AF Nikkor 70–210 f/4
Mit dem TOKINA 28-70 ATX-Pro in Marokko
The AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 is one of Nikon’s earliest autofocus telephoto zoom lenses. In this article I take a closer look at its design, handling and optical performance, illustrated with photographs I took on Ilford Delta 3200 using a Nikon F4.
In 1986 Nikon entered the autofocus era with the introduction of the Nikon F-501 (N2020), its first autofocus SLR. At the same time the company presented a small but carefully chosen lineup of AF lenses designed to establish the new system. Among them were:
• AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8
• AF Nikkor 35mm f/2
• AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
• AF Nikkor 35–70mm f/3.3–4.5
• AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4
These early autofocus lenses relied on Nikon’s screw-drive autofocus system, in which the focusing motor is located inside the camera body and drives the lens via a mechanical coupling.
The AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4, introduced in the same year, formed the telephoto counterpart within this initial AF lens family. Although it remained in Nikon’s lineup for only a relatively brief period, the lens occupies an interesting position in Nikon’s optical history.
Already in 1987 Nikon introduced two successors aimed at different segments of the market: the lighter and more affordable AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4–5.6, and the professional AF Nikkor 80–200mm f/2.8, which would go on to become one of Nikon’s most celebrated telephoto zoom lenses.
Design and Construction
The AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 traces its lineage directly to the Nikon Series E 70–210mm f/4, introduced in 1981 as part of Nikon’s budget-oriented Series E lineup. While the Series E version was intended as an affordable alternative within the manual-focus system, the autofocus successor retained much of its optical heritage.
Indeed, the AF version employs essentially the same 13-element optical formula arranged in nine groups as its predecessor. One significant mechanical change, however, was the transition from the earlier push-pull zoom mechanism to a conventional rotating zoom ring, allowing for more precise and controlled operation.
A defining characteristic of the lens is its constant maximum aperture of f/4, maintained throughout the entire focal-length range from 70mm to 210mm. At the time this placed the lens among the more capable telephoto zooms available for Nikon’s emerging autofocus system.
The lens focuses down to 1.1 metres (3.7 ft), providing a maximum reproduction ratio approaching 1:4—remarkably close for a telephoto zoom of this generation. The filter thread diameter is 62mm, a common standard among many Nikon lenses of the period.
An unusual design detail concerns the placement of the distance scale window, which is positioned closer to the front of the lens barrel rather than near the camera body. Unlike many manual-focus Nikkor lenses, the AF 70–210mm f/4 also omits the coloured depth-of-field markings that were once a familiar feature of Nikon’s lens design.
When focusing, the front filter ring rotates, something to bear in mind when using polarising filters or certain graduated filters.
Compatibility
As a screw-drive autofocus lens, the AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 requires a camera body equipped with an internal autofocus motor. When paired with such cameras, however, it integrates seamlessly into Nikon’s system.
The lens performs particularly well with Nikon’s professional autofocus film bodies such as the Nikon F4, F5, and F6, as well as enthusiast models like the Nikon F90. On these cameras the lens delivers reliable autofocus operation and full metering compatibility.
Nikon F4 · Ilford Delta 3200 rated at EI 800 · AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/5.6 at 70mm
Optical Performance in Practice
In practical use the AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 proves to be a remarkably capable performer. Even at its maximum aperture of f/4, image sharpness is already impressively high. Stopping down to f/5.6 produces a visible increase in resolution, while at f/8 the lens delivers excellent sharpness and contrast across the frame.
The particular example I tested shows only minimal softening towards the corners at wider apertures such as f/4 and f/5.6. By f/8 the image is uniformly sharp from centre to edge.
The close-focusing capability of 1.1 metres adds to the lens’s versatility, allowing surprisingly tight framing at longer focal lengths.
At approximately 760 grams, the lens is relatively lightweight for a telephoto zoom covering this focal range. This moderate weight makes it particularly well suited as a travel companion.
Autofocus operation is accurate and sufficiently fast for most photographic situations. Only in demanding applications such as high-speed sports photography might the focusing speed occasionally reveal its mechanical heritage.
The constant f/4 aperture offers a modest but welcome advantage for available-light photography compared with slower variable-aperture zoom lenses.
The lens employs an internal zoom design, meaning that the overall length remains unchanged while zooming. During focusing, however, the lens barrel extends slightly.
Today, well-preserved examples of the AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 remain widely available on the used market at relatively moderate prices.
A Minor Design Quirk
Despite its many strengths, the AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 has one small ergonomic peculiarity. The manual focusing ring is positioned relatively far forward on the lens barrel, just behind the front element, rather than closer to the camera body as on many later zoom lenses. In addition, the focusing ring itself is comparatively narrow, which makes manual adjustments feel slightly less comfortable than on lenses with a broader focusing grip.
In practice this means that manual focus adjustments require the photographer to reach further toward the front of the lens. While this is rarely a serious inconvenience, it can feel somewhat less intuitive during quick adjustments.
This layout reflects the lens’s heritage, as the design was derived from the earlier Series E 70–210mm f/4. In everyday use it remains a minor quirk rather than a real limitation.
Nikon F4 · Ilford Delta 3200 rated at EI 800 · AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 at 100mm
A Practical Telephoto Companion
A telephoto zoom covering 70–210mm has long been regarded as one of the most practical focal-length ranges in photography. Combined with a 24–70mm or 28–70mm standard zoom, it forms an elegant two-lens kit capable of covering the vast majority of photographic situations.
While professional f/2.8 telephoto zooms offer greater speed, they also come with significantly greater weight and bulk. For many photographers the lighter build of the 70–210mm f/4 represents a very practical compromise. When greater sensitivity is required, switching to a faster film provides a simple solution.
Technical Specifications
Optical construction: 13 elements in 9 groups
Closest focusing distance: 1.1 m
Maximum magnification: 1:3.9
Length: 148.2 mm (at infinity)
Weight: 760 g
Filter size: 62 mm
Length including hood (from lens mount at infinity): approx. 183 mm
Diameter with hood: approx. 82 mm (76 mm without hood)
The lens length does not change during zooming, but it extends slightly during focusing.
The filter thread rotates during focusing.
Lens hood: Nikon HN-24 (screw-in type)
Further photographs taken with the AF Nikkor 70–210mm f/4 will be added to this page over time.