NIKON 80-200ED/FS ADVICE PLEASE.

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Peter
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Practical advice needed please.
Cant decide which to buy, the 80-200D ED 2.8 brand new or a secondhand 80-200 AF-S 2.8 from a respected seller. This to use on my D300.
I have just sold my old 80-200 2.8 push pull which optically was superb but clunky and slow on focus.
Whichever lens I go for it will not have much use, mainly for large scale model airplanes and my son and friends at track days on their bikes.
I really don't want advice on focal length just which would you choose and from photographers with practical experience please, I have read all the reviews.
Thanks.
 
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Im assuming you mean AF-S when you say FS, if so then the AF-s is your best bet for bikes.

Thanks I have edited. Could you just qualify your reasoning on why.
Thanks.
 
The AF-S version of the 80-200 f2.8 is faster on focus. If you can get one then is a better lens.
 
Thanks I think I am convinced although I did rather fancy a nice new lens instead of taking a chance with second hand one.
The F-S that I had seen has been sold. Should have gone for it.:bonk:
 
Go for the newer VRI version used at about £900, you wont be sorry.

I thought the older 80-200mm AF-S was a clunky old lump or Iron, great lens but just a lump of Iron.
 
Go for the newer VRI version used at about £900, you wont be sorry.

I thought the older 80-200mm AF-S was a clunky old lump or Iron, great lens but just a lump of Iron.

And yet a common complaint is that it's plasticy.

Please forward the extra £300 and I will take your advice.:lol:
 
The 70-200 f2.8 VR does not feel plasticy ......... when you hold one you know what i mean. The older AF-S lens is heavy and it look like a beast tho lol
 
Go for the newer VRI version used at about £900, you wont be sorry.

I thought the older 80-200mm AF-S was a clunky old lump or Iron, great lens but just a lump of Iron.


It's only 110g heavier than the 70-200mm - that's a bar of chocolate, and it is 8mm shorter in length. Also, it's only 40g heavier than the VR2 - that's an even smaller bar of chocolate! lol Not really back-breaking differences.

Here it is next to the 24-70 and also some D3 bodies for some perspective.


80-200.jpg
 
It's only 110g heavier than the 70-200mm - that's a bar of chocolate, and it is 8mm shorter in length. Also, it's only 40g heavier than the VR2 - that's an even smaller bar of chocolate! lol Not really back-breaking differences.
Didnt say it was heavy, just that its a clunky lump of old iron.
 
It was implied.
 
Sigh.
 
Not being rude but can you guys take your little bun fight somewhere else and read my OP.
Practical experience of the two lenses mentioned please.:thumbs:
 
I think it comes down to your choice and decision. Only you can make judgement on what you want and need.

I think we come down to a conclusion that the Nikon 80-200 AFD, Nikon 80-200 AFS and Nikon 70-200 AFS is all superb optic and it won't disappoint you.

If fast/quick focus is not a issue then the Nikon 80-200 AFD will do the job and is cheaper as well. If you happy with motor focus (still fast but noisy in my opinion) then get this.

If you want faster and quieter focus but don't want to paid alot of money then the 80-200 AFS is your only choice but the lens is quite rare to get hold of, if you can source one with good condition and decent price then go for it.

Please beware that both AFD and AFS version of 80-200 is not weather seal? (please correct me if i'm wrong).

The 70-200 VR1 and VR2 both is expensive (specially the VR2) but they both have VR which is handy for long zoom with slow shutter and also they both weather seal as well.
 
Not being rude but can you guys take your little bun fight somewhere else and read my OP.
Practical experience of the two lenses mentioned please.:thumbs:
Theres no bun fight Peter and youve got practical advice from at least 2 people who either currently own it or have previously owned it, like i said, its a big old lump and built like a tank, AF is excellent,

Having owned both i couldn't recommend the older 80-200mm over the 70-200m, dependent on the body you use it on the 80-200mm can feel very front heavy, on a crop camera like the D200/300/7000/7001 it will feel unbalanced but a grip on the body will help things, i used mine with a D300 and it was very unbalanced until i bought a grip, on the D3/D3S it was balanced much better but the 70-200mm is very well balanced on any body
 
Bun fight? We didn't even get started ;)

I agree with Gary though about using it with a cropped camera. It weighs about the same as a D3 so as he says the balance is better there. I didn't find any noticeable difference with the 70-200 and I couldn't comment on the Mk2 I'm afraid.
 
Thanks guys for your input.
Since posting I have discovered that there are no spares for the 80-200 AFS and Nikon cant repair the AFS motor if it fails. Which, I have read, many do.
So I will have to go for the 80-200 D ED which is slow I know and heavy, but I just cant stretch to the newer 70-200 which obviously is the better lens.
Thanks anyway.
 
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i read somewhere that nikon will replace the AFS motor with the newer ones?

The American photo forum I got the original info from indicates that the AFS in question is nothing like the newer ones and they are not compatible. The guy complaining had his faulty lens returned from Nikon with a note. "No spares available.
I don't know if this is true.
 
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My nikon 28-70 f2.8 uses the same AF-S motor as the 80-200 f2.8. If thats true and the lens fail on me due to the AF-S motor. I'm cover from my insurance at least.
 
My nikon 28-70 f2.8 uses the same AF-S motor as the 80-200 f2.8. If thats true and the lens fail on me due to the AF-S motor. I'm cover from my insurance at least.

The 80-200 AFS in question was only made for a few years then dropped.
 
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Anything of age will eventually have problems with parts, I just called Cameratiks in Edinburgh and he didn't think there was a problem and also said it's been quite a while since he's come across a focus problem with the 80-200mm. I also came across this link, I'm not sure how genuine it is though.
 
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Thats why is critical to have insurance if you invest on expensive gear. Anything happen i'm insurance for repair or new for old replacement.

I still don't like to see my 28-70 f2.8 fail on me but i would like to use it till it dies lol.
 
I just got this back from Nikon Europe:

"I have just contacted our Service Centre in this regard and checked with them if they still have the AF-S motor available for both the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED-IF AF-S lens and the Nikkor 70-200mm AF-S lens. So should the items need a replacement these parts are currently still available."

Perhaps it's just me but to be honest I'm struggling with seeing a definitive answer in this as it seems that the poor grammar/English could make the answer go either way.

I've asked for clarification and now waiting for a reply.
 
I think their are more important things to worry about then hoping the lens to fail and struggle without a repair. If the lens still works i just not think about it lol.
 
I agree but I'm thinking about switching to primes so I'd like to know that the lens is still serviceable for someone and also it adds value :)
 
The 80-200mm AF-S and also my Nikon 24-70mm but still in debate about it as they are great lenses and the 80-200 would be hard to find again.
 
if money isn't a problem to fund other equipments then i would say leave it and see how it goes. You never know when you needed again lol.
 
:D


"I apologise if I was vague, the service centre has confirmed that currently they still have the spare parts for the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED-IF AF-S lens and the Nikkor 70-200mm AF-S lens. If you still have any further comments regarding the matter at hand or questions regarding other Nikon products or services, you are welcome to contact us again and we will be happy to provide you the best available answer or advice.

Kind Regards,

Anaelle Moreau,
Nikon Europe Support
www.europe-nikon.com/support"
 
Thats good Graham. I did have a live chat with the Nikon Support the other day and i mention about my 28-70 f2.8 AF motor and they did told me they can repair it or service it if i send it to them.
 
That's great news for the lenses you mention. But still no spares for the 80-200 AF-S
 
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That's great news for the lenses you mention. But still no spares for the 80-200 AF-S


I'm confused?






:D


"I apologise if I was vague, the service centre has confirmed that currently they still have the spare parts for the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8D ED-IF AF-S lens and the Nikkor 70-200mm AF-S lens. If you still have any further comments regarding the matter at hand or questions regarding other Nikon products or services, you are welcome to contact us again and we will be happy to provide you the best available answer or advice.

Kind Regards,

Anaelle Moreau,
Nikon Europe Support
www.europe-nikon.com/support"
 
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