AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED Or APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM

I have been looking at these two lenses for a while and simply can not make up my mind. Price is not that much of different between the two.

For AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED, I like the Image quality. I have seen pictures taken by this lense and love it.

For APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM, I like the HSM which gives fast focusing. Also the micro allows me to focus as close as 3 feet. I have tried this recently with my D70 and it was impressive.

I am new to this forum and if this topic has discussed before, my apologies. Still hope some one can give me some ideas. Thanks.

skaykay said:

I have been looking at these two lenses for a while and simply can
not make up my mind. Price is not that much of different between
the two.

For AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED, I like the Image quality. I
have seen pictures taken by this lense and love it.

For APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM, I like the HSM which gives
fast focusing. Also the micro allows me to focus as close as 3
feet. I have tried this recently with my D70 and it was impressive.

I am new to this forum and if this topic has discussed before, my
apologies. Still hope some one can give me some ideas. Thanks.

Click to expand...

Try looking at this post as it’s exactly the same question as yours….

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&thread=19517491

By the way, I have the 80-200ED-AFD and love it. You wont go wrong with either as both lenses produce the same IQ, but the Sigma is less $$$. Good luck on your choice, either way I think you will be happy...

--
C.Ya.......
Wally.T..........
Adelaide,AUSTRALIA



-=camera gear in profile=-

sox OZ said:

Try looking at this post as it’s exactly the same question as yours….

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1030&thread=19517491

Click to expand...

Well, almost the same Wally. He is considering the Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 with the new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 Macro HSM... while I am considering the Nikkor against the older Sigma model (non Macro)

Thanks sox OZ.

I may eventually go for Sigma lense.

I own the non-Macro version. Word of the street is that the Macro version is slightly less sharp then the non-Macro Sigma.

Anyways I love it, it used to be my goto lens when I am out and about, it's still the primary lens in my bag though I find myself using the 120-300 2.8 a bit more for sports.
--
Shawn
http://www.lazyeights.net

Porto said:

Well, almost the same Wally. He is considering the Nikkor 80-200
f/2.8 with the new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 Macro HSM... while I am
considering the Nikkor against the older Sigma model (non Macro)

Click to expand...

Hey Porto

Yeah your right, this is what happens when you quickly try to give a reply to a post when you are at work...LOL. It's amazing the difference one word can make, and in this case it was "Macro".... But even though they are different, you can usually get some direction from some of the comments from post. Did you decide which one you were going to get?

Shawn, I've read the same, that a few people have had trouble with softness with the "macro" version. But from some of the threads here, you get conflicting remarks on the macro version of this lens. Some say they are bad and others say good, so "skaykay", just be aware that the non macro version may be a little softer depending on the copy of the lens you get.

--
C.Ya.......
Wally.T..........
Adelaide,AUSTRALIA



-=camera gear in profile=-

sox OZ said:

Hey Porto
Yeah your right, this is what happens when you quickly try to give
a reply to a post when you are at work...LOL. It's amazing the
difference one word can make, and in this case it was "Macro"....
But even though they are different, you can usually get some
direction from some of the comments from post. Did you decide which
one you were going to get?

Click to expand...

I was just kidding. skaykay probably did not see my post anyway.

I think I am going for the Nikon as the Sigma seems to have some QC problem. The Nikon also has it shares of problems, but it seems to be of a lesser degree. Where I live, it would be a nightmare if I got a Sigma that needs to be re-calibrated.

As Shawn Clark pointed out, many people prefer the old version because it is sharper than the Macro version.

Porto said:

sox OZ said:

Hey Porto
Yeah your right, this is what happens when you quickly try to give
a reply to a post when you are at work...LOL. It's amazing the
difference one word can make, and in this case it was "Macro"....
But even though they are different, you can usually get some
direction from some of the comments from post. Did you decide which
one you were going to get?

Click to expand...

I was just kidding. skaykay probably did not see my post anyway.

I think I am going for the Nikon as the Sigma seems to have some QC
problem. The Nikon also has it shares of problems, but it seems to
be of a lesser degree. Where I live, it would be a nightmare if I
got a Sigma that needs to be re-calibrated.

As Shawn Clark pointed out, many people prefer the old version

because it is sharper than the Macro version. So, I am not considering the Macro version of the Sigma at all.

Click to expand...

Darn... sensitive touchpad. I mistakenly clicked "Post" before I finished typing!

I have browsed through a number of lens related sites lately and could not find reviews on APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG MACRO HSM.

The non macro version has officially been discontinued but unsold units still available in the market.

As it is cheaper and some said the image quality may be better than the macro version, now may be the best moment to grab one before too late.

I still hope to see some pics or comments from actual macro version user before I make up my mind. Thanks.

I have the Nikkor. Other than the weight, it's a great lens. I also used some af-s lenses and the focusing speed of the 80-200 is very close to af-s so I believe HSM will not have any significant advantage. You may also get a used one and also buy kenko tubes for macro for the same price or less..