80-200: Urgent advice!

Stevie D · Apr 26, 2006

Hi all

I am on the verge of buying a second hand 80-200 2.8. On doing my research I discovered that there are quite a few different versions of this lens.

The one I am going to see tomorrow apparently is a push-pull zoom rather than a two touch. It also does not have a tripod support unlike the next version along.

It is NOT the IF version.

If anyone knows this lens, can you give me some advice as to whether this is a good 80-200 to go for. Is the fact that it is a push pull a disadvantage?

Also, what is the auto-focus speed like on one of these. I will want to use it for sport and fast moving kids!!!!

Should I be searching for the newer model or does this have the same optical and handling peformance?

The lens is only being held for me for 24 hours so if anyone has some advice - greatly appreciated!!

Thanks

Stevie D

gysseDK · Apr 26, 2006

i just bought a push-pull version, its a very nice lens, very sharp but slow focus, i wouldnt recommend it for sports or kids, spend the extra money and go for one of the faster focusing versions.

--
Claus Christensen
Denmark

Scaffolders are always erect.

Stevie D · Apr 26, 2006

Thanks very much for your speedy reply.

Anyone else with any experience of this lens?

Stevie D

TheronFamily · Apr 26, 2006

gysseDK said:
Scaffolders are always erect.

Stevie D · Apr 26, 2006

sorry - not sure I quite understand this one????

TIMartin · Apr 26, 2006

If you're talking about the AF-D 80-200 f/2.8ED push/pull,
I own this lens. I bought mine new back around 1995. It is indeed IF.
I believe that even the previous non-D version was IF.

I bought a Kirk tripod collar for this lens. I don't know what these go for nowadays.

If it's a "D" lens, then it should be IF and is a good lens for the D70 - the glass is good; however, this lens has trouble on the D70 in low light. It tends to hunt for good AF. It's relatively slow-focusing (on the D70) compared to a newer AF-S version. Beyond the AF-S itself, the AF-S sports an easy access AF/MF switch. Switching to/from AF/MF is a pain in the butt on the original AF-D model, particularly with the aftermarket Kirk tripod collar.

Anyhow, in good strong light, the AF-D 80-200 f/2.8 ED works very well, albeit a bit slow to AF, and is extremely sharp. You will find that you will miss more shots with the AF-D version than with the AF-S version; however, the glass is the same, I think.

WineMan · Apr 26, 2006

TIMartin said:
If it's a "D" lens, then it should be IF and is a good lens for the
D70 - the glass is good; however, this lens has trouble on the D70
in low light. It tends to hunt for good AF. It's relatively
slow-focusing (on the D70) compared to a newer AF-S version.

I had one in my hands for 3 days, I own a D70s and also thinking on getting this lens, I did not find that the D70s had any trouble finding focus, it is not the fastes focusing lens but for MY particular use I did not find that it was very slow, it has a limit switch whitch is very handy for this sort of problems. I is sharp, very sharp, even at f2.8. heavy as any 2.8, it weighs around 1.3 kilograms. And the one that was lended to me did not have a tripod collar, so I did not even try to use one.

I would defenetly recomend this lens if its at a great price, for general photography, but for sports I really dont think its your best lens, allthoug the person who lended me this lens uses it for Ballet, and trust me, its hard to photograph ballet, low light, quick movements, and for us guys the distraction of beautill women dancing.

Hope this helps more that it confuses....

Z.
--
I do not suffer insanity...I enjoy It

D50 · Apr 26, 2006

if so i borrowed it for soccer and found it to be excellent..af speed and accuracy were great...i shot hs soccer that started at 6:30pm et
the push pull was diff and would take me some time to get use 2
--
Thanks

Randy

http://randyr.smugmug.com/

D50 · Apr 26, 2006

--
Thanks

Randy

http://randyr.smugmug.com/

Stevie D · Apr 26, 2006

Cheers Randy

MagicNikon · Apr 26, 2006

I got a good copy of it used. It is a tad slower than the two ring version, I had that one for a week before I had to return it becaue of a cosmetic defect. Built like a tank and very very sharp. I tend to prefer the push pull to the zoom ring on the newer version. Dont pay much more than $550 for one. I paid $550 for on in mint condition. Email me for more specific info.

Josh
--
'As a matter of fact, I do know what card you're thinking of.'

Stevie D · Apr 26, 2006

Sounds like the same one. I am being asked to pay £500 which I guess translates into about $700 - $750, so the price seems pretty steep. It is also in mint condition.

My biggest gripe with the feedback so far is AF speed. I think I need to go and try this beast out as to be honest I won't be able to make a real judgement until I give a work out.

Stevie D

D50 · Apr 26, 2006

fast enuf for an osprey in flight and a 17yr old soccer player it shud b fine for almost anyting u need
--
Thanks

Randy

http://randyr.smugmug.com/

MagicNikon · Apr 26, 2006

was only marginally faster imo, on the newer version. Not substantive enough to warrant dropping a few hundred dollars more.

Mine is the D version and not "Non-D". It takes some getting used to to shoot sports or moving objects. There is a learning curve as I am sure Randy (D50) can attest to as well.

--
'As a matter of fact, I do know what card you're thinking of.'

gmosc · Apr 26, 2006

I just plunked my 350 dollars for a push pull. I had tried my friend's push pull and wasn't too bothered by it. I have a manual focus 70-150 which uses the same push pull style.

It comes down to money and age. According to Kenrockwell's site, it could have been made as late as 1997 but that probably means that it is a bit older. What has the lens been through? The one I just paid for has damaged filter threads.

I figured for stage pictures, hand held, without filters or lens hood, I got a good deal.

When I tried my friend's push pull, I felt like it was pretty fast compared to the 70-300g and the 28-200g but fast focusing is a bit subjective because as another poster here has tried to measure, the sound of focussing makes you think it's slower (compared to AFS). Noisy focussing makes it seem much slower.

Guy Moscoso

tdkd13 · Apr 26, 2006

Comments in text:

gmosc said:
I just plunked my 350 dollars for a push pull. I had tried my
friend's push pull and wasn't too bothered by it.

Thats a fair price, the lens is as sharp as any high quality f/2.8

gmosc said:
When I tried my friend's push pull, I felt like it was pretty fast
compared to the 70-300g and the 28-200g

Yes compared to those lenses this one is fast, compared to the AF-S verion or the HSM Sigma's its not fast at all.

gmosc said:
Guy Moscoso

It is a nice lens, a little slow to focus and can tend to creep with gravity, but those are often not deal breakers if you are getting the kind of deal you got (350 range). If the seller is asking $750 like the poster said, you arent getting a deal ata ll regardless of condition. For $750 you can sometimes find the AF-S version used or a brand new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8.
Definately a quality piece of glass though.

Ted
--
http://photobucket.com/albums/y260/tdkd13/

BIGTEE · Apr 26, 2006

I have the D version push-pull and find the auto focus speed ample for my 8yr olds soccer and also for moving trains. auto focus speed is not only dependent on the lens but also on the users technique. the limit switch helps limit the amout of hunting. for action use afc and do not press the release unless a subject is on a af spot. it is a fine lens and with some practice will yeild excellent results. warning...it will send you looking for other lenses of the same quality. now I am jonesing for a 17-55, 28-70 or something similar.

MagicNikon · Apr 26, 2006

Aint that the truth. All my lenses get judged now according to the sharpness of the 80-200 and 50mm 1.8.

BIGTEE wrote:
warning...it will send you looking for other

BIGTEE said:
lenses of the same quality. now I am jonesing for a 17-55, 28-70
or something similar.

--
'As a matter of fact, I do know what card you're thinking of.'

D50 · Apr 26, 2006

--
Thanks

Randy

http://randyr.smugmug.com/

ianz28 · Apr 26, 2006

--
http://www.ianz28.smugmug.com

80-200: Urgent advice!

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