Tamron 70-300 sharper than Nikon 80-200 AF-D??!!

I recently bought a new (US market) Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 AF-D (non-AFS) lens and finally got around to testing it and comparing it with a Tamron AF 70-300 f/4.0-5.6 lens that I had lying around. Comparing slides from them on an N80 (yes, a film camera!), shooting at a bookcase approximately 5 feet away from the same location at 200mm f/5.6, the Tamron is definitely sharper than the Nikon. From the same location, at 135mm f/5.6, the Tamron slightly edges out the Nikon in sharpness. Photos were taken on a tripod using a cable release with no flash.

Given that the Tamron lens is about $220 and the Nikon is $900, is something grossly wrong?!! I know that some of that money is paying for the speed (f/2.8 vs. f/4.0-5.6), but I was expecting the Nikon to trounce the Tamron in sharpness. Should I live with it, send the lens back to Nikon, or do some further tests?!

I'd appreciate any advise or suggestions. Thanks!

-Gilbert
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http://www.gilbertmabel.com