Since the 70/80-200/210 zoom is THE easiest to design well, most

offered are at least decent, even wide open. The Nikkor is excellent,

as is the Nikkor E-Series 70-210 f4 (at a much lower price) - but

most others are also good. Be ware of "close-focus" or "macro" in

a zoom unless the lens has a special macro facility (and even then...;-),

since zooms often perform poorly if forced out of the normal focus

range (and often perform poorly on tubes - though tele-converters and

2-element "close-up lenses" [achromats] can often perform well with

these at mid/small stops for macro work...).

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com

"Mike - EMAIL IGNORED" <m_d_berger_1900@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:3FB117F8.31FDC3D3@yahoo.com...

> You make a good point, but I am attracted by the Close Focus

> of 0.85m for the Tamron, compared with 1.2m for the Nikkor.

> Mike.

> BG250 wrote:

> >

> > With the Nikkor getting a 3.6, which is great for a zoom of this type, I

> > wouldn't bother with the others.

> > The variable max aperture Tamron probably fairs poor in comparison. The

> > f/3.5 Tamron would likely be a close contender with the Nikor, but you may

> > not find any MTF data on the lens. Given the Nikkor's MTF score, it is not

> > likely the Tamron will out perform it.

> >

> > bg

> > "Mike - EMAIL IGNORED" <m_d_berger_1900@yahoo.com> wrote in message

> > news:3FB0EA7E.71D6A6E7@yahoo.com...

> > > I am considering the following 35mm/MF lenses:

> > >

> > > Tamron SP 70-210/4-5.6

> > > Tamron SP 70-210/3.5

> > > Nikkor 80-200/4

> > >

> > > Photodo rates the Nikkor at 3.6, but does not

> > > rate the others. Does anyone know where I

> > > could find comparitive ratings?

> > >

> > > Thanks in advance,

> > > Mike.