75-150 Nikon E versus otheres?

kawasakiguy37 · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 132

Just picked up a 75-150 series E nikkor and I am really pleased with the optics. However, Ive heard that there are other comparable lenses (made by kiron) that are lighter and smaller. I bought this lens specifically because I wanted something very light and small for hiking use on an FM2 - Any other recommendations?

My current plan was to use this + my 35 2.0 (AF) for outdoors stuff.

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

The Series E 75-150mm f/3.5 has gained something of a cult following among portrait photographers because it incorporates all the most popular focal lengths used for portraits in 35mm photography, because it's a reasonably sharp optic, and because it could often be bought for a reasonable sum. Nikon also made a Nikkor 50-135mm f/3.5, which historically sold for more on the used market, but these days this doesn't seem to apply. It too was very popular for the same reason as the 75-150 series E, but was more sturdily constructed. I don't know dimensions, but it might be a bit smaller.

My listings show a Kiron 70-150mm f/4, but I don't know anything about it. Found a few on eBay. It sure sells for a lot less than the Nikons on eBay.

Vivitar also marketed two different 70-150mm f/3.8s -- one was a two-ring made by Kiron, and the other was a one-touch, made by Tokina. Size wise, it's hard to tell. Like the Kiron, the Vivitars are also quite reasonably priced.

Andrew G. · Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 159 Location: Pennsylvania, USA

kawasakiguy37 · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 132

Ive heard both the Kiron and Vivitar "versions' of the 70-150 dont exhibit zoom creep. However, the kiron is rated 4.09 and the vivitar 3.8. Is this really any different than the 3.5 of the nikon or just marketing?

Also, anyone know if the kiron / vivitar turn in the same direction as the nikons or if they are opposite?

Andrew G. · Joined: 18 Jul 2010 Posts: 159 Location: Pennsylvania, USA

scsambrook · Expire: 2011-11-18

There were all sorts of stories about the Series E 70-150 when it was being made. e.g. Nikon didn't make it (or any of the other E lenses), the first versions without the bright metal 'gripping ring' were inferior to the later ones, and neither of them were any good anyway. But the late Herbert Keppler writing in Modern Photography magazine said it was as good a 70-150 as he'd ever seen. And he'd seen a few.

The Kiron is a bit smaller, but not much lighter. I have one which is somewhat misted up and therefore lacking contrast, but I think a clean one would be excellent. However, I'd prefer the 70-150 Series E for myself.

Minolfan · Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 3439 Location: Netherlands

Tamron 20AB lens 70-150mm 3.5 is a nice rather compact lens IMHO. Close focusing (0.7m). A bit soft wide open, but closing one stop is sufficient to get a good sharpness.

Gurdie · Expire: 2013-02-20

I´ve got both 70-150 E and 50-135/3.5 Nikkor. Both are very good performers, but the 50-135 is much bigger and heavier, 62 mm filter ring.

Here´s some 50-135 samples:
http://forum.mflenses.com/zoom-nikkor-50-135mm-f-3-5-ai-s-samples-t19421.html

f6cvalkyrie · Posted: Mon Dec 20, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject:

Hi,

I think the Series E 75-150 is a good performer, but mine suffers from "zoom creep". And I heard many others also do Embarassed

C U,
Rafael

cooltouch · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 9096 Location: Houston, Texas

I've found many Nikon one-touch zooms to be really bad about zoom creep. My 80-200 f/4.5's zoom/focusig collar shows almost no resistance. Creep? Mine has acceleration! But you know what? It's not a big deal to me. When I need the zoom ring to stay put, I'll use either a wide rubber band or a piece of tape to keep it from moving.

kawasakiguy37 · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 132

Yea Im gonna use the lens mainly for hiking and walk around stuff, so almost all handheld. Zoom creep shouldnt be an issue. I have my 35 and 180 AF primes when I want to eliminate "zoom" creep completely Smile

dof · Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 3:34 am Post subject:

Why not just get a 135mm like the 135/2.8 AIS? It's compact and sharp
and close enough to a 75-150mm focal length +/- one step forward or back.

kawasakiguy37 · Joined: 13 Jul 2010 Posts: 132

Specifically looking for a zoom. I already have three good primes so theyre out of the question. My 105 2.0 does everything I need it to for around that focal length

Russ · Joined: 26 Feb 2007 Posts: 432

You're going to be very pleased with the results from your Nikon E 75-150 (made by Kiron, for Nikon) for Nikon. I prefer the considerably smaller and better built Kiron 70-150 lens. The two are completely different lens designs. However, the Kiron is smaller, better built and every bit as sharp as the Nikon equivalent. The Nikon E 75-150 is known for it's horrendous zoom creep. On a couple of occasions, I've tested them side by side, and upon glassing the negs and slides (10x loupe on light table) and perusing the LARGE prints made with them, I can see no difference in image quality. The Kiron comes with a dedicated lens hood too.

Russ (Kiron Kid)

fatdeeman · Joined: 13 Jun 2009 Posts: 780 Location: UK

I have tried the one-touch Kiron version and the Vivitar made by Kiron, they appear to be the same basic lens underneath.

They are both very sharp but I find the focusing to be incredibly sensitive to the very smallest of adjustments, you really have to be very delicate with your movements to get a sharp image. I'm sure many an unseasoned user will have missed this and just assumed the lenses were soft.

I have also tried the Kiron made, Vivitar branded two-touch version which seemed to be just as sharp and a little bit easier to focus.

papah · Joined: 09 Apr 2009 Posts: 12 Location: Seattle, USA

Here is a fix for the Nikkor 75-150mm zoom creep:
http://photo.net/bboard/uploaded-file?bboard_upload_id=32348784

It's a very sharp lens, and performs very well with the D3 and D3x full-frame cameras.

Arninetyes · Expire: 2013-03-26