My red (actually, infra red) Nikon D5300 with a very unusual lens, the Zoom-Nikkor 200-600 mm f/9.5 AIS. This lens in various optical configuration stayed long in the Nikkor lens line-up, in fact all the way from 1961 to 1983. However, the better performing f/9.5 constant aperture version with AIS coupling saw a very short production run, only 1981-83, for about 500 units. About 5.000 units all variations taken together left the factory, thus it is not surprising few today ever encountered this early zoom design.
It focused pretty close, to 4 m, and a dedicated close-up attachment extended the near range to 2.5 m which for a 600 mm lens is amazing by any standard. This 'kit' attachment was decorated with two very distinct, bright orange stripes.
The optical performance of the 200-600 was good to surprisingly good, although no ED elements found their way into the optics and thus some CA is detectable. This is the reason I mainly use the 200-600 for IR, for which it does very well all things considered.
Towards the end of its production, Nikon introduced the 'faster' and much heavier Zoom-Nikkor 180-600 mm f/8 presumably with the aim of replacing the venerable old-timer. However, the newer ED lens although in production up to 1998 never took off as a volume seller and in fact, the total run for the 180-600 never exceeded approx. 700 units over 21 years of production. (I have one of them as well so might post on that model later).
