Nikon fit 70/80-200mm f/2.8

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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Selling my Sigma f/2.8 70-200mm because although it's a good lens, I don't feel 100% comfortable with its performance. Don't get me wrong, it's an amazing lens but I've had it re-calibrated once and on some occasions the AF just doesn't give me the results I require for magazine work.

Anyway, I'm keen to have all OEM kit so the Nikon 80-200mm is on my radar. I'm obviously going to have to buy used with it being a discontinued lens but am confused about the 'two-touch' description, which hints at there being a 'one-touch' version - is there one and if so, which is better and why? Also, there's AF-D and AF-S; I understand that AF-S is much faster in the AF department but just how fast? I need reliable AF, not the fastest, so maybe the 'D' version might be worth a punt, plus it will be that little bit cheaper.

What do you guys reckon? I need a f/2.8 lens, otherwise I'd go for the 80-400mm VR for the bigger range. The 70-200mm VR is out of the question because of cost and I've heard the 'other' 3rd party option, the Tamron is optically brilliant but the focussing is as ropey as.... err, a rope :)
 
I had the 'one touch' 80-200. The main drawback is that the AF isn't as quick as the newer lenses but it was sharp as hell. It all depends on how important superquick AF is for you.
 
I use an 80-200 AFD on a 200 and a 300,focussing is very quick and very accurate.

I also had the 70-200 VR,it was a tad faster,but I didn`t think it was worth the extra wonga,

JMO.
 
The Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 is probably the best of the bunch optically... but with 4th rate focusing performance (its shamefully bad).. think long and hard. The 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D is about 10x faster going from close up to infinity.

The 70-200 VR is the fastest to focus, but I doubt the price premium over the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D.
 
I thought the 80-200 AF-D was still in production... only the AF-S that isn't. But I'm generally wrong as far as the wife tells me.
 
V8burble said:
I thought the 80-200 AF-D was still in production... only the AF-S that isn't. But I'm generally wrong as far as the wife tells me.
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You're right, the AF-S was discontinued, the AF-D is still being made.
 
You could always hire an 80-200 off Stewart to see how you get on with it for what you do.

Sorry, meant to say that the one touch early model is not up to the later model and is best left alone
 
Thought the 80-200mm had been dropped because it doesn't seem to appear in many retailer's price lists, other than in the used sections. The 70-200mm VR is way to expensive.

Take it the 'one touch' is a push/pull zoom with a focussing ring and the 'two touch' has seperate focus and zoom rings? So, AF-D 'two-touch' is a decent buy? Really fast AF isn't a must – I'm shooting static guys sat/stood fishing – but it needs to be accurate each and every time, which is where the Siggy let me down on odd occasions.
 
I think it would be more than up to the job you ask of it.......:thumbs:

Shame your a way off, you could have had a trial with mine.
 
specialman said:
Take it the 'one touch' is a push/pull zoom with a focussing ring and the 'two touch' has seperate focus and zoom rings? So, AF-D 'two-touch' is a decent buy? Really fast AF isn't a must – I'm shooting static guys sat/stood fishing – but it needs to be accurate each and every time, which is where the Siggy let me down on odd occasions.
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Yep..

80-200mm 'one touch' (push/pull design)
80-200mm (two-ring) AF-D
80-200mm (two-ring) AF-S

I've used both the two-ring versions; optically excellent with quicker AF on the AF-S although the AF-D isn't at all shoddy. :)
 
im also after a 80-200 afd, fyi theres one in ffordes at £600 and some in camerbox (new i presume) for £700

EDIT: and a 1 touch for £400 in mifsuds :D
 
yeah im tempted but still making my mind up as to what lens set up to go for. Theres only 1 left in camerabox but there are some in one stop for 750 ish and one on fleabay around the same :D
 
another vote for the 80-200mm, I had the 70-200mm AF-s VR and sold it because I couldn't see much difference between the two, certainly not £500 worth
 
I had a 80-200 AF D but it had a poor focus issue with its minimum focus distance at 200mm. I know this is noted in many Nikon camera manuals. Then, I bought a 70-200 VR which is superb, but expensive. Much better than the 80-200.
Best one I had though was the 80-200 AF S. As sharp and quick as the VR and much better balanced. Shame it went faulty and I could never find a reasonable priced replacement.

If you can find an AF S, get it!

Allan
 
If you were nearer me I would lend you my 80-200 AF-D 2 ring, I love it to bits and it incredibly sharp, I guess I pine over the 70-200 VR but more because I would benefit from the VR than the fact I belive it is a much better lens!

I have used my 80-200 for motorsport and although I am not the best Msport Tog I still got some fab shots, on wildlife shots though the 80-200 was amazing and well chuffed with the IQ and sharpness of the ones I took (the AF seemed pretty damn quick to me too!)
 
Have sold my Siggy 70-200mm so now need to get hold of a 80-200mm. That camerabox place looked to be cheapest but got a price through our works Jessops account for £640 - bargain I reckon. That's the AF-D version. Hopefully will have it this week - yippee :)
 
specialman said:
Have sold my Siggy 70-200mm so now need to get hold of a 80-200mm. That camerabox place looked to be cheapest but got a price through our works Jessops account for £640 - bargain I reckon. That's the AF-D version. Hopefully will have it this week - yippee :)
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I get the feeling you're going to love it ;)
 
Guess what, phoned Jessops again to place the order and the idiot on the other end of the phone, after about five minutes of phenetically spelling out the lens name, was actually giving me a price for a 18-200mm and NOT a 80-200mm - no wonder Jessops is going down the pan!! They didn't know Nikon ever produced a 80-200mm, continually referring to the 70-200 as their fast zoom.

Instead, managed to pick up a new 80-200mm af-d off ebay for £650 so it'll hopefully be here tomorrow. Can't wait :)
 
Got the lens through - what a piece of kit! Tough build quality, great optics and although the AF is a tad slower than the old Siggy 70-200mm, it's a much better piece of glass to use in the hand. Well chuffed :)
 
specialman said:
Got the lens through - what a piece of kit! Tough build quality, great optics and although the AF is a tad slower than the old Siggy 70-200mm, it's a much better piece of glass to use in the hand. Well chuffed :)
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You wanted to upgrade your sigma because the AF wasn't up to scratch, but are now happy with the 80-200 af-d which in your opinion is slower? :thinking::lol:
 
alexisonfire said:
You wanted to upgrade your sigma because the AF wasn't up to scratch, but are now happy with the 80-200 af-d which in your opinion is slower? :thinking::lol:
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There's a difference in being slow but accurate instead of quick but out of focus. :)
 
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