Nikkor 70-300mm f:4-5,6 AF-D

 

We could consider it the “ugly duck” of Nikon lens, now discotinued by the new 70-300 VR, but soon we will see that it is not so much. We will analyze the D version and not G. The D has manual aperture ring and metallic bayonet, while the version G does not. It also exists the generalized suspicion that optics, although older, it is better.

It is a zoom that has 13 elements in 9 groups and a 9 petals diaphragm (how those of high quality) what gives a beautiful bokeh and an ED front glass (extra dispersion) that, in theory, it improves the transmission of the light. Their minimum focus distance is of 1,5 meters, what is not so bad. Their aperture goes from the f:4 in the 70mm to the f:5 .6 in the focal maxim of 300mm.

The autofocus is conventional, screw mechanic, and it is not precisely brilliant for its speed. However, you can make very interesting things keeping in mind that is a 105-450mm f:4 -5.6. In the digital format. We will summarize that, in spite of the slowness, the autofocus is faithful and makes its work well.

With regard to sharpness, we can assure that the images are clear enough so that the pictures have quality, mainly if you are not in a hurry and think about the things in advance. Many times, during a portrait digital treatment I have had to unfocus with some lens whose focus is sometimes more sharp than a shaving blade. Moreover, that to women, neither to anybody, likes to be seen until the last shrink hole of their skin.

Let us illustrate what we said with an image:

 

Zoom until 260 or 280 mm f:5 .6, focuses it carefully, maintain it steady without movement, a tripod or monopod or don't breathe until you are blue, and then shoots. You will obtain something very similar to this. Is this the ugly duck?

 

© 2008 Juan Parménides. Derechos Reservados. All Rights Reserved

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