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

The Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f/ 2.8 D ED  is a fast  zoom lens for Nikon FX and DX digital cameras and for 35 mm film cameras. It features a good price-quality relationship.

The lens is very popular with photographers and considered one of the best Nikon lineup lenses. The first two versions are on sale on the secondary market at a quite affordable price ($ 530-665).

On DX sensors the equivalent focal length is 120-300 mm.

There are several versions of the lens with the same optical scheme. They differ in a form factor and electronic equipment:

1. The first original version -  the Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8s ED MK I (from1988 to 1992).
2. The second version - the Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED MKII (from1992 to 1996).
3. The third version - the Nikon AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED Dual Rings MK III (since 1996.).

The first two single-ring versions feature a push-pull design, i.e. you change a focal length by pushing or pulling a part of the lens, without rotating a ring.

The second version of the lens features a different electronic system, a capability of transmitting focusing and distance information to the camera, and 3D color Matrix Metering support. Besides, focusing has become appreciably faster. Sharpness at maximum aperture settings, especially at a focal length of 200 mm, also increased. The front element of the second version does not rotate on focusing, which enables the use of a polarizing and a gradient filter.

The third version is equipped with two rings. A focal length is changed in a usual way - by rotating the focus ring. As compared to the  previous versions, this lens features a tripod collar, increased focusing speed, and improved optical quality. After a certain pause, this lens has been produced up to now.

The AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED pros:

• Very beautiful and flexible image with noble bokeh.
• Very good sharpness and resolution, high contrast, and excellent color rendering.
• The f/2.8 aperture is fully functional and enables shooting with a shallow depth of  field and in low-level-light conditions (the first version, however, is somewhat "soft")
• Solid metal form factor.
• Very good optical quality.  3 ED glass elements effectively minimize all major aberrations.
• Negligible distortion and vignetting.
• Well resistant to back and side light.
• Fast and steady focusing ( it is fast  only on the Nikon D200  and major cameras or on cameras with a focus limiter).
• Good ergonomics.
• Compatibility with both AF and non-AF cameras.

The AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f/ 2.8 D EDcons:

• Confirmed by the manufacturer, back focus at 200 mm when shooting from a minimum distance (~1.5 m). Back focus is manifest on digital cameras only.
• The front lens rotates on focusing, which makes it difficult to use polarizing and gradient filters, and some other attachments (only for the first version).
• Hood not included (HB-7 recommended).
• Slow focusing on minor SLR cameras (D50, D70, D80, D90).
• No tripod collar (the first two versions).
• Considered rather heavy by some photographers.

The Nikon AF NIKKOR 80-200 mm f/ 2.8 D ED is a perfect choice as a lens for portrait photography, as well as for shooting distant subjects and wild life. It is also good for candid and wedding photography.

• A detailed review and test on photozone.de
• The Group at flickr.com
• Test, review of the lens AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f / 2.8 D ED on photozone.de
• Review of the lens AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f / 2.8 ED by Ken Rockwell
• Review of the lens AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f / 2.8 D ED (third version) by Ken Rockwell
• History of the lens AF Nikkor 80-200 mm f / 2.8 by Ken Rockwell

• List of components (views: 912)
• Service manual (views: 1832)
• List of components v.2 (views: 684)
• Service manual v.2 (views: 1380)

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