For D70: 70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Any thoughts about this lens (70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor --
not the lower priced "G" version) for use on Nikon D70? I've got the
kit 17-80mm and am looking for a telephoto zoom. I'm open to
suggestions...

--Jeff

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

kombi45@yahoo.com wrote:

>
> seakayaker wrote:
>
>>Any thoughts about this lens (70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor --
>>not the lower priced "G" version) for use on Nikon D70? I've got the
>>kit 17-80mm and am looking for a telephoto zoom. I'm open to
>>suggestions...
>
>
> Isn't the only difference between the G and ED plastic casing vs. metal
> or some such?
>
The ED has only one ED glass element - and apart from build quality is
apparently similar to the cheaper lens optically. OTOH, the new 55-200
has more ED glass, but is also fairly plastic. I have a 70-210 f4-5.6
D, which is okay - certainly very fast focusing on a D70, but they are a
bit rare now and pricey for what you get. A non-D 70-210 is optically
identical. The older f4 AF 70-210 is supposed to be pretty good, but is
a bit larger to lug around.
It would be nice if Nikon would make a 70-2?? IF(or at least
non-rotating front element) ED SWM DX lens to compliment the 18-70, but
without being as fast and heavy and expensive as the current quality
choices.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"seakayaker" <askme@email.com> wrote in message
news:0j9va1llvsnf1r0sgci8a8cjbcocol6933@4ax.com...
> Any thoughts about this lens (70-300mm f/4-5.6D ED AF Zoom-Nikkor --
> not the lower priced "G" version) for use on Nikon D70? I've got the
> kit 17-80mm and am looking for a telephoto zoom. I'm open to
> suggestions...
>
> --Jeff

Back in the mid '90s I recall using a 70 or 75 - 300 zoom Nikkor lens. It
was physically long compared to the new plastic stuff and I thought it did
rather well for such a lens that is typically soft at the long end.
-S

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 19:07:16 +1200, Frederick wrote:

-snip-
>It would be nice if Nikon would make a 70-2?? IF(or at least
>non-rotating front element) ED SWM DX lens to compliment the 18-70, but
>without being as fast and heavy and expensive as the current quality
>choices.

I agree, Frederick -- an updated quality zoom lens in the moderate
tele ranges would be great, particularly with a nice macro feature,
too. In the mean time I have decided against the 70-300mm and
purchased the 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF. I'll pick it up tomorrow
from KEH (I live in metro Atlanta) so will be able to tell soon if
I've made a wise choice... From reading lots of posts here and
elsewhere it seemed like the best choice as a compliment to the
18-70mm on my D70.

--Jeff

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ken Tough wrote:
> Frederick <nomailplease@nomail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I have a 70-210 f4-5.6
>>D, which is okay - certainly very fast focusing on a D70, but they are a
>>bit rare now and pricey for what you get. A non-D 70-210 is optically
>>identical.
>
>
> I guess mine is non-D. I wouldn't call it fast focussing (and
> certainly nothing on an AF-S) but it does the job and is robust
> yet portable enough for hiking/travelling etc. I'm happy with
> the quality and would only probably move up to 70-200 VR f2.8
> for special purposes (bit bulky), or if a VR f4 was created.
>
I had a D and a non-D. The non-D seemed perhaps a little softer at
210mm, and the D perhaps a little softer at 70mm when I did some test
shots - very little difference though, and probably just lens to lens
variation. 210mm is about my limit with hand held shots at F8, at which
both of these lenses are very sharp.
The D version has a different ratio focus mechanism. The D70, while
probably not having a super fast AF motor, is absolutely miles ahead of
old Nikon non-pro film camera bodies that I have used. The D focuses
from infinity to 4 feet in about 1/2 second - twice as fast as the
non-D. It does make it a very useful lens for catching sport, animals
etc. The down-side is that spinning the front collar that fast is a
very dramatic, noisy and somewhat clunky operation. (I might
disassemble it and add some more grease to the focus threads - an easy
job only requiring removal of six screws - maybe that would quieten it
down somewhat)
As soon as I hear about a new Nikkor, say an 80-200 f4 fixed ED SWM EX
with metal mounts, then my 70-210 D is going on Ebay while the going
remains good - thanks in part to Ken Rockwell. I'm sure I would
absolutely love using the 70-200 VR f2.8, but I would not enjoy the
attention that such large lenses generate, nor carrying it around, nor
the wallet-emptying effect. My entire kit fits in a small and
deliberately scruffy-looking (but immaculately clean inside) camera bag
that is at least 20 years old. It does not look like it contains
several thousand $ worth of equipment, and I like it that way.

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

Ken Tough wrote:

> Frederick <nomail@nomail.com> wrote:
>
>
>>As soon as I hear about a new Nikkor, say an 80-200 f4 fixed ED SWM EX
>
>
> I don't think Nikkor do an "EX" equivalent. (They're all pro :-)
> Is SWM their AF-S? I'd agree, but also hope for the VR too.
>
>
SWM - silent wave motor. I guess same effect as USM etc - quieter,
faster, and a focus ring you can grab to override AF. But apparently
the new 55-200 is SWM but does none of the above except the quiet bit.
EX was a typo - should have been DX. Yes VR would be nice - but I'd
rather Nikon put it in a body.