Cheapie Nikon 75-240/4.5-5.6D AF Zoom Nikkor Delivers
Written: Oct 26 '00 (Updated Nov 17 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great Resolution, Cheap, Light Weight
Cons: Not Pro Quality
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Nikon AF 75-240mm f/4.5-5.6D Zoom |
Nikon’s 75-240/f4.5-5.6D AF Zoom Nikkor is a perfect example of a new corporate philosophy at Nippon Kogaku, after more than twenty years of using computers to design lenses, and space age materials to construct them, Nikon has fine tuned efficiency to the point where the theoretical balance between production/advertising/distribution cost and quality/features/value is a reality. Nikon and other major manufacturers are starting to produce inexpensive zoom lenses that perform as well as (and sometimes outperform) lenses that just a few years ago were regarded as optical “benchmarks” and cost three to five times as much.
Obviously, fast, constant aperture zoom lenses, with ED elements, and internal focusing can’t be manufactured and sold for prices even close to what is possible with high volume/low cost consumer optics. However very good quality zoom lenses, utilizing the most advanced computer design and manufacturing technology, extensive use of inexpensive “space age” materials, the lower labor/physical plant costs of doing business in the third world, and new advertising/distribution/mass marketing techniques, can be sold for what Leica and Zeiss charge for lens hoods and Polarizring filters. The primary material used in camera bodies and lenses today is polycarbonate, which is often referred to as “plastic”. The F117 “Stealth” fighter is constructed of this “plastic” material. Polycarbonate is to plastic, what caviar is to fish eggs, there is more to the equation than meets the eye. The rest of the story is that polycarbonate is light weight, super strong, wears very well, is inexpensive to produce and mold, and is as durable as metal in most uses.
I had the opportunity to borrow Nikon’s new 75-240/F4.5-5.6D AF Zoom Nikkor for a thorough test run. I took the lens to Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville’s only arboretum, and spent an afternoon photographing the changing leaves of the many exotic trees on the grounds. The weather was perfect, sunny and warm, cobalt blue sky with wispy white clouds, no wind, and beautiful light. One of those absolutely wonderful fall days that we often get here in the Ohio Valley, at this time of year. I had the lens mounted on Nikon’s new N65 camera, a lightweight and feature filled camera (see my Nikon N65 review) that provided the perfect platform to test this lens. At one point I was able to shoot about half a roll of Ektachrome Elite 100 slide film of a male cardinal perched in the backlit lemon yellow leaves of a huge old Ginko tree. The bright “neon yellow” backlit leaves, beautiful crimson red bird, and the sinuously curving black branches made a wonderful composition, but one that was quite difficult to get on film. The Nikkor (at 200mm/ f8/ N65 mounted on Bogen tripod/ and SB 27 @ minus 1.7 f-stops fill flash) produced slides that were sharply focused, perfectly lit, with no distortion, and absolutely no color fringing. When viewed on a color corrected light box with a 6x Schneider loupe the slides were sharp as a tack, easily capable of professional quality 8x10 enlargements.
The lens is manufactured in China, makes extensive use of Polycarbonate in the construction (to include the lensmount) and is compact and lightweight. The attractive finish is satin black; there are no distance or depth of field scales, and no infra-red focusing mark. The focal length numbers and apertures are clearly marked in easy to read light gray. The zoom ring is “easy grip” textured rubber, the focusing ring is the same material, both are lightly damped and function well, no zoom creep was observed. Auto focusing is quick and accurate, but a bit noisy. The front element turns during focusing so using a circular polarizer (or split ND filter) will cause some difficulty. There is minor softness and minor pincushion distortion at 240mm, and very minor barrel distortion at 75mm, center and corner sharpness is very good or excellent at every aperture except f32. Optimum aperture appears to be f5.6. Close focusing is 58 inches, flare and interior reflections are well controlled throughout the zoom range. Overall, a very well made lens, especially considering its price.
Technical Specifications
12 elements in 9 groups
Angle of View: 31-10 degrees
Maximum Aperture: f4.5
Minimum Aperture: f32
Minimum Focusing Distance: 4ft 11 inches (58.5 inches)
Weight: 14.5 ounces
Filter Size: 52mm
Included: Rigid (Bayonet Mount) Lenshood
Price: (street) $150.00
This is a very inexpensive lens, however its performance is exceptional for an optic in this price range, the capabilities are more in line with a mid level lens than with a bottom of the line “cheapie” making this Nikkor a very real bargain. Nikon’s “universal” 52mm filter ring, and the included lens hood further enhance the cost effectiveness of purchasing this lens. Best suited for beginning photographers, advanced amateur photographers on a budget, and advanced amateur photographers (travel/outdoors) for whom weight is a major consideration.
See my Nikon Camera reviews:
New Nikon N65 Is A Serious Contender for Best Amateur SLR
Nikon N80, A New Camera for the New Millennium
Nikon N70 The Ultimate Amateur Camera
See my Nikon Lens Reviews:
Get Close With Nikon's Most Popular Macro Lens 105/2.8D AF
Can You Get By With Just One Lens? Nikon 28-200
Nikon 70-300 A New Version of an Old Standby
Recommended:
Yes
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
Reviews written: 333
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About Me:
Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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