Nikon 80-200 AF-D any good for sports?

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ian-83

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Quite tempted to replace my Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR with a Nikon 80-200 AF-D but wanted to know if there any good for sports work? Would mainly be motorsport or would I find the autofocus too slow?
 
I think the focus on the AF-D is abit slow for fast moving sports, unless you go for the 80-200 AFS version but they are hard to find.

May want to look into a used 70-200 f2.8 VR 1 instead.
 
badboy1984 said:
I think the focus on the AF-D is abit slow for fast moving sports, unless you go for the 80-200 AFS version but they are hard to find.

May want to look into a used 70-200 f2.8 VR 1 instead.
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Have you used the 80-200 AF-D?
 
I have the ED ...version previous to the AF-D and yes the autofocus can be slow for motorsports but I MF with it anyway so it's not an issue.
Saying that I did capture this the other day AF-C on a D80 at F/5 1/1000 sec

dsc0027uod.jpg

Shot at 2012-01-04

Perhaps try borrow or hire one before buying.
 
Flash In The Pan said:
Have you used the 80-200 AF-D?
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Yes I have altho i never own one. My friend got the AF-D lens on his D90 and i use it before.

The focus speed to me is abit slow compare to AF-S lens, but it all depend on what you shoot, and how fast the subject moves.

I use a Sigma 70-200 f2.8 HSM mkii and the focus speed is quick but image quality is not as good as the Nikon 80-200 f2.8.

I'm not saying it won't work but i just pointing out the obvious in my experience.
 
ian-83 said:
Quite tempted to replace my Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR with a Nikon 80-200 AF-D but wanted to know if there any good for sports work? Would mainly be motorsport or would I find the autofocus too slow?
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I picked one up quite cheaply from ebay the other week but only as a cheap telephoto to stretch the reach of the kit lens. I haven't used it much yet but I guess it is a stop gap until I have the funds for a 70-200 F2.8 :-).

I guess with good light and wide apperture you could risk focus lock and wait for the cars to enter the target area. (I'm sure the car photographers will shoot me down for herassy)
 
badboy1984 said:
Yes I have altho i never own one. My friend got the AF-D lens on his D90 and i use it before.

The focus speed to me is abit slow compare to AF-S lens, but it all depend on what you shoot, and how fast the subject moves.
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On a screw-driven lens focus speed has something to do with the body and the focus drive motor, it will be slower on a D90 than the likes of a D300. I found it perfectly fast enough on a D300 and D700 for tracking fast movement. Never tried one on a D90 though.
 
you right about that John.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying the lens is bad =.=

Optic quality the lens is superb and focus speed is all depend on how you look at it.

To the OP: I think you best go try the lens out and you decide.
 
jpw said:
On a screw-driven lens focus speed has something to do with the body and the focus drive motor, it will be slower on a D90 than the likes of a D300. I found it perfectly fast enough on a D300 and D700 for tracking fast movement. Never tried one on a D90 though.
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What he said :)

I have an AF-D, optical quality is superb and good value for money. Mine is the push pull version which personally I like but yes, even on the D300/700 it sometimes isn't fast enough. However, it's a very nice lens, sharp and good colour.
 
ian-83 said:
Quite tempted to replace my Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR with a Nikon 80-200 AF-D but wanted to know if there any good for sports work? Would mainly be motorsport or would I find the autofocus too slow?
Click to expand...

I used the 80-200 (later 2-touch version)on a D300 for motorsport work at Knockhill and in general found the focus speed to be fast enough for most situations, it was only really found wanting on one particular part of the track where it was difficult (for me at any rate) to judge the cars/bikes coming over a blind crest, other than that it did the job fine.

Yes, there is a noticeable difference in the focus speed, but this is more than made up for by the other advantages that the faster glass will give you over the 70-300 VR which, incidentally, was the lens I replaced with the 80-200.....
 
The 80-200 is a decent enough lens. Built like a tank and optically superb. I had one for years. The 70-200 VR AF-S is slightly sharper but significantly quicker to focus especially on my D3s. If you can afford it you should go for the 70-200 - you'll never regret it.
 
Would a sigma 70-200 be just as good as the 80-200? And can you use a TC with the 80-200?
 
I'm about to sell mine on eBay... they are good for the price but to get the damn thing sharp, contrasty, and free of CA you need to use apertures similar to the 55-200 plastic VR lens. I had that and it was tack sharp. Personally I'd sidestep the heavy 80-200 and go for the 55-200. Failing that go for a prime. The 80-200 has given me some great portrait shots but having played with a 135mm f2.8 manual focus Nikkor tonight (picked up for £100!) it just shows me how far off the 80-200 is from being stunning...
 
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i got the 135mm f2.8 AI prime for £50 in here awhile ago. The lens is damn good but only downside is manual focus, but i use it in studio once for some portrait and it look super sweet :)
 
jojo90 said:
I'm about to sell mine on eBay... they are good for the price but to get the damn thing sharp, contrasty, and free of CA you need to use apertures similar to the 55-200 plastic VR lens. I had that and it was tack sharp. Personally I'd sidestep the heavy 80-200 and go for the 55-200. Failing that go for a prime. The 80-200 has given me some great portrait shots but having played with a 135mm f2.8 manual focus Nikkor tonight (picked up for £100!) it just shows me how far off the 80-200 is from being stunning...
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I have a Nikon 55-200 in my kit all ready and also the Nikon 70-300 finding the results of the 70-300 a bit better in sharpenss and focusing over the 55-200. Was looking at getting a 80-200 as a next progression but thinking maybe it's worth getting hold of a 70-200 instead.
 
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