What do these different Nikon designations mean: Nikon Nikkor AIS 600mm f4 IF-ED Lens versus NIKON AF-S VR NIKKOR 600mm f4G ED IF LENS NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 600mm F4G ED VR I think I know...

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

Nikon Nikkor AIS 600mm f4 IF-ED Lens versus
NIKON AF-S VR NIKKOR 600mm f4G ED IF LENS
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 600mm F4G ED VR

I think I know what "VR" is and "AF" is but the rest - not sure.

Please explain as well as what dates these are used on lenses.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

nikonusa.com click on nikor lenses

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Jim S wrote:

Nikon Nikkor AIS 600mm f4 IF-ED Lens versus
NIKON AF-S VR NIKKOR 600mm f4G ED IF LENS
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 600mm F4G ED VR

I think I know what "VR" is and "AF" is but the rest - not sure.

Please explain as well as what dates these are used on lenses.

The first is a manual lens. Yay! AIS is Nikon's manual lens meter linkage. Most of the big Nikkor telephotos are internal focusing. Too much heavy glass and to much wind and suction otherwise. ED means extra low dispersion glass, meaning the glass element is less susceptible to be forced out of shape by heat.

The original Vivitar 600/8 Solid Catadioptric lens (built, actually, by Perkin Elmer) had air filters built in, and you could hear the air rushing in and out as the external focus (the lens grows longer or shorter when focused) operated.

The second is an autofocus lens with stabilization and internal focus. The "G" means it has no f stop ring. Wah. Usually, the G lenses have the latest autofocus motor technologies, quieter and faster.

The third looks like the second without the complete wording.

The 600/4 is a great choice in lenses as well. Good show.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

FAQ: Nikon-Speak Explained
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-42868-1.html

Jim S Loc: Barrington RI, DC now Hilton Head,

I have found a 600mm f-4 IF-ED in perfect shape , used, for what appears to be a very reasonanble price. The auto focus on a long lens does not seem to be a deal breaker or am I wrong? Should a 600mm lens have auto focus? And I have no plans to hand hold a 500mm or 600mm lens so the VR doesn't seem to matter or should it matter?

PhotoArtsLA wrote:

quote=Jim S Nikon Nikkor AIS 600mm f4 IF-ED Lens ... (show quote)

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

[quote=Jim S]I have found a 600mm f-4 IF-ED in perfect shape , used, for what appears to be a very reasonanble price. The auto focus on a long lens does not seem to be a deal breaker or am I wrong? Should a 600mm lens have auto focus? And I have no plans to hand hold a 500mm or 600mm lens so the VR doesn't seem to matter or should it matter?

You would turn off the VR when using a tripod. Depending on what you're shooting the autofocus (AF) may or may not be useful. Generally you would use manual focus but there may be situations when you wouldn't have time to do so. For the right price I'd go with the manual focus lens that you cited.

photog11 Loc: San Francisco

I suggest you take a look at https://www.nikonusa.com

jdarter1932 Loc: Oklahoma

Take a look at Panasonic fz150. A great camera with good vr and zoom 25mm. Really a great camera an worth looking at. I get mine from Amazon.com. You have 30 days to play with it and if you do like it just return it.

Stef C Loc: Conshohocken (near philly) PA

jdarter1932 wrote:

Take a look at Panasonic fz150. A great camera with good vr and zoom 25mm. Really a great camera an worth looking at. I get mine from Amazon.com. You have 30 days to play with it and if you do like it just return it.

If he is looking to buy a 500/600mm Prime Lens, why would be even consider that camera?

jdarter1932 Loc: Oklahoma

The zoom on the fz150 is 488 or right at that. Just a suggestion.

Larry L Loc: Los Angeles

VR = vibration reduction

AF = auto focus

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

jdarter1932 wrote:

Take a look at Panasonic fz150. A great camera with good vr and zoom 25mm. Really a great camera an worth looking at. I get mine from Amazon.com. You have 30 days to play with it and if you do like it just return it.

Why is it that when someone asks about a lens for a camera he already has, somebody has to suggest a bridge camera instead? Is it that hard to stick to the subject?

gfinlayson

jdarter1932 wrote:

The zoom on the fz150 is 488 or right at that. Just a suggestion.

:roll:

It is f/5.2 @600mm equivalent though! I'll sell my Siggy 500/4.5 immediately and buy ten of them ;-)

gfinlayson

The older Nikon AIS super telephoto lenses are still exceptionally good, even by modern standards. I had a 300mm f/2.8 AIS ED IF for a while, but it wasn't really long enough, and spent most of it's life with a 2x TC on it. Image quality was pretty good though, even with the TC. Without the TC, it was tack sharp. A little bit of longitudinal CA wide open on high contrast edges, but a fine lens none the less.

The manual only focus isn't really a problem - with a bit of patience and practice, you can learn to focus quickly and accurately. After all, back in the day, these were used by all the pro sports and wildlife shooters.

They're a great way to get your hands on your first super tele without breaking the bank, and if you look after it, you'll pretty much get back what you paid for it when you re-sell it.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

[quote=Jim S]I have found a 600mm f-4 IF-ED in perfect shape , used, for what appears to be a very reasonanble price. The auto focus on a long lens does not seem to be a deal breaker or am I wrong? Should a 600mm lens have auto focus? And I have no plans to hand hold a 500mm or 600mm lens so the VR doesn't seem to matter or should it matter?

Well, I am a Canon shooter - if you are spending big money on a 600mm lens you will want/need AF - the best and fastest you can get ! Manual focusing is the absolute hardest, most difficult on a 600mm lens ( not counting 800mm and up ). I use a 300mm f2.8 with 2X - much lighter, smaller and more ergonomic ! You will not want to haul around the 600mm monster and find out your focus was a little off ! And yes, VR does not matter because you will be on a monopod or tripod anyway !