2019 Review of the old School Nikon 80-200 AF-D. worth it?

doni

Senior Member
Messages
1,496
Reaction score
1,598
Location
los angeles, CA, US
For a $600-$700 lens in 2019 value, the Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 is still one of the best value lenses.

It amazes me how well this lens is aging. It doesn't have VR, not nearly as sharp or as optically perfect as the Sigma 105 f/1.4, or as sleek as the 70-200 variants. However, it gets the job done at a really low price point. T

This has been one of my first lenses (going back to the D1/h days). It survived that, the D2h, and the D3 cameras I own. To date, it is still my go to when it comes to portraits (that is, until I eventually get the Sigma 105 or the Nikkor 200 f2 when the price points go lower).

For now, this is one of the most affordable portrait lenses in the market. Sharp, versatile, and cheap.

Anyone still using this classic lens?

















--
...in matters of grave importance, style not sincerity is the vital thing - Oscar Wilde
 

Attachments

  • 3889721.jpg
    3889721.jpg
    1.5 MB · Views: 0
  • 3889720.jpg
    3889720.jpg
    1.4 MB · Views: 0
  • 3889723.jpg
    3889723.jpg
    17.5 MB · Views: 0
I am still using it from time to time. On D850 it works surprisingly well.
 
I still use it for portraiture/events and I love it. It checks enough boxes for me to hold on to it. I got mine for a minimal price in mint condition. Love how it renders for b/w images.
 
I am still using it from time to time. On D850 it works surprisingly well.
Good to hear that even with newer cameras like the D850, it still continues to perform!
 
I still use it for portraiture/events and I love it. It checks enough boxes for me to hold on to it. I got mine for a minimal price in mint condition. Love how it renders for b/w images.
Same. Got mine used some time ago for a minimal price as well. Never really tried it on b/w, but will try some out on the next project.
 
I still use mine very rarely since I prefer prime lenses, it sure is a lens with its own character, a kind of old style rendering with smooth colours, not too much contrast nor too sharp, it has drawbacks like softness at the long edge as well as focus shift on the long edge in close range but once learnt it can still give good results, unfortunately the trend now seems to be all about sharpness which makes us forget other characteristics to look for in a lens/photograph but many of these old D series lens have still plenty to say.



10080230305_9abdab5696_b.jpg




--
Giovanni - 70% GAS affected
Nikon D800 - Nikon D2Xs - Fuji X-Pro1 - Fuji S5Pro - Nikon F - Nikon F3
J.A. Michell Gyrodec - Audio Research SP-9 - Aeron AP-890 - JBL4311B
JN70CN - 14.14.30E 40.32.40N
 

Keyboard shortcuts

Back
Top