Nikon 80-200 f2.8 ED review - will you be allowed to use it?

I give my impressions of the classic 80-200 wide aperture zoom, and wonder if carrying it makes you a little too conspicuous!
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[@cloudedfilms]

Got a press pass for an upcoming festival and want to shoot it on F4, you sold me on this lens. Thank you Ash!

[@ashsphotolounge]

You are most welcome 🙂

[@NormanZealandMalana]

Recently traded in, my AF 80-200, added some, and got a "like new" copy of this lens. It's exactly what I was looking for! So far, all reactions / interactions have been positive, out of curiosity. I love this lens!

[@motaztawfik]

Brilliant review, thanks. I've been dreaming to get a copy of this beauty for the last 2 years. The only thing that's putting me off getting it is the attention it draws as you've highlighted :) It's bad enough with the other 2 zoom lenses I have that are half of its size 😃

[@ashsphotolounge]

Thanks for the comment Motaz 🙂

[@sophietucker1255]

I got a beautiful almost unused one of these when I bought my Nikon F4. It is a great lens and I dearly love it. I use it on my F4 and on my F3 and Z7 in manual focus mode. the Z7 with focus peaking makes using it in manual focus very easy. Not sure if I have the right lens hood as mine came with a HB-7 hood which seems to work well. And the leather case was in wonderful shape also and makes transport of the lens easy and a bit more secure.

[@ashsphotolounge]

When my wife came home and saw the lens case on the floor she said 'wow - a leather waste paper basket!'

[@thomassanio8745]

Great great great review!!! I bought the exact same lens new and still feel it is as good if not better than anything out there. Nothing new has the same build quality or the fast and precise focusing either. It is a bit heavy but to me that is no biggie. Thanks for an excellent and honest review, these are a great buy used I imagine. No internal lens stabilization but never been an issue to me.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Thanks for the comment Thomas 🙂 Buy one and a nice old Manfrotto monopod ... and stabilisation sorted!

[@nnyl3013]

Bought one last week. Needed a 2.8. My 70-200 f4 doesn't let enough light in at sunrise. Performed well on tests.

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

I’ve always loved the rendering of this lens and though I own the last 70-200 e FL F mount I still enjoy taking this big and chunky zoom. Paired with a Z camera you get IBIS which helps a lot in some circonstances.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Thanks for your comment 🙂 I've been trying it on my Lumix G85 - on which it becomes an admittedly manual focus 160-400 f2.8 chunk of insanity!

[@DidierMOULINPhotography]

@@ashsphotolounge manually focusing at 400mm f/2,8… 😳

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@DidierMOULINPhotography it's not for the faint of heart 🙂 Mind you, back in the day when I was shooting theatre all the time I used to manually focus a 80-200 wide open (that was the pre autofocus, 'trombone zoom' Nikkor.

[@patternsinsand]

Great review. I can see that it's a conspicuous lens so I'd think twice about carrying it around on the streets but as you say, could be great for event photography.

[@ashsphotolounge]

I used to use the manual focus version for equestrian photography - show jumping etc - perfect for that. It's a great 'out in the countryside' lens too. The only downside there is the weight.

[@patternsinsand]

@@ashsphotolounge Thanks for the advice! Might check out the manual version too.

[@noasslicking]

I have the 80-200 afs version and agree with everything you spoke about. I'm relatively new to photography and wanted the best lenses I could get for not much money. Got a 35-70 2.8d and this lens after plenty of reading and watching about various options. Both have exceeded my expectations and my jaw still drops when I view the images these two magnificent lenses can produce. Took the 80-200 out a few times too the zoo with with grandchildren and like you said have people speak to me about it, plus hand me their phone and ask me to take a photo of them as couple in a scenic situation. Just seeing this lens makes non photography people think your a pro. My first visit to your page it's nice too see older items getting some attention, I will go through your videos to see what over gems you have talked about.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Thanks for your comment Shane ... I think 'confidence inspiring' is how I'd describe many classic Nikon zooms - and primes for that matter. Good luck with your photography 🙂

[@terrywbreedlove]

I have this very lens the 80-200 F2.8 ED. I bought it in 1998 with my N90s and still own both. Just a week ago I bought a new D850 and was shooting the 80-200. It performed brilliantly as it always has.

[@ashsphotolounge]

It's just such a good lens!

[@FOOKyourFEELINGS]

How is this in low light without vr? Still useable?

[@terrywbreedlove]

@@FOOKyourFEELINGS For me I shoot wildlife stills and that means I never shoot it under 250th of a second anyway. So VR is a non issue.

[@brianpack5479]

I took my D600 with the 28-70 f/2.8D lens to a baseball game in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago, and a handful of people thought I worked for the team. I can only imagine what will happen when I take this bad boy with me. Soon. I just ordered one from KEH.

[@ashsphotolounge]

🙂

[@brianpack5479]

@@ashsphotolounge It's here. Wowzers. Got a night shot of PPG Place at full zoom from across the river. So sharp I nearly cut myself, and a great view of the offices.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@brianpack5479 Oh wow!!!

[@markshinton2280]

Hi there... love your vids and passion for the F4 (me too!) I'm wondering, can this setup be strap mounted on the camera lugs and carried, or does it need to be carried via the lens foot (due to weight?) Your thoughts... I'm hoping it can be slung on a strap off the camera itself? Hope this makes sense.... Mark

[@ashsphotolounge]

I've done loads of 'walkabout' with the F4 and 80-200 on strap and lugs ... just use a wide strap!

[@eleneleo]

Obrigado pela dica.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Sem problemas! 🙂

[@hubertthong7405]

I have 2 of these lenses. Older one year 1998 the "new" one 2002. Still use it till today. From the D90 to the D7200 now. Good video !!

[@Crashoverride1234]

Does the auto focus work?

[@MrYorcek]

I've had 80-200 f2.8 then I sold it years ago.. Now I literally just bought another one as I miss it. I've had alot of nikon and sigma lenses through the years but I can definitely say this one was my best lens. Yes it's heavy but it's bullet proof.

[@ashsphotolounge]

I feel if someone tries to mug me while carrying the 80-200 on my F4, and I start swinging the combination ... well, they'd better like hospital food is all I can say!

[@kowa1-everellphotographic306]

I have this and a sigma 100_400 F4 both heavy but great lenses agree with all you say on the 200

[@rbmedia771]

I'm on my 3rd of these amazing lenses now-still my all time favourite lens. I agree completely about the "security guard effect"!!

[@ashsphotolounge]

Red rag to a bull! Or long lens to a Jobsworth - same difference 🙂

[@Andy-rk9mu]

nice photos

[@michaelrasmussen3347]

How does it stack up with the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (first version of the 70-200)? Mounted on my D3s and D4 produces spectacular images and fells well balanced.

[@ashsphotolounge]

I may be wrong - but from the written material I've been able to find, it's pretty similar in design internally. Not tried the VR version, and of course that would not be much good on my F4 - but if it's like the 80-200 performance wise it's going to be excellent.

[@michaelrasmussen3347]

@@ashsphotolounge I admit G lenses is generally not useful on film cameras except for F5, F6, F80, and F100. The 80-200 is the last professional bread and butter lens useful for the rest of the F-line of cameras. Another option could be the 70-180mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-D Micro-NIKKOR. I have never personally used it or even seen it but reviews seems quit good so could be interesting to try to find one?

[@FOOKyourFEELINGS]

​@@ashsphotolounge How is this in low light without the VR? Example:. Photographing indoors in a church ( wedding?).... Thanks

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@FOOKyourFEELINGS Okay, I extensively used the non AF version of this lens for theatre photography and you will not get any usable results in low light without using a monopod or a seat-back or some other form of support. It's old school, you need talent and luck (for luck read burning lots of film) to get sharp images when things get dim. With my D800 I set the iso up high and really don't worry, as the low light performance of the sensor is brilliant ... with my F4 I always try to use a Manfrotto monopod.

[@michaelrasmussen3347]

What film stock and developer did you use?

[@ashsphotolounge]

Delta 400, Ilfotec HC - my usual

[@zendt66]

I took my granddaughter to a local playground with my new Nikkor 200-500 for candid distance shots and to try it out. I was accosted by a lady there demanding to know if I had a child at the playground. I was a bit disturbed initially but later appreciated her boldness in protecting her own kids from an unwanted intrusion. I was only getting images of my granddaughter. This lens may well get added to my kit, which is why I'm here in the first place.

[@ashsphotolounge]

At the big mall a couple of miles from here the security guards threw out an elderly gentleman for photographing his granddaughter with a compact camera on one of the 'sit and ride' coin in the slot machines. I understand due diligence as I have grandchildren myself - but there are sensible limits 🙂. You won't regret adding a 2.8 if you go ahead ... it's a quite extraordinary lens.

[@JoeGichira]

How do I use this with Nikon D750, it's having an fEE error?

[@ashsphotolounge]

You need to set your 80-200 aperture ring to f22 ... the orange aperture marker ... as the D750 doesn't expect a lens to have an aperture ring 🙂so shows an error if set to any value other than f22- once set to f22 you can set your lens aperture to whatever you want using the command dials on the camera.

[@JoeGichira]

Okay thanks

[@voceclb]

También lo compré pero en una versión anterior y es maravilloso!!.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Hi Cristian, I've had the early non autofocus version too - all fantastic lenses!

[@voceclb]

@@ashsphotolounge Es el con enfoque automático pero la versión Push-Pull. Lo otro que le quiero comentar es que estoy enamorado de un filtro que no se lo saco a este objetivo. Es el Golden-Blue de Singh-Ray. Es un filtro polarizador maravilloso para cuando el entorno tiene colores no atractivos.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@voceclb Wow that filter looks fantastic! My first 80-200 was so worn that the push pull used to slide all by itself unless you held it all the time! 🙂

[@matepancel8300]

Tomorrow I will check one out. Same with a nikkor 17-55 f2.8. for my d5100... Your video helped me out! :)) I hope if it works because its priced quite low. (250€) same with the 17-55. If I can get a deal for both around 400€ I will be so damn happy. :)) Also I really love your photos! :))

[@ashsphotolounge]

I really don't think anybody would be disappointed with an 80-200 f2.8 Nikkor. Enjoy your photography - glad you like my photos, and happy to help out . 🙂

[@matepancel8300]

@@ashsphotolounge Well I bought it for around 220$. It has a minor issue. Sometimes it wont autofocus, but if I manually focus it to infinity, then it starts focusing again and works perfectly for a while again. I dont know why it occurs, but it seems random. Do you think its the beginning of its death? and how much would a fix cost? bcz everything else seems perfectly fine, and if this wont get worse, I could actually live with it.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@matepancel8300 Not encountered this issue before ... perhaps we can throw it out to the community and see if anyone has come across this.

[@matepancel8300]

​@@ashsphotolounge I did a search online. Some ppl had issues with its autofocus, but all of those are different from mine. So I dont really know. I wrote to Nikon Support as well. I guess they will answer after the holiday, but I would really appretiate your offer of asking the community! :))

[@j.r.r.m.8808]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXzdg6eOg56MY6c

[@phanbuiquocanh9461]

when i insert the 80-200mm, I can't use my shot button to auto focus, you know why?

[@ashsphotolounge]

First: are you sure you have the auto/manual focus selector on the lens set to auto - and the one on the camera set to either continuous or single shot autofocus (I use mine in continuous most of the time using the 'on lens' lock buttons to hold focus when I need it. Which camera are you using it on?

[@chellmcwags6229]

Could be the aperture ring isn’t turned all the way to 22. That happens to me a lot.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@chellmcwags6229 absolutely that as well - good point

[@mistuhgee]

Is your camera equipped with an autofocus motor?

[@phanbuiquocanh9461]

yeah, It's about the A ring isn't turned all the way to 22

[@marcp.1752]

The problem with digital photography is, you forget whereas you've put your memory cards and battery charger. I do prefer film, it does make so much more fun, as a haptic medium, and slow approach.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Yep Marc, slowing down and being card and quite often battery independent is cool. 🙂

[@marcp.1752]

The Setup shown here is a monster - good luck, shooting street with that F4, 80-200/2.8 ED and hood, especially. 🙂 Now, fun aside, the very plasticky 80-200/F4.5-5.6D with say a F60, F80 is a much smaller, lighter setup for that task. Even the F90x or F100 here is too big & heavy, as body. This monster is a really cool lens for sure, but when you often stop down to even F/8-11, a small & handy lens is often prefered, and not for money making jobs, but your very own fun & joy. 🙂

[@ashsphotolounge]

When I was earning my living from photography back in the 80s and 90s I used an 80-200 f2.8 for theatre photography ... propped on a seat back, I could shoot relatively slow shutter speeds at f2.8 . It's not a serious lens for street work, but again I used to use the manual focus version for show jumping photography and horse portraits I pretty much have always used these lenses wide open to throw the backgrounds out 🙂

[@marcp.1752]

@@ashsphotolounge Yes, i've seen some Opera and also Theatre into the 80-90's, therefore, a F2.8 Zoom was quite handy. But only, when your SLR wasn't too loud with the shutter sound, otherwise, the audience would get upset.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@marcp.1752 I was a professional 'production photographer', so I was shooting in dress rehearsals or press photo calls - so no audience. If I was being paid by the producers for poster shots and what are called 'front of house' images I was literally telling the cast what scenes I wanted played for the camera. They had to put up with my shutter noise!

[@marcp.1752]

@@ashsphotolounge I see. :) Interesting. Well, for myself, it's just a serious hobby, since my childhood, starting from 84. I do know "Pros" which are product photographers, architecture photographers, etc...and all tell me literally the same - it would being much more fun, to have more free time, and just to picture what they really want, instead of doing client work. It would never be a pay for living job for myself - because i couldn't cope with deadlines, and especially not post like the client wishes. Therefore, i love photography with free will, todo what i want to do.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@marcp.1752 I'm happy now to be only really bound by the deadlines of getting content out to KZbin 🙂

[@garymorrison277]

Yes it's a beast of a lens and setup, and a great glass, even today on digital FX or DX. Security guards have NO authority to interfere with anyone going about lawful business, but they think their the law, but their not, they can only report you to the police if your acting suspiciously or witness a crime. Only on private property even they escort you off the premises. It ses to be if you've got a camera your a target but the world and there granny can do what they want on a mobile phone and post it on antisocial media instantly.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Exactly - I may turn up there with a 16mm cine rig next - see how they like them apples 🙂

[@sergeantcrow]

I’ll have to weigh my Tair 3 on my D200 !

[@sergeantcrow]

I have just discovered…. ‘The Photo Lounge’.

[@kibbsnowden6893]

You seem to have a lot of noise in photo , are you using a high ISO ?

[@ashsphotolounge]

Um no ... analogue film ... 🙂

[@Logix7Technologies]

@@ashsphotolounge this was relief...

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@Logix7Technologies 400 iso HP5+ in Ilfotec HC. I rather like boosting the contrast, grain and adding a bit of of an edge vignette to dramatise. If I was going for a no grain look I'd have used either my medium format - or the Nikon D800 which has a fabulous low light performance. (and incidentally pairs really well with the 80-200 🙂 f2.8

[@Logix7Technologies]

@@ashsphotolounge I am about to buy this lens. and when I saw grainy styled photos of yours, I was confused. if that lens produces such grainy images or what.. but now I am relieved. Thanks for the video.. and reply. all the best ! Thanks a lot

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@Logix7Technologies No lens can produce more grainy images than another, that's a function of the film stock 🙂 You should be very satisfied with 80-200 f2.8 - it's a fabulous lens

[@eliedelorme9945]

The 80/200 af-d push pull second version is way better smaller lighter with also a smaller full métal lens hood…

[@ashsphotolounge]

The only issue with push pulls is that when the mechanism wears ... tilt the lens down and it changed the focal length ... this is the reason I got rid of my earlier Pre AF 80-200 f2.8 ... pros like myself at the time hated trombone zooms.

[@eliedelorme9945]

I am a pro too and I am more confident and accurate with the sliding focus/zooming large ruberized ring, then wrist stay in line and does not move in the contrary of a rotating zoom command….I only shoot portrait for my living. Thank for your reply. Take care of you buddy….

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@eliedelorme9945 I think it's what you get used to ... 🙂

[@miltthomas31]

My auto focus motor died on mine.

[@ashsphotolounge]

Oh no - that's not good!

[@MrMick560]

I think with the hood off its not too bad to be seen with.

[@ashsphotolounge]

I think I'm too paranoid about flare for that! 🙂

[@MrMick560]

@@ashsphotolounge I understand but you can always put the hood in your pocket, just a thought, I think that hood really makes a lot of difference.

[@ashsphotolounge]

@@MrMick560 You are probably right ... I have a feeling they did a smaller hood as well as the 'open ended aircraft hanger' that is the HB17 that I have! I may try and track one down if it exists.

[@MrMick560]

@@ashsphotolounge It is a real whopper, I think I would feel rather inhibited with it.

[@MrMick560]

p.s. just out of interest could you tell me how the 28-300 Nikon compares if you have used it ?