Nikon/Nikkor
Long Telephoto Lenses
(All Lenses are Not Listed)
|
|
Nikon/Nikkor |
I classify long telephoto lenses as those over 200mm to 600mm, with the next step shorter as short to medium telephoto and the next step up as super-long telephoto. Others may use a different scale.
|
Nikkor 300mm f/2 AI, AIS: Weight 15 pounds, 6.9 ounces. Construction 11 elements in 8 groups. Filter 122mm or special holder for 52mm. | |
 |
Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AI, AIS, AF: Weight 5 pounds, 8.2 ounces was increased to 5 pounds, 15.2 ounces with the AF version. Construction is 8 elements in 6 groups and it has a holder for 39mm filters. The AF IF-ED version has a construction of 11 elements in 9 groups and weighs 6 pounds, 8.1 ounces. There is also an f/4 version AF IF-ED which weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces. |
 |
Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF: This auto-focus lens weighs 2 pounds, 15 ounces, has a construction of 8 elements in 6 groups. It has a holder for 39mm filters or can use 82mm filters on the front. Great image quality. |
 |
Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S IF-ED: This auto-focus lens weighs 1440 grams, has a construction of 10 elements in 6 groups and uses standard 77mm filters. Great image quality. |
|
Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 AI, AIS: This is probably the best lens to find at an economical price in 300mm. It has a construction of 6 elements in 5 groups. Weight is 2 pounds, 8.2 ounces in the AI version and 2 pounds, 6.8 ounces in the AI ED version, where the construction is 6 elements in 4 groups. Filter size is 72mm. | |
|
Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 IF-ED AI, AIS: This IF (Internal Focusing) ED glass lens has a construction of 7 elements in 6 groups. Weight is 2 pounds, 2.9 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. | |
 |
Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 AF: Construction is 10 elements in 7 groups and it weighs 13 pounds, 14.2 ounces. A super low-light lens in this size. |
|
Nikkor 400mm f/3.5 AI, AIS: The f/3.5 is also a fast lens for this length. Construction is 8 elements in 6 groups. Filter size is 122mm screw-in or 39mm slide-in. | |
|
Nikkor 400mm f/5.6 AI: This is a good image quality lens of good speed. Weight is 3 pounds, 1.4 ounces. It uses 72mm filters and is constructed of 5 elements in 3 groups. It also has ED glass. | |
|
Nikkor 400mm f/5.6 IF-ED AI, AIS: The 400mm f/5.6 IF-ED was the successor to the previous lens. Construction is 7 elements in 6 groups. Weight is 2 pounds, 10.3 ounces and the filter size is 72mm. A great lens if you don't need the faster speed. | |
|
Nikkor 500mm f/4 AIS: The 500mm f/4 IF-ED P began production in 1988. It has a construction of 8 elements in 6 groups. It has a holder for 39mm filters. Weight is 6 pounds, 8.1 ounces. | |
 |
Nikkor 500mm f/4 AF: The original lens has a construction of 9 elements in 7 groups and a weight of 9 pounds, 4.1 ounces. The later AF-S model (s for silent) has a construction of 11 elements in 9 groups. |
|
Nikkor 500mm f/8 Mirror:There are two versions of this mirror lens, the first having began production in 1968. It has five elements in 3 groups and a weight of 2 pounds, 3.3 ounces. The second version began production in 1984. It has six elements in six groups and weighs 1 pound, 13.6 ounces. | |
 |
Nikkor 600mm f/4 AF-S:Weight is just over 13 pounds in this silent wave version of the 600mm f/4. Production began in 1996. This new version has a slot that takes standard 52mm filters. |
Nikon also made telephotos up to 2000mm in length - Including: 600mm, 800mm, and 1200mm lenses.
My Recommendation: For the average photographer, 300mm is the longest lens you will find much use for, and which can easily be increased with the use of teleconverters. However, if you're into serious animal photography a 400mm or longer lens is almost a must and for bird photography you really need 500mm or longer lenses.