Review 3 of 35
Price Paid:
$100.00
from allegro.pl Summary: I bought this lens as a bargain on the internet auction (allegro) about a year ago. Wanted to have a medium focal lenght zoom lens with good optics and solid, metal construction - this one was the best choice I have made and still left my pocket with some money! Optically I am very satisfacted with the results, it gives a SHARP, CONTRASTY pictures and natural color tones, especially when stopped down to f/8 or more! It still gives very good results handheld when using ISO400 film. From f/3.5 - 5.6 it is a bit soft, espiecially in the corners and sometimes in the center of a frame but stopped down and no softness is visible! Great choice fot a wildlife photos, portraits (with Nikon A2 filter that is always on my lens it gives really fantastic skin tone and slightly warmed backgroud - looks great to me!) and narrow landscape shots!
Solid metal construction is quite heavy but I do not have to worry about breaking the lens in my photo bag or a backpack. Never use tripoid but suppose to get even better overall results with one! Usually works in AF mode that is a bit slow in my non-D version, but still precise and suitable to my needs (portraits and animals do not need a super-fast focusing, nor do landscape scenes). Focusing ring works smoothly, zooming barrel too (it`s a push-pull zoom lens - shouldn`t need a lot of time to get used to it ; right now seems to me that this type is even better than a standard one). Distortion is acceptable but I try to avoid straight lines as a main motive on my scenes. Flare can be a problem when you get a direct sun into the lens - need to think about it when shooting! I always shoot this lens with a NH-23 Nikon metal lens hood that seems to solve this problem! Balanes very nicely with my N80 and MB16 Battery pack - no reasons to complain about it. Front element rotates while focusing so polarisers can be a bit demanding - personally don`t have a 62mm polariser so far ;)
Overall, it`s a GREAT performing lens with a - let me call it a "sub-pro" quality - very good optics, built with metal and glass which is not very common solution in todays Nikon lens. If you need such a focal lenght, want to get a stunning results and still keep a money in your pocket - this is a MUST! (not so hard to find a second-hand one on an auction as a bargain!). I can recommend it as a second lens in every photo bag!
Strengths: - Optical quality - EXTREMELY SHARP !!!, CONTRASTY and well toned colors (espiecially when stopped down)
- Built quality - very SOLID and DURABLE - metal and glass,
- Good focal lenght for portraits, wildlife and outdoor shooting,
- Great balace with N80 (and similar SLR bodies),
- Still fast aperture, even handheld,
- PRICE and QUALITY - great related to each other!!! Weaknesses: - can be a bit soft below f/5.6
- quite heavy due to metal and glass construction - have to know if you prefer weight or durability
- front element rotating while focusing,
- focusing distance quite big - not a macro lens ...
- needs a fill-in-flash in a dim light conditions, especially with longer focal lenghts Similar Products Used: Nikkor 35-135 f/3.5-4.5., Nikkor 20mm f/2.8D, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D Nikon N80 camera body with MB 16 Baterry Pack, Nikon SB-600 flash Customer Service: Never need one so far ...
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