Nikon Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 D AF ED Lens

I would go as far as to say the 80-200mm AF ED f/2.8 D Lens is probably the best lens ever constructed in modern times! Not only is it a fantastic pro lens its within the reach of the humble consumer Joe public market. Rather than paying huge sums for vr versions-VR Is handy but not always very useful! I have found much of the time I don’t even use VR on my lenses anyway! So its just a waste of money in many cases!

This lens is built like a tank solid and super reliable.
Dead easy for service technicians to work on too for service so servicing of this lens is very cheap for a pro lens!

The focusing speed is pretty near as fast as an equivalent but double the price 70-200mm VR version. The focusing is pin sharp and precise even in low light situations!

With modern cameras that handle high ISO much better like the D3 D300 and fuji s5 pro, this lens becomes a true marvel in extremely low light wide open!

Who needs VR when you have lenses this good! The AF-D VERSION two touch or two ring or twin ring type has out lasted the newer af-s version which was discontinued as it suffered badly with flare and focusing issues! And it’s still being produced today as strong as it was 10 years ago.

The old saying comes to mind if it aint broken don’t try and fix it! And this is true with the fantastic 80-200mm af-d lens and Nikon know it that’s why it was not discontinued when they launched the af-s version!

I have used prime lenses that are not really as sharp as this lens from 80 to 200mm its full range! Even wide open at 200mm it pin sharp even the new 70-200mm vr is not as sharp!

I don’t think anyone who has ever used this model lens can knock it unless they are trying to defended their reasons for upgrading to the 70-200mm VR version.

Don’t hesitate in buying one of these you wont regret it. Look for a used one don’t risk buying from hong kong and end up paying huge import duties and vat! Just keep your eye open for a good clean used one these were built to last 50 years! Honestly people will still be using these in many many years to come and they will become if not already a legendary lens.

My wife and I own 2 of these lenses I may get a vr version but I would always keep hold of one!

Don’t buy the push pull one I had one and they are rubbish frustratingly slow at focusing and the focus thread is so fine the camera motor has to turn 75% further than the af-d version plus the push pull version extends where the 2 touch is self contained.

Hope this helps you in deciding your next lens

Mine is the Mk 1 version (all 43 ounces of it!) with the push-pull zoom ring.

Quite simply a fabulous lens! Superb build quality (thus the weight) and optical performance that matches the best of my Nikon primes in terms of clarity, colour transmission, resolution and visual sharpness/contrast.

AF performance is perhaps a tad slow as it's quite low-geared, but focus is utterly precise (which is more important to me). I'm not a sports photographer - if you are the more recent AFS versions are a better bet. AF with any D-Series bnody is superlatively accurate at all distances. I tested this thoroughly when I first got the lens.

I have compared the performance at f2.8 with my 180mm f2.8ED and whilst the 180mm has the edge it's a surprisingly small edge!

It may have some geometrical distortion (I photograph people rather than architecture so I cannot honestly say) but overall it is the best-performing zoom I have ever used. Some say it's the best zoom Nikon have ever made - either way I'm totally happy to shoot at f2.8 at any focal length within its range if that is required for the picture. I take a lot of shots between f2.8 and f4.

The weight actually helps as it balances superbly on a D-Series body, and I find I can happily hand hold at slowish speeds when necessary (1/125 works consistently even at 200mm for me). This version has no built-in tripod bush, and I find it handles superbly with no tendancy to 'zoom creep' in my example. I do recommend getting the screw-in lens hood as this is a 16 element lens.

These earlier lenses are great value, superbly built and perform faultlessly throughout their range (they are also awesome on a D3!).

I bought this lens as I couldn't afford or justify buying the 70-200 f2.8 VR G lens. It still has an aperture ring (remember them?)so it will work perfectly with older Nikon film cameras as well as the better digital whizz's.Why do Nikon now produce pro lenses without aperture rings. I can understand the entry level stuff being "gelded",but why remove them from the higher end range? I use both formats and this lens produces stunning results with both my D2xs and older F4. It is built like a tank and has an all round quality feel about it.It is alot easier to use than the old style "push pull" type zoom which I owned in the past.The "two touch" zoom is a joy to use and the focus can be set to either manual or AF very quickly. The clear distance indicators are easy to read and are normally missing from more recent cheaper designs WHY? There is a handy focus limit switch to prevent unnecessary "hunting" when changing subject and recomposing. The built in tripod collar is a bonus as it allows shooting in landscape and portrait mode as it rotates and can be locked in either position. Focussing is fast and accurate in typical Nikon style. YES the 70-200 model has the silent wave motor and the vibration reduction but do you really need it for nearly treble the price? The example I purchased was in superb condition and came complete with hood and case. With the new 70-200 VR11 now in the shops at a wallet busting £2000 spending £500 on one of these babies makes sound sense. BUY ONE NOW - YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

This is a brilliant pro-grade lens. I call this the "grandfather" of the 80-200's, old but very sharp. AF is definitely slower compared to AF-S series but performs just like my Sigma 24-70 f2.8. Also a little bit noisier while focusing, no tripod mount, non AF-D function. But what would you expect from an old lens? RAW SHARPNESS & BUILD ! For merely half the price of the next top model ( AF-D series) or a quarter of the AF-S series, I am very pleased with its sharpness and build. No fancy tripod collar, no Silent Wave Technology. I can improve my photographic skills to complement on this shortcomings. You'd be surprised by its tank-like, robust build, quality and weight. First time i took this out for testing, I got mistaken as a paparrazzi. Just imagine that ! Don't be put off by the slow AF. A little bit of AF fine tune, use the focus limiter and you won't even notice the shortcoming. I got excellent shots of jetskiers about 50 yards away and it coped very well. So if you're tight on budget, and looking for a pro-grade lens within this range, in my opinion and experience, the Nikkor 80-200 ED is the best choice.

This lens is 5* all the way. Here's why:

For
Razor sharp from f4 down and no slouch at f2.8 either
Fantastic colour balance, and I believe that is still important even with PS
Fantastic on analog and digital
You really have to look to find CA and even then it may be absent depending on lighting.
With the 17-35mm AFS you will probably never need another lens, apart from micro's and long tele's, for 95% of your photographic needs

Against
Tripod mounting collar needs replacing with a good aftermarket version
Front filter thread rotates on earliest versions, so avoid these if you use polarizers
Heavy but if it wasn't it wouldn't be built like a tank


There were a number of D and non-D versions sold by Nikon.
Do your research and find out if the early one-touch push/pull zoom or the later two-ring version is for you.
Either way they are optical masterpieces.
In general the AF speed is faster with the later versions. Not a problem for static subjects or slow sports. They all have focus limiters which is a big help here. If you need the fastest focus then look at the later AFS lenses or the latest VR options.

Optically these Nikkors leave the independent versions standing. You get a lot of bang for your buck - especially with the earlier non-D version.
Choice is yours!