Nikon Series E 70-210mm f4 - vintage lens review and test

Testing out the Nikon Series E 70-210mm f4
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[@rayrayg9]

This is one of my favorite manual Nikkor lenses! The macro range makes it great for portraits. Sure, the the build quality/handling of Series E is *supposed to be* budget but you cannot convince me that's the case for this lens. It just feels good to focus/zoom and as you said, it's made of metal. I often compare it to my AF 80-200mm (older push/pull version), and that one is very soft wide open. At comparable apertures/focal lengths, they're not that far off and so I grab my 70-210 more often while the 80-200 collects dust.

[@MarcoAries]

Well it sure is more convenient to lug around than the 80-200 😁 Unfortunately the 70-210 I tried had a very loose zoom/focus barrell

[@LiveMyJourneyTom]

It might be down to sample variation but I had used this lens and still own it and I found it to be pretty excellent. My lens didn’t have much issues with chromatic aberration and rendered beautiful, sharp images. The only issue that put me off a bit is more than usual amount of longitudal chromatic aberration that I can also notice in your video.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, there sure is some sample variation and I would guess it might be more evident in the Series E as they were actively trying to save money manufacturing them.

[@LiveMyJourneyTom]

@@MarcoAries I had to look at the test video I put on my channel cos I thought might have remembered it all wrong, but no. It still looks fantastic. Probably the best 70-210 I used short of the 80-200 f2.8 also from Nikon. I only use the Canon FD 70-210 f4 more often as it’s more more pleasant to use. My copy of the Nikon has no friction left in the zoom action. I think I also have the Nikon 80-200 f4 which is meant to be even better but I don’t remember testing it 🫣

[@MarcoAries]

The barrel friction might be a weak point of the design, the one I tried has the same issue.

[@LiveMyJourneyTom]

@@MarcoAries I found one that was perfect in that respect. Unfortunately it had strands of fungus growing right across the middle of the optics.

[@MarcoAries]

Ah, too bad.

[@MarcoBisogni]

I own a Nikon E series lens too but it is a 100mm prime lens and it is actually good. When I read about Nikon E series I see it had even three zoom lenses and I was curious about them.

[@MarcoAries]

Theoretically they should have the same optics as the main line lenses, the difference should be in some components and assembly

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

@@MarcoAries The 100 2.8 E SMOKES this zoom. Not even comparable.

[@fernando-ph4ke]

Hi friend, thank you very much for your video! To use this lens in autofocus, do I need a camera that has a focus motor in the body?

[@MarcoAries]

This lens doesn't have autofocus, it is manual only! (My previous comment was wrong)

[@fernando-ph4ke]

@@MarcoAries thanks for answering friend

[@MarcoAries]

👍🏻

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

The Nikkor 70-210 F4 (constant aperture F4 like this one, not the other one that looks the same with variable aperture) is the EXACT same optics of this E. It's a screw drive auto focus, so your camera will need the built in motor to make it focus. It doesn't have the micro mode, but otherwise same optics. That said, it's a horrible lens. Get the 75-150 f3.5 series E instead if you want a cheap, manual focus zoom. It will smoke this lens and they're about the same $ because people don't know anything about them who find them in storage lockers and estate sales then just resell them today haha.

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

There are 8 Series E lenses. 5 primes and 3 zooms. I have them all. This is by FAR, the worst of the bunch. Did you know some of the E's share the exact lens formula of the Nikkors? This one included. This is the exact same lens formula of the Nikkor AF 70-210 f4 (not to be confused the the other one, with a variable f stop.) It has screw drive auto focus, but it lacks the Micro mode. Takes exact same photos. I've had a copy of it and it's just as bad as the E hahaha. The only reason I bought the E is to complete the set. The other two E zooms totally smokes this dog in all measurable ways a lens can. The BEST of the E's is the 135 2.8 - It ran it against two Nikkor 135 2.8 copies and it smoked them both. The 100 2.8 is right behind it, but it's a touch soft wide open, otherwise just as good stopped down a couple stops. All the primes are great and the other two zooms beside this one are "decent". This one is the dog of the E's........ The Nikkor AF is the same lens and it's no better. If you think this lens is ok.......You're in for a real treat if you try any of the other 7. They're all at LEAST twice as good as this one.

[@MarcoAries]

Yeah, I knew the E share the same optical formula with their mainline counterpart 👍🏻 I'm not surprised the 135 is the best, it's the one focal length that is very hard to find a really bad one of any brand 😉

[@seoulrydr]

you might not have liked the lens too much, but the images might convince people otherwise. tyvm for the vid!

[@MarcoAries]

That's why I don't usually give strong opinions and let the viewers form their own based in the samples 😉

[@XXX-vy6xv]

Ι like vintage telephoto zooms. Even if it's just for shooting for fun. The SMC Pentax-A 70-210 f4 I own is pretty good. Don't know if you've ever got your hands on one at some point. Also own a Vivitar 70-210mm 2.8-3.5 series 1 (PK mount) but I prefer the Pentax

[@MarcoAries]

I own the Pentax-F, but it has a variable aperture; I'd like to try the A and M versions