Camera Labs

Hey everyone.
A local store has a selection of used older nikon fast tele-zooms, which got me interested as they are actually within my budget. The glass in question would be:

AF 80-200mm f2.8 ED (non D, push pull) 350€
AF 80-200mm f2.8 ED-D (two ring version) 700€
AF-S 70-200mm f2.8 VR (version one) 1300€

Since I have the opportunity to try them out before buying I could use some pointers what to look out for on a used piece of glass like that. Any experience you might have with the lenses would be most welcome. It's hard to find information on the older models, especially the push-pull lens. What do you think about the price? Any idea what the lens motor is like on a D7000 compared to a D200/D80, since that was where the few "reviews" of the lenses I found were tested on. Because I would use one of them on a D7000.

Cheers!

Hi Woor,

The Nikon 80-200mm lens have the same optical arrangements if my memory serves me correctly, therefore they should have the same results. The main difference between the two is that the push-pull has a very slow auto focus speed when compared to the two ring 80-200mm. As for the 70-200mm it is a great lens the few times I have used it. The main benefits are AF-S for quite focus, fully time manual focus, uses the new autofocus Nikon teleconferences and VR.

The main question you have to ask your self is if the 70-200's extra features are worth twice the price. If you shoot sports VR is not as important and quite focusing isnt either when you have shouting crowds. However if you shoot weddings in a dark church they become more useful.

It comes down to price and what you think you will use the most. That said they are all good lenses as long as you know what to expect out of them.

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D200 - Sigma 100-300mm f4 - Sigma 180mm f3.5 - Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 - Nikon 50mm f1.4 - Tokina 12-24mm f4 - Nikon Sb-600

Hello Woor

These lenses certainly would act as great alternatives to the more expensive 70-200 f/2.8 VR II, which has a retail price that nearly doubles even the 70-200 VR.

I would preferably stick to the newer 70-200 VR AF-S, as it offers faster, quieter focusing and VR (which really comes in handy when you don't have a tri-pod with you). I also prefer the zoom ring over the push-pull design, but that's just a personal preference.

You could also take a look at the 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S, which although it doesn't have VR it gives you most of the features of the newer 70-200 VR. One main advantage that I enjoy on the AF-S models is the manual focus override, which is extremely convenient.

-Evan

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams