In article <5qiqj0$di0@sifon.cc.mcgill.ca>, tdao@is.rvh.mcgill.ca says...

>Does anyone know the optical comparison between the older AF 70-210 fixed aper
>ature f4 and the newer AF 70-210 f3.5-f4.5
>variable aperature Nikkor lenses? Why did Nikon stop production of the fixed
>aperature f4 and build more expensive
>variable aperature models?

I prefer the f4 version (better evenness in sharpness center-to-corner,
and it is good wide-open throughout its zoom range - and the aperture
does not vary while zooming [and it is a stop faster at 210mm than
the AF 70-210mm f4-5.6, an important speed difference for
hand-holding...]). The 70-210 f4-5.6 is somewhat more compact, but
I can think of no other advantages... Dunno why Nikon switched
versions - I think it was a mistake... BTW, the optics are the
same in the excellent 70-210mm f4 E-series Nikkor as in the AF f4.
Hope This Helps
(David Ruether - http://www.fcinet.com/ruether )