Nikon/Nikkor
Medium Zoom Lenses
(All Lenses are Not Listed)
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Nikon/Nikkor |
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I classify medium zoom lenses as those that go from wide or normal range to above 100mm, with those that begin above normal range as telephoto zooms.
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Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 AF: Covers a range from wideangle to medium telephoto. Construction is 15 elements in 11 groups. Weight is 19.6 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. Very good picture quality and has been a very popular lens. | |
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Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 G VR AF-S: The VR stands for Vibration Reduction. This G-type lens has a construction of 15 elements in 13 groups, with two elements being of extra low dispersion glass. Weight is 20.3 ounces. Minimum aperture is f/22-36. Close focus distance is 1.6 feet. Filter size is 72mm. Being a G-type lens it has no aperture ring. |
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Nikkor 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF: Compact zoom covering a large range. Construction is 16 elements in 12 groups. It has a weight of 16 ounces and takes 62mm filters. | |
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Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 AF: This fills the need for those who want an all-around lens. Construction is 16 elements in 13 groups. Weight is only 19.6 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. In the macro setting minimum focus distance is 4.9 feet. | |
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Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF: The smallest lens of its type on the marget when introduced, this 28-200mm lens has a weight of 12.7 ounces, a diameter of 2.7 inches and a length of 2.8 inches. Construction is 12 elements in 11 groups, with 3 elements being of low dispersion glass. Close focus is 1.3 feet. Filter size is 62mm. |
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Nikkor 35-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF: A compact slide zoom. It has a construction of 16 elements in 12 groups with a weight of 18 ounces. Filter size is 52mm. | |
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Nikkor 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AIS, AF: A popular sized zoom. Weight is 21.2 ounces with a construction of 15 elements in 14 groups. A late AF version weighs 22.8 ounces. Filter size is 62mm. | |
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Nikkor 35-200 f/3.5-4.5 AIS: Often overlooked, and sought after by those who know better, this is a great lens with excellent image quality. If you could have only one zoom this would be the one to have. It has a construction of 17 elements in 13 groups. Weight is 26.1 ounces and filter size is 62mm. A rare lens. |
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Nikkor 50-135mm f/3.5 AIS: A popular slide zoom from normal to medium telephoto. Construction is of 16 elements in 13 groups. It has a weight of 24.7 ounces. Filter size is 62mm. | |
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Nikkor 50-300mm f/4.5 AI, AIS: A large zoom with a constant speed which has 15 elements. Weight is 4 pounds, 13.6 ounces, with the AIS nearly 8 ounces lighter. Filter size is 95mm. | |
My Recommendation: As noted above, if you could only have one zoom, and could find it, that would be the 35-200 f/3.5-4.5 AIS for manual users. As for the others, that depends on your needs and how much you can spend. For the average photographer something like the 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 AF, 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6 VR AF or 35-135mm f/3.5-4.5 AIS or AF would fill your needs nicely and are highly regarded. However, I find the Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 to be a very good alternative.