Unveiling the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D: A Versatile Telephoto Lens for Every Photographer
Nikon-80-200-AF-D-Lens
Exploring the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D Lens: A Timeless Classic
When it comes to professional telephoto zoom lenses, the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D stands out as a timeless classic. This lens has been a favorite among photographers for decades, and for good reason. Let’s dive into what makes this lens so special.
Build Quality and Design
The Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D is renowned for its robust build quality. Unlike many modern lenses that incorporate plastic components, this lens is constructed almost entirely of metal, giving it a solid and durable feel. It’s designed to withstand the rigors of professional use, making it a reliable choice for photographers who need a lens that can handle tough conditions.
Optical Performance
One of the standout features of this lens is its optical performance. The 80-200mm focal length range is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for various photography genres, from portraits to sports and wildlife. The fast f/2.8 aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and beautiful background blur (bokeh), particularly useful for isolating subjects.
Autofocus and Handling
While the lens lacks some of the modern conveniences like Vibration Reduction (VR) and Silent Wave Motor (SWM), it still offers reliable autofocus performance. The autofocus is driven by the camera’s motor, which means it may not be as quiet or fast as newer lenses, but it gets the job done effectively. The lens also features a focus limiter switch, which can speed up autofocus by restricting the focus range³.
Practical Uses
This lens is particularly well-suited for portrait photography due to its ability to create a shallow depth of field and smooth bokeh. It’s also a great choice for sports and action photography, thanks to its fast aperture and solid build. However, it’s worth noting that the lens is quite heavy, weighing in at around 1.3 kg, which can be a consideration for photographers who need to carry their gear for extended periods.
Value for Money
One of the most appealing aspects of the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D is its price. Given its professional-grade performance and build quality, it offers excellent value for money. It’s often available at a fraction of the cost of newer lenses with similar specifications, making it an attractive option for photographers on a budget.
Sample Pictures taken with Nikon 80-200 AF-D F/2.8 Lens.
The Nikon 80-200 AF-D is a professional-oriented lens, big but not bulky. The one we use on our site is the 2 rings version which was followed by the ”S” version and finally by the 70-200 F/2.8 AFS VR lens. This lens is tack sharp at all focal lengths but tends to be a bit soft from 180 to 200mm when used wide-open (F/2.8). This is one of the lenses that keep going and going. Our 80-200 Nikon lens has been used for 5 straight years without confronting a single flaw. This lens is powerful against flare as you can see from the sunset shots.
If VR (Vibration Reduction) is not needed, this is a must-get lens for almost half the price.
Note: To make polarizing easier, I modified the original lens hood.
A great Nikon lens, a viable alternative to its 70-200 F/2.8 AFS-VR version–
Approx street price for Nikon’s 80-200mm AF-D F/2.8 Zoom lens: $919.99 (at the time of this publication.)
This lens has long been discontinued by Nikon. However, samples are still floating around on the secondary market for very affordable prices. This lens may be old for some, but still produces great pictures on my Nikon D7000, Nikon D7100, and Nikon D800.
Most of the pictures below were taken with the Nikon 80-200 AF-D F/2.8 and Nikon D100 & Nikon D200.
Have you had a chance to use this lens, or are you considering adding it to your collection? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Sample Pictures taken with Nikon 80-200 AF-D F/2.8 Lens.
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