AF Nikkor 80-200 f2.8 review
This is the second version of the Nikkor 80-200
and the first with autofocus, produced between 1988 and 1992, recognizable by the
autofocus range selector here. Let’s take a closer look.
The lens is made of metal, it weights around 1280g, it is 17.6 to 18.8cm long and it has an external diameter of 86mm, with a 77mm front thread.
The iris has 9 blades, the aperture is clicked and it goes from f32.8 to f22 without half steps.
The zoom and focus barrel is rubberized, it turns 120 degrees, minimum focusing distance is 1.5m and it uses the screw dive af system.
Above the aperture ring there’s the auto and manual focus selector, while near the front there’s a ring to select the autofocus range.
Zooming happens internally, but the front turns when focusing.
The Nikon F mount has a flange distance of 46,5mm.
It is big and heavy but it lacks a collar or
even a spot to put one, so you have to be very careful or it might break the
mount of your camera. It does feel more secure on a Nikon film camera, but I
still wouldn’t wave it around. If anything, the weight is well distributed and
it’s not front heavy.
Sharpness wide open is good at 80mm, although a bit lacking in detail, but poor at 200. By f8 it gets very sharp at 80mm, while at 200 the corners are still softer and even in the center is not as good. Chromatic aberration is present and can occasionally be seen even up to f8 but it’s usually only distracting wide open. Colors are a bit warm with good contrast and saturation. Specular highlights can be big and soft but stopping down they get visibly geometrical. Backgrounds and out of focus areas can be smeared, but with the right amount of separation can also be very soft. Flares are mostly well controlled and it can occasionally lose contrast when shooting towards a strong light.
Needless to say, this lens is big and unwieldy, but with great potential.
As other zooms in this range it can get very soft wide open at 200mm and different copies might yield different results depending on how well they were assembled and kept throughout the years.
It can isolate the subjects beautifully but the smearing in the corners and out of focus areas can be unpleasant or distracting.
The lack of a collar is a significant drawback and has to be taken in consideration, ‘cause if you want to use it on a tripod you’ll have to rig it up with rods and supports.
The lens is made of metal, it weights around 1280g, it is 17.6 to 18.8cm long and it has an external diameter of 86mm, with a 77mm front thread.
The iris has 9 blades, the aperture is clicked and it goes from f32.8 to f22 without half steps.
The zoom and focus barrel is rubberized, it turns 120 degrees, minimum focusing distance is 1.5m and it uses the screw dive af system.
Above the aperture ring there’s the auto and manual focus selector, while near the front there’s a ring to select the autofocus range.
Zooming happens internally, but the front turns when focusing.
The Nikon F mount has a flange distance of 46,5mm.
Sharpness wide open is good at 80mm, although a bit lacking in detail, but poor at 200. By f8 it gets very sharp at 80mm, while at 200 the corners are still softer and even in the center is not as good. Chromatic aberration is present and can occasionally be seen even up to f8 but it’s usually only distracting wide open. Colors are a bit warm with good contrast and saturation. Specular highlights can be big and soft but stopping down they get visibly geometrical. Backgrounds and out of focus areas can be smeared, but with the right amount of separation can also be very soft. Flares are mostly well controlled and it can occasionally lose contrast when shooting towards a strong light.
Needless to say, this lens is big and unwieldy, but with great potential.
As other zooms in this range it can get very soft wide open at 200mm and different copies might yield different results depending on how well they were assembled and kept throughout the years.
It can isolate the subjects beautifully but the smearing in the corners and out of focus areas can be unpleasant or distracting.
The lack of a collar is a significant drawback and has to be taken in consideration, ‘cause if you want to use it on a tripod you’ll have to rig it up with rods and supports.
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