adding the Ken Rockwell link which is definitely inflating prices.
is this what ** lookin for ?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikkor-Nikon-AF-70-210mm-70-210-f-4-5-6-Great-Example_W0QQitemZ7569392334QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem
or something newer, it is not the ' G ' version
MyPix
is this what ** lookin for ?
http://http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikkor-Nikon-AF-70-210mm-70-210-f-4-5-6-Great-Example_W0QQitemZ7569392334QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem
or something newer, it is not the ' G ' version
MyPix
link fixed (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikkor-Nikon-AF-70-210mm-70-210-f-4-5-6-Great-Example_W0QQitemZ7569392334QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem) for you
Was after the D model which has improved focusing (3D matrixing or something ?) . Cheapest I have seen on EBAY is £180 for a D model, which had damage to filter end....otherwise around £270-£300 normally
cool
here is a similar lens that has 5 mins left today , 75-240 D 4.5-5.6
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7570062043&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
MyPix
Cheers Mypix...that did go cheap didn't it ?
Specifically after 70-210 based on reviews at Ken Rockwell here (http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/7021056.htm) . Really fancied seeing if what he rants about is true, plus also give me a benchmark for better lenses, at which point I could sell again for minimal / no loss :whistle2:
This is the one I had!!! (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXCELLENT-Nikon-70-210mm-F4-5-6-Autofocus-Zoom-Lens_W0QQitemZ7570712802QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem)
Finishes in just over two and a half hours
Cheers Matt.
After checking difference with D version I've read this :-
"D" means this lens tells the camera the distance to the subject. This helps the matrix meter be more accurate, especially with flash. It's not that big a deal.
The earlier 70 - 210 non-D lens has the same optics
A much more important reason to get the newest D version has nothing to do with the D moniker. It simply is because the gearing is much faster on the D version so it focuses twice as fast.
Fair enough one thinks, should still go for D model....but then I checked completed sales on EBAY & found a staggering difference in price. £65 is the norm price for a non D version.....approx £200 saving on s/h D versions.
For me the speed of focusing is not that big an issue, as a) not using for sports b) it's still faster than some modern lenses & c) I won't be using with flash so "D" is not so important.
I think you've helped me save £200 :) :banana: & makes this lens a bargain ...unless Ken is wrong ;)
Managed to get a "D" version for £149 on fleabay last night......just in time for Silverstone. Now to get 2x adaptor from onestop ....just hope it's a bright day :whistle2:
We use the 80-200 f/2.8 (old one).
We'll be getting this soon:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/details.aspx?countryid=20&languageid=22&prodId=275&catId=121
or this, which I'd actually prefer as I beleive it to superior in optical quality:
http://www.europe-nikon.com/details.aspx?countryid=20&languageid=22&prodId=291&catId=121
I'll post a report as soon as we get them in - should only be a month or so from now.
might want to have a gander at this , 1 hour left.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Nikon-AF-D-80-200-f4-5-f5-6-Zoom-lens_W0QQitemZ7576766204QQcategoryZ3343QQrdZ1QQcmd ZViewItem
i think its all about luck , or lack of it sometimes, i set myself a limit , and stick to it knowing another lens equal or possibly better might be along soon,
when you expecting the lens to turn up, make sure u post some pix asap ,
MyPix
Paid today via Paypal & it's one of these camera shop/dealers on EBAY, so hopefully early next week. Will post some piccies asap. Mr Rockwell better be right, otherwsie it's back on EBAY with link to Rockwells review to ensure a profit ;)
I wouldnt put a huge amount of faith in Mr Rockwell tbh. Should be a good lens ***. :)
LOL. Anyway turned up this morning, in excellent nick, so just got to find some time & good weather to try this baby out
cool,
look forward to seeing some pix,
MyPix
Well today has been crap weather...very dark. So only had chance to play with indoors. This lens focuses very fast ....in most scenarios it appears instant :) Only took a quick snap of dog with D70 in built flash, so not best test, but at least I could have a look on PS.
Full shot reduced in size with no re-sharpening. no processing at all apart from blacking out red eye. Taken at 170mm :-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/djw_666/TPF/FullshotBoxer.jpg
Now 100% crop of nose area......look away if eating your tea ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/djw_666/TPF/100-crop-Boxer.jpg
Exif data below
Camera Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D70
Image Date: 2006:01:07 17:26:47
Flash Used: Yes (Auto, red eye reduction mode, return light detected)
Focal Length: 170.0mm (35mm equivalent: 255mm)
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.0
ISO equiv: 200
Metering Mode: Matrix
Another shot at 210mm, reduced with no processing :-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/djw_666/TPF/Fullshotlego.jpg
Now 10% crop from above shot, again no processing :-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v178/djw_666/TPF/100croplego.jpg
Exif data :-
Camera Make: NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model: NIKON D70
Image Date: 2006:01:07 16:19:01
Flash Used: Yes (Auto, red eye reduction mode, return light detected)
Focal Length: 210.0mm (35mm equivalent: 315mm)
Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO equiv: 200
Metering Mode: Matrix
Hopefully weather will be better for decent test tomorrow. For the moment though intitial impressions are good.....only time will tell :whistle2:
looks like it takes nice pix m8, top lens
MyPix
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