This Nikon 80-200mm zoom lens is a reliable and high-quality option for Nikon camera users. With a maximum aperture of f/2.8 and a focal length range of 80-200mm, it's suitable for a variety of photography needs. The lens is compatible with Nikon F mount cameras and has both auto and manual focus options.This lens is in excellent condition and has been well-maintained. It includes IF/ED technology, which delivers superior image quality and reduces chromatic aberration. Additionally, it features a 77mm compatible lens front and filter size, making it easy to find compatible accessories. Whether you're a professional photographer or an enthusiast, this lens is a great choice for capturing stunning images.
Summary;
Hi friends, I've got a GREAT copy of the 80-200 f2.8 lens for you here!
Lens
Lens caps (note; the front lens cap isn't the one shown in the pic. I mistakenly sat my cap I was taking the photo with; my 28-70 lens, down. The front cap that comes with it, is a classic Nikon cap, reads Nikon on front. Trivial, but wanted to mention it. This edit was easier than re-taking the photo, due to setting down wrong cap haha)
Lens hood
Fully working, like new.
NO known blemishes or issues besides I'm sure some tiny specs of internal dust, as all lenses have, but nothing specifically, worth noting and certainly nothing in there to effect photos and likely wont be on a lens like this for several more decades, if ever.
NO cracks in the manual/auto lock ring. Works as new.
NO broken button lock with the manual/auto lock rings. Works as new; requires button to be pressed.
NO missing or skipping in the focus ring. Fully engages and locks in, in both manual and auto focus modes. Works as new.
NO known blemishes in the glass, like fungus, large scratches or balsam separation or any other known issues.
Not simply found and passing it along. This copy has been used and verified to work beautifully for several months by me personally. Be sure to keep this in mind when checking out other copies to compare it with. This copy is KNOWN to work like new and it is KNOWN, not to have any large blemishes that would effect photos.
It's body is even very clean with just a few minor imperfections associated with typical used lenses. See photos. What you see is what will arrive, besides the baby horses. They belong with their mommy's. :D
Learn more about the lens and this copy. It's such a gem, I just want to talk to you all about it;
This is a nice copy of professional grade glass. It shoots more like a prime than a zoom. Super high quality. These were not intended for average consumers. These were built for professionals. Very expensive back when they were sold new. Now these pro grade lenses can be (and should be!) in anyone's bag! There are several versions. This is the one that internally twist zooms with screw drive auto focus.
This one comes with front and rear lens caps & hood. The tripod collar on these are built in, so of course it's here and it's locking ring works nice and clamps down tightly. You'll need to add your own Arca-swiss plate, as was the case when it was sold new I suspect. It accepts a standard 1/4-20 and the threads are nice and clean. just like new. You should have a couple spares in your camera bag anyway.;)
If your camera body doesn't have the internal focus motor, such as lower end DSLR's and mirrorless camera's, then you'll have manual focus only. However, even in those cases, because theses are so low cost second hand now, they're still worth using and they're such a nice lens to manual focus with also. Although my D610 works absolutely beautifully with screw drives, I've manually focused with it also and either way is a pleasure. Just know, if you have to manual focus, this wont be the best choice for fast moving subjects.
Zoom and focus rings are smooth. Optically, I don't see any imperfections. The body might have a few small and minor wear marks and such but you would have to hunt up close to see them. It's just a really nice copy all the way around.
This being the "new" version as it was called back in the day, is internal zoom, not a dust catcher like previous versions. Though those are more affordable to make and therefore buy, twist zooms have become the standard now, as it's of course far superior at keeping dust from being sucked into the lens as well as the zoom stays where put it and doesn't creep either.
These are easy to tell apart from the earlier push pull versions, by looking for the two separate turning rings; focus and zoom rings. The earlier push/pull versions of course lack the devoted zoom ring and they also lack the built in tripod collar. Those earlier pull/pulls are optically the same though! So if you want to save even more, you can get one of those, but these are the ideal versions. There is also another version, just after this, with AFS, however Nikon's first gen AFS motors are failure prone and known to start squeaking and then soon failing, so keep that in mind. These screw drives, don't have a motor to fail. After that, they replaced them the 70-200 which also have VR and built in silent wave motors....but they cost way more than these and optically, the photos they produce are nearly, if not identical.
This lens is an absolute treat to use. The f2.8 all through the zoom range, means it's great in low light, can use quicker shutter speeds to freeze the action or shoot for great background blur. No need to stop it down. Just keep in mind, my sample photos all downsized hard before I uploaded them here, so they're not great zoomed in. You'll want to check out the flickr page on these lenses and look at some full size uploaded photos there. They'll make ya smile even more. :)
If you're looking for professional grade glass that can take photos that rival new lenses from a vintage Nikon lens, there really are no better than this. This is without question one of the cream of the crops when it comes to vintage Nikon glass. The photos this lens will produce for you, will have you grinning ear to ear! These are criminally undervalued due to their predecessors offering VR and SW auto focus motors. Optically, they're still simply amazing! If you're a tripod shooter like I am, then you know you want VR turned off anyway. Why spend thousands on the new model when you can get nearly, if not the same results from this beauty?
If you've never had one of these yet, listen to this; I've compared this lens with the 180mm 2.8 AF prime lens of the same era. I've taken many photos and compared them and depending on the light shift, it was a toss up between which photos were superior. In many cases, the only way to tell them apart was the extra 20mm reach this one has over the prime. That lens comes highly praised also. It's a prime and should clearly best this zoom, but it doesn't! This sucker is stealer. What an absolute pleasure you'll have taking this one out. Shoot it wide open on your subject and admire than creamy background while maintaining, super beuitiful, pro grade sharpness! Just look at the photos I took with this lens! They're selling for way less than their worth, I'm telling you. You'll agree the first time you take this out. I know you will.
If you don't buy this copy, that's ok, but for the love of all that's holy, make sure you buy one! :)
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"This Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D (new) is the world's best buy in professional telephoto zooms. It is inexpensive because it's been in Nikon's catalog unchanged since the 1990s. This fully professional lens is a treat at any price. Its superior optical and mechanical quality makes one wonder why amateurs rush to throw even more money at Nikon's latest plastic wonder zooms.
This 80-200 is about as sharp as, and focuses 80% as fast as the 70-200/2.8 VR II, which takes the same pictures but costs twice as much.
This 80-200/2.8D is still a very popular lens today, and for good reason. It's the least-expensive fully professional f/2.8 zoom you can buy from anyone today."
- Ken Rockwell.