Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f4 vs. Tamron SP 70-210mm f3.5 vs. Nikon AF Nikkor 75-300mm f4.5-5.6

[DaveInAZ]

Hi,

I need to narrow down my collection, and one decision I'm having trouble with is which of these three lenses to keep. I have a 24-70mm and a 200-500mm, so I need something to bridge the gap. To me, the difference between 70mm and 80mm is negligible. I don't mind a bit of overlap at the long end, but I don't know if I need it. The 75-300mm is 1/4 the size of the 200-500mm, though maybe 1/3 the weight. But all these lenses are with 3 oz of each other and maybe 3/4 of an inch different in length.

Unsurprisingly, the AF Nikkor is, by far, the most difficult to focus manually, which I will have to do if I want to use it on my Z5. But, it's the only one of the three that will autofocus on my F4S. I'm not sure how important that is to me. I think the difficulty focusing on the Z manually may outweigh the advantage on the F4. But, it's also the newest and, therefore, presumably has the best coatings on the glass, and that could matter.

So, I'm soliciting input. Which would you choose, and why? FWIW, I can't find a bad review of any of them, though I also can't find a comparison.

Thanks!

 

[DaveInAZ]

Seriously? Only two people have opinions on this?

 

[Huss]

Ask on fredmiranda.com in the Nikon section. There is a much larger population of photographers there.
For me it would be decided upon which camera would you use this lens on the most.

 

[Paul Howell]

Maybe that is the limited number of folks with experience with the 3 listed lens. Of the 3 the only lens I've used is the Nikkor in AIS mount, the last Nikon lens I bought. I have many 70 to 300 in Minolta and Pentax mount and find them easy to MF when needed in tricky contrast situations.

 

[DaveInAZ]

Ask on fredmiranda.com in the Nikon section. There is a much larger population of photographers there.
For me it would be decided upon which camera would you use this lens on the most.

Ah. Thanks. I've tried FM a couple of times and never had a good experience there, but I suppose I could try.

Maybe that is the limited number of folks with experience with the 3 listed lens. Of the 3 the only lens I've used is the Nikkor in AIS mount, the last Nikon lens I bought. I have many 70 to 300 in Minolta and Pentax mount and find them easy to MF when needed in tricky contrast situations.

Yeah, that's possible. I'm just not used to people letting their lack of knowledge of a subject prevent them from expressing an opinion. Lol.