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Nikon/Nikkor |
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I classify short to medium telephoto lenses as those from 90mm to 200mm, with the next step shorter as normal and the next step up as long telephotos. Others may use a different scale.
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Nikon 100mm f/2.8 Series E: Part of the Series E family of economical Nikon lenses, and I'd say the best. The 100mm gives good picture quality and should be given serious consideration if you're looking for something in this range but don't want to spend the money for a 105 or 135mm. Construction is 4 elements in 4 groups. Weight is only 7.8 ounces and it takes 52mm filters. |
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Nikkor 105mm f/2.5 AI, AIS: Weight 15.3 ounces, with a construction of 5 elements in 3 groups. Filter size is 52mm. A compact and excellent short telephoto and portrait lens. It's also great for close-up photography. |
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Nikkor 105 f/2.8 Micro AIS, AF: This macro lens has a minimum focus of 16.1 inches. Construction is 10 elements in 9 groups. Filter size is 52 mm and the lens weighs 18.2 ounces. Another excellent lens for portraits and especially close-up photography. |
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Nikkor 135mm f/2 AI, AIS, AF: The 135mm telephoto is the most popular of all telephoto lengths. The Nikkor f/2 is the fast lens in this length. It's also compact for it's size and speed. The AI has a 6 element, 5 group construction and weighs 1 pound, 14.3 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. Construction was changed to 7 elements in 5 groups with the AIS and later versions. |
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Nikkor 135mm f/2.8 AI, AIS: Weight 15.2 ounces and constructed of 5 elements in 4 groups. Filter size 52mm. |
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Nikon 135mm f/2.8 Series E: This is one of the most popular Series E lenses, only the 75-150mm Series E zoom being regarded higher. It has a construction of 4 elements in 4 groups, weighs 13.9 ounces and uses 52mm filters. Good picture quality and economical. As with all Series E lens, this was made for manual-focus cameras but of course works with auto-focus Nikons. |
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Nikkor 135mm f/3.5 AI, AIS: A compact lens weighing 14.1 ounces. Construction is 4 elements in 3 groups. Filter size is 52mm. |
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Nikkor 180 f/2.8 AI, AIS: The 180mm f/2.8 has achieved well deserved legendary status. Excellent picture quality throughout its speed range. Focusing is from infinity down to 5.9 feet. Construction is of 5 elements in 4 groups and it has a weight of 1 pound 13.3 ounces. Filter size is 72mm. The AIS version has ED (extra low dispersion) glass, which is supposed to give even better image quality, and its weight is reduced by 2.8 ounces with its construction of five elements in 5 groups. Probably the best telephoto Nikon ever made (pictured above). |
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Nikkor 180 f/2.8 AF: The autofocus version of the 180 f/2.8 came out in 1988. Varieties range in weight from 18.4 ounces to 29.2 ounces. Filter size is 72mm and construction is 8 elements in 6 groups. Later versions have ED glass. |
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Nikkor 200mm f/2 AI, AIS: A large and super fast lens in this size. Filter size is 122mm. Weight comes in at 5 pounds, 1.1 ounces. Construction is 10 elements in 5 groups. Very expensive. |
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Nikkor 200mm f/2 G AF-S VR: A Vibration Reduction lens, with a construction of 13 elements in 19 groups. It takes 52mm filters, has a close focus of 6.2 feet, and weighs in at 6.4 pounds. |
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Nikkor 200mm f/4 AI, AIS: This is the most commonly found Nikon 200mm lens. Weight is 21.2 ounces (AIS 18 ounces) and is constructed of 4 elements in 4 groups. Filter size is 52mm. Minimum focus is 6.6 feet. |
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Nikkor 200mm f/4 Micro AI, AIS, AF: An ideal nature lens. Minimum focus is 2.3 feet. Weight began at 26.1 ounces and went to 28.2 ounces with the AIS. Filter size is 52mm and construction is 9 elements in 6 groups. The AF version has ED glass. |
My Recommendation: If you can find a 180 f/2.8 AI, AIS or AF and can afford it, grab it! For the average photographer a 135mm will fill most of your needs for nature, portraits and even close-up photography. If you're serious about nature and close-up photography get one of the macro (Micro) lenses. If you can afford two lenses in this group pick up a 100 or 105mm and the 180mm or 200mm. Having two of these I seldom find need for a 135mm. Or if you're into macro photography have one of your lens be the 105mm or 200mm Micro lenses.