Push/Pull Zoom: I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is set. I'm sure there are valid reasons for not using this method, but I prefer it.

PhotoMan1929 Loc: Virginia, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is set. I'm sure there are valid reasons for not using this method, but I prefer it.

Jerry, the trouble is, I have had a couple of lenses with that feature and they had a tendency to "creep" when the camera was tilted upward or downward.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

PhotoMan1929 wrote:

Jerry, the trouble is, I have had a couple of lenses with that feature and they had a tendency to "creep" when the camera was tilted upward or downward.

I have the twist type, and they also extend - "lens creep."

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Even the new one 'creep'.

The difference lies in the lens groups. In the push pull method the auto-focus was nearly impossible and slow.

Now the push pull is a ring and the always present auto-focus is all over. The set of lens group in is different and only a minute adjustment of the focusing lens group is needed. That adds speed and a greater battery lens.

Which one is best?
The ring adjustment is just as fast and demand less motion but if you dare use the manual focus you have TWO rings to deal with with: The zoom itself and the focusing. It is unpractical and slow in manual.
The original zoom has its strength but also distinct disadvantage when it comes to optical aberrations.

So?
It depends as usual. Personally I avoid any and all zooms and prefer to walk with a prime lens or generic semi wide angle. Yes it limits what I can do but this is also the point. I have long ago stopped capturing every thing because it appeared 'ok'.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

jerryc41 wrote:

I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is set. I'm sure there are valid reasons for not using this method, but I prefer it.

I had this lens and the optics were great. The push-up drove me nuts.

BebuLamar

Is it AF? I think it's difficult to make a push pull AF as the focusing ring is the same as the zoom ring.

BebuLamar

I see now it has 2 rings that negates the real advantage of push pull design which allow you to focus and zoom with the same ring.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

BebuLamar wrote:

I see now it has 2 rings that negates the real advantage of push pull design which allow you to focus and zoom with the same ring.

I wouldn't want two functions on one ring. I like it the way it is.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

jerryc41 wrote:

I wouldn't want two functions on one ring. I like it the way it is.

Well, the push/pull were (are?) dual purpose...

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

jerryc41 wrote:

I wouldn't want two functions on one ring. I like it the way it is.

Jerry, you know that, for many years, most (if not all) zooms were push-pull. I started having problems when I started mixing my older lenses with twist zooms. I prefer to stick with one or the other. With so many adapters for lenses, it is not hard to build a push-pull kit out to 350mm or so. I ma considering doing that for my FM2n. If, on the other hand, you are coordinated to flip back and forth between styles, and, if creep doesn't bother you (it wasn't a problem with me, but switching was), stick with the individual lenses that suit each purpose. I have found that some younger photographers are in awe of people who use push-pull. And I like the DoF scales that are frequently part of the zoom system.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

jerryc41 wrote:

I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is set. I'm sure there are valid reasons for not using this method, but I prefer it.

Yes, they do zoom fast, BUT, they usually push and pull more air into the lenses barrel, and onto the sensor. IE. (more dust may enter the lenses of a push pull zoom vs. internal zoom lenses.

tejaswrangler Loc: South Texas

jerryc41 wrote:

I was out shooting today with my Nikon 35-70 f/2.8 lens. It has a push/pull zoom, and I love that feature. It is very fast, and I can tell at a glance where the zoom is set. I'm sure there are valid reasons for not using this method, but I prefer it.

jerryc41, I use many old, vintage zoom lenses and most are the push/pull type design. They are fun to use, and most will produce a good picture. Lens creep has not been a major problem. Tejaswrangler :)

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Rongnongno wrote:

Even the new one 'creep'. br br The difference li... (show quote)

Not sure which push pull is slow etc but the Canon 100-400L I is incredibly fast focus, handles sports extermely well and is good all around. Primes are interesting but when not having a desire to carry 30 lenses around a zoom, especially modern ones , rival and surpass many primes as far as IQ. Only real disadvantage is speed of aperture is limited.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

All push-pull and external zooms suck in air as they pull out. In doing so, you drawn in moisture, dust and other contaminates. Once fungus develops, the lens is essentially irreparable, can not be sold. Internal zooms don't have this problem and usually cost more.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

BebuLamar wrote:

Is it AF? I think it's difficult to make a push pull AF as the focusing ring is the same as the zoom ring.

The Canon 100-400L is a push-pull and has a very good auto-focus. Maybe you guys just need to make the switch! :)