Nikon 70-210
The zoom range between 70-80mm to 300mm (or slightly longer) is very crowded. This is a very useful range for a long lens that has a lot of utility. I love the Nikon 70-300 but I have to admit, the 70-210 has ridiculous value. It is an older lens that is no longer manufactured, and while faster lenses sell for more than 1000, you can have this lens for less than 100 (I bought one for less than 60 and one for less than 80), which is outright crazy.
Why is this lens so cheap:
- People look at numbers, there are longer lenses out there, 70-300mm is better then 70-210mm
- It is not the fastest lens. f/4.0-5.6 is quite OK for most cases, but you would need to have 4x higher ISO to compete with a f/2.8 lens.
- It is no longer manufactured, it also does not have the latest vibration reduction tricks that newer lenses have. To be fair, vibration reduction helps a lot with long lenses.
But this lens does everything you want from it, and for this price, it is almost a crime not to buy it. Why you should consider it:
- You can get a decent zoom that will serve you well for less than 100
- It weighs a bit more than 600g. Again when comapred to
- Actually when you compare to a popular lens like the Nikon 80-200, having a bit lower low-end (70mm) is a plus
Here is a comparison with some of its rivals
| Focal length | 70-210 | 70-200 | 80-200 | 70-300 | 80-400 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aperture | f/4-5.6 | f/4 | f/2.8 | f/4.5-5.6 | f/4.5-5.6 |
| Weight | 620 | 850 | 1'300 | 750 | 1'500 |
| Cost (used) | <100 | 700 | 400 | 300 | 1'000 |
| Extras | VR | VR | VR, tripod collar |
Versions
- The older manual focus version is constant f/4 throughout the range, it has great control on the focus ring, is probably not so good suited for fast moving things like animals, but works surprisingly well for cities and landscapes
- The autofocus version is f/4-5.6
| Price | Crazy cheap |
|---|---|
| Weight | A bit heavy, 600g |
| Good for | Landscape, animals |
| New or used | No longer manufactured, used you can get it less than 100, I am not kidding |
This is definitely a lens only for full frame cameras. This is a high-end lens, and like me if you end up having access to one, you will be using it
Technically this would work on a APS-C body, but there is hardly any reason for using it. It would work like a 35mm-105mm zoom. Without the wider range, it would be quite limited and even the basic Nikon 18-105 would be more practical for day to day use. The alternative for an APS-C would be the much much cheaper 18-55 which is also way lighter. At 200g the 18-55 is as light as any prime lens and also in the same price class, so it is harder to argue against it. File:Nikon7 210apsc.jpg
Gallery
Comparing the 24-70 to Nikon 24
Comparing the 24-70 to Nikon 24
A Nikon D610 with the 24-70 attached
These pages are for Amateur Photographers and not really for seasoned photographers and professionals. I have no affiliation or commercial interest with any brand/make. I write from my own experience. I ended up using mainly Nikon, so I am more familiar with this brand than others. See price for notes on pricing as well as photography related links.