Nikon 80-200 F2.8

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Bruce120

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Bruce
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Hi

I am looking to get some opinions on the secondhand market of the Nikon 80-200 range, I cannot afford a new VR one so it is out of the running so that leaves me with the used options.

What are the opinons on the new AFS one and why did they stop production but still make the AF-D.

Is the push pull one worth picking up, It will be used on a D200 or D50

or should I just get a Sigma.....I have ruled the Tamron out
 
I have a very old push pull 80-200 f2.8 and it is a great lens - I used it all last year, until I got the 70-200 VR. I managed to find a stunning example S/H that despite being close to 20years old looked like new.

OK it's not as quick to focus as my 70-200 VR but it was fast enough for me and probably just as fast as the Sigma and Tamron (but I've nothing to support that)
 
Cheers Simon, I guess it would be a matter of investigating the optics closely on the older ones.
 
The 80-200 AF-S has since been replaced by the 70-200VR AF-S
 
I had the 80-200m AF-S before the VR and my biggest regret is selling it, undoubtedly the best lens I have ever owned. The VR is a very good lens but I preferred the AF-S, it's built like a tank and very, very sharp.

I sold mine to someone on here and have first dibs if he ever decides to sell it, that's how much I liked it!
 
Hacker a dealer has one 2nd hand and they tell me it is with Nikon being serviced at the moment...They want £650 a deal or not?
 
Bruce120 said:
Hacker a dealer has one 2nd hand and they tell me it is with Nikon being serviced at the moment...They want £650 a deal or not?
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If it's an AF-S one, then grab it while you can.

The AF-D version (two-ring, the one after the push/pull) is a fantastic lens in it's own right. Great optics, sharp at f/2.8 throughout the range. :)
 
My guess is that a minty 2nd-hand AF-S 80-200 would sell for close to £1,000; given the current prices on new 70-200VR and 2nd-hand ones ...
 
Wail said:
My guess is that a minty 2nd-hand AF-S 80-200 would sell for close to £1,000; given the current prices on new 70-200VR and 2nd-hand ones ...
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I've seen mint dealer (2nd hand) AF-S lenses go for around £800. Grays have a couple around the £1k mark....a little overpriced IMHO.
 
At £800 that's a really good bargain ..

Grays have the one in stock, it is not even mint by their standards, and they're asking close to £1,200 for it .. Grays are generally more expensive than other retailers but they do offer outstanding service, and variety to play with.
 
Bruce120 said:
Hacker a dealer has one 2nd hand and they tell me it is with Nikon being serviced at the moment...They want £650 a deal or not?
Click to expand...

Grab it with both hands and run away laughing, you won't regret it!
 
I'll be after a 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S at the end of the month. Good ones have been going for around £600 - £700 on eBay. ;)
 
A great lens this, picked mine up for a real bargain, cannot believe the prices they are fetching at the moment. I paid £250 for mine, had to sent it to Nikon for a service and to fix the apeture ring, that cost around £90, so all in all I paid £340.:thumbs:
 
I have had the old push pull version and found it was sharp but not that quick, the Sigma is on par with the older one but so much fast focussing

out of those two i would choose the Sigma 70-200 everytime
 
In contrast to Whitey's experience, my neighbour has a new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and my 80-200mm AF-D (two-ring version) f/2.8 destroys it for sharpness, accuracy of focus and also speed. I haven't had an opportunity to try out the AF-S version however I'd assume something like a 20% increase in speed.
 
sdb123 said:
In contrast to Whitey's experience, my neighbour has a new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and my 80-200mm AF-D (two-ring version) f/2.8 destroys it for sharpness, accuracy of focus and also speed. I haven't had an opportunity to tey out the AF-S version however I'd assume something like a 20% increase in speed.
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never tried the AF-D version, only push pull i commented on so cant compare those two, out of either the push pull version or the sigma i would choose the sigme, thats without testing or having used the others
 
The AF-D is a fantastic lens, optically there really isn't anything between it and the 70-200 VR, AF-S makes a huge difference though.

If you want to see if you can tell the difference between the 70 and 80 AF-S optically, have a look at the Power-Images website, they use both....
 
A question from a former Canon user.....is the twist zoom the AFS in every case? Or are there some older twist zoom versions that are not AFS?
 
corny said:
A question from a former Canon user.....is the twist zoom the AFS in every case? Or are there some older twist zoom versions that are not AFS?
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The later AF-D (two-ring version) and AF-S look the same.

The AF-S model is denoted by the letters AF-S on the barrel. ;)
 
i have the push pull one and i wouldnt swap it for anything.its on my camera virtually all the time....
 
I've had the push pull AF, the 2 ring AF-D and now the 70-200mm VR

sharpness wise there isn't anything between them IMO, the VR is faster focusing but for the money the older versions are unbeatable.
 
I've got the push pull 2.8d and I love it. I'd only replace it if I broke and I'd replace it with another one (or the two ring version). It's brilliant and almost every picture out of it is a winner.
 
Ive got the 2 ring version and love it, sharp as a pin and very quick focussing too, picked up for a reasonable price too, keep an eye out and they do crop up. As a comparison I had tried the Sigma and Tamron 70-200 and am glad I held off and bought my 80-200 as it is better build quality, better IQ and faster AF and cheaper too!
 
I have the 80-200 push pull lens and it is great. Use it with the D700. Only paid £220 for it on Ebay
 
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