Aspherical Boundaries

In 35m photography, the 70/80mm - 200/210mm zoom is referred to as the standard telephoto zoom. Nikon has released various zoom lenses in this range over the years. The constant aperture pro models are of the most interest:

• 1969 Non-Ai Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5 Single ring push-pull zoom, with full DoF markings. 15 elements in 10 groups. 52mm filters, 880g;

• 1975 Ai Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5 Auto Indexing update to the previous lens;

• 1977 Ai Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5 Optical update. Still single ring push pull, full DoF markings. 12 elements in 9 groups. 52mm filters, 750g;

• 1981 Ai-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/4 The updated model supporting the newer exposure modes. Single ring. Full DoF markings. 13 elements in 9 groups. 62mm filters, 810g;

• 1982 Nikkon Series E 70-210mm f/4 E stands for Economy. This was the most expensive Series E lens. It also featured a macro mode at 70mm. Single ring. Full DoF markings. 13 elements in 9 groups. 62mm filters. 730g;

• 1982 Ai-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 EDThere was actually an earlier version shown at Photokina, but there aren’t may samples of that out in the wild. This update is a stop faster and added a tripod collar. The gold ring also signifies the use of ED glass This is the last manual focus model in this line. Single ring. Full DoF markings. 15 elements in 11 groups. 95mm filter. 1900g;

• 1986 AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-210mm f/4The first auto focus tele-zoom was essentially an autofocus version of the Series E lens. This is also the last f/4 telephoto zoom. It was replaced by a f/4-f/5.6 version. Push pull zoom ring and a slim manual focus ring. 13 elements in 9 groups. 62mm filters. 760g;

• 1988 AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 ED The first auto focus f/2.8 model. Single ring design, no DoF markings (seems the DoF lines died with MF). 16 elements in 11 groups. 77mm filters. 1200g;

• 1992 AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED The D spec update also added a non-rotating front element. Single ring. 16 elements in 11 groups. 77mm filters. 1200g.

• 1996 AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED This update adds the two ring rotating zoom and focus controls. Weight increases a bit to 1300g;

• 1998 AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED Adds the Silent Wave Motor (similar to Canon’s Ultra Sonic Motor) and three focus lock buttons. Two rotating rings. 18 elements in 14 groups. 77m filters. 1850g;

• 2003 AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED This most recent update ads Vibration Reduction (as seem in Canon IS lenses, and the 80-400mm Nikkor) and G spec to the previous AF-S model. The loss of the aperture ring causes the lens to loose compatibility with MF bodies. 21 elements in 15 groups. 77mm filters. 1395g.

As of December 2007, the only feature missing from the current tele-zoom is Nano coating. This anti-reflective coating was first seen on the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, and subsquently applied to the 14-24mm and 24-70mm zooms and the 400mm, 500mm and 600mm VR lenses.

Tags: Nikon, vintage

This entry was posted on Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 16:06 and is filed under The Camera. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.