Favorite Manual Zoom: Nikon Series E 70-210 f/4

[mjkerpan]

Seriously. This has to be just about the greatest 3x Tele-zoom ever created for a manual focus camera, especially for shooting portraits. It sharp (but not TOO sharp) and the background blurs quite nicely. It's also a constant f/4, which is only 1 stop slower than all those super expensive and heavy "pro" zooms that one sees these days.

Here's a sample shot, taken wide open (f/4) at 210mm.

[poilu]

superb shot, look like a painting

[Richard_D]

Impressive. I know the 70-150 ? has a great reputation but this looks very good too.

[parabellumfoto]

Does anybody have any experience with this lens?

Is it any good?

Most reviews I have read speak highly of it. I'm wondering what some you guys on mflenses have to say.

[l9magen]

+1 for info request - I just got one yesterday when a friend at work presented me with a brown leather bag: "Here you go, was cleaning out my Grand-Dad's attic last weekend and thought you'd like this".... aren't some friends wonderful?

In the bag was a perfect Nikon FM, 50/1.8 pancake and this zoom. I'm definitely hanging onto the FM & 50, but am usually not one for zooms.

What little I've managed to dig up on one quick Google search suggests this might be a keeper afterall: this is a good review http://matthewdurrphotography.com/2012/12/22/lens-review-nikon-70-210mm-f4-series-e/) .

If anyone has an opinion, I'd be happy to hear it. As soon as the rain stops, I'll shoot a roll with it to see how it performs and will post some shots when it's developed.[/url]