In the grand scheme of things, 1986 isn't terribly "vintage" when it comes to camera lenses. When it comes to autofocus lenses it is, though, and the Nikkor AF 70-210mm f/4 dates back to the dawn of Nikon autofocus SLRs, launching with the N2020 in the mid/late Eighties here in North America.
Like all early Nikon autofocus lenses, these are dependent on a motor in the camera body to focus and thus won't autofocus on D3xxx or D5xxx consumer-grade DSLRs. Focusing is noisier and generally slower than with lens-mounted motors, although the motors in a pro body like my F5 will spin the glass with alacrity.
Because of this, like most old screw-drive Nikon AF lenses, the 70-210/4 is usually available pretty cheaply for a constant-aperture zoom in that focal length range. Is it worth it? This guy thinks so...
The one I have was sent to me by Gewehr98 as it was his spare and gathering dust. I'm looking forward to getting it out in the open air and sunshine.
