This is a review for the AF-D (no collar) version which is (according to Nikon - I asked) optically identical to the version with the tripod collar.

Tack sharp at all apertures and focal lengths. Flare is well-controlled. Even illumination wide open. Wow!

Except for the bulk, this lens handles well manually. I use this lens on both an N90s and an F3, and it's great on both. The push-pull one-touch design makes for quick handling on a manual camera.

Great on a PK-11A. Phenomenal with the TC-14b. Excellent with diopters.

Close focusing (1.5m or about 5 feet) could be better. I use a 0 diopter to close the distance, and that works great.

AF is on the slow side of tolerable.

Yes, it's bulky; what fast telephoto isn't?

Pincushion distortion at the long end.

I frequently wish it went wider than 80mm.

The bulk will block light to the ADR numbers if you use an F3. Some people I know have added a small bit of foil tape to the back end of the lens to reflect light onto the ADR numbers. I haven't bothered.

An attention-getting grenade launcher. Tack sharp, though. I use the older screw-in lens hood instead of the "correct" bayonet-mounted hood. A major benefit to the screw-in hood is that it's easier to adjust a polarizer - just twist the whole front end! With the bayonet-mounted hood, you'd have to reach inside. I've used it with a Tamron 1.4x AF-D teleconverter to create a 112-280/4, a cumbersome rig with intolerably slow focusing but reasonably sharp results when tripod mounted. Better to use the TC-14b - visibly better results and manual focus is quicker than the AF. I use the long-discontinued Ni-Cam cradle which provides a rotating tripod mount near the center of gravity - it works great, the best tripod collar I've seen for this lens. If you buy an aftermarket collar, make sure you get the one for the right model, because the non-D and D versions have different maximum outside diameters.

Customer Service

Not needed.

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What's comparable?

The slower, less-sharp (but lighter and wider) Tamron 70-300? The slower (but sharp and compact) Nikkor 80-200/4.5 non-AI?

Built as a tank.Fast.Precise & fast autofocus.Price.
2 rings

Dust and spots on the glass inside ,but do not ruin the image.

Very sharp,nearly as 135 DC nikkor.Some flare,but I shoot agaist the sun mainly.Hood is a must!
2 rings and tripod collar that's a good idea,but what about VR,Nikon?

Customer Service

do not know anythig

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135 DC f 2
17 - 35 AFS
Nikkor fish eye
20 mm,f 2,8 etc...

Sharp photos, rotating zoom ring, tripod mount and solid Nikon quality.

My lens seems to search for the focus in low light.

I had two of the older push/pull Nikkors, and sold one for this newer lens with rotating zoom ring and tripod mount. I cant say this is sharper than the older lens, because both are razor sharp, but it is easier to use. The tripod mount is exactly where it should be when hand holding, making it comfortable and well balanced. The tripod mount is fantastic for tripod use, and makes it easy to spin the camera to vertical position. I keep this lens on one of my F100 bodies at all times. Every serious Nikon shooter needs a 80/200 2.8 Nikkor!

Customer Service

Not required

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80/200, 2.8 Push-pull lens, which I still own.

Speed. Great optics; very sharp thru the entire range.

Initially, it's a little difficult to get used to in the manual mode.

I am quite satisfied with this lens and I'm not even getting full use out of it. I shoot exclusively in the manual mode with the lens mounted on an F3HP or my trusty old workhorse Nikon F and therefore do not utilize the AF capabilities. I bought this lens because of its speed and because of the reputation as "a great piece of glass."

My pre-purchase research revealed that a lot of photographers consider the weight of the lens a weakness. I tried it before purchasing and found the weight a comfort after comparing it to some of the "lightweight" products on the market. If you do a lot of long distance hiking and/or pack your equipment to exotic sites however, you should be aware that this is a fairly heavy lens by current standards.

I originally found the lens a bit pricey. I researched and agonized before buying. I'm satisfied, but amateurs should do a little self analysis before making this kind of commitment. How much do you really care about a crisp, clear image? That's what you're buying.

Customer Service

None so far.

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Nikon 35-105mm zoom
Nikon 200mm Micro
Nikon 50mm

I definitely like the solid feeling of this lens. It has a 290 degree rotating tripod mount which is a definite plus and the lens focuses relatively fast with my F100 and F80. The pictures are very sharp throughout its full range. The MTF score of 4.0 is reflected accurately. Attractive appearance. Has convenient internal focusing. The lens has the Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC), a multilayer anti-reflection coating to minimize flare and ghosting and to help improve image contrast. Focuses to approximately 6 feet.

A little slower then the AF-S version.

With the newer AF-S version available you can pick up this sharp, fast lens at a comparatively better price. It doesn't give much away to it's more expensive brother. It's MTF score is 0.1 lower then the AF-S version, which will be imperceptible to ones eye. The focusing speed is where you occasionally notice the main difference. After weighing out all the possibilities, I definitely made the best decision in going with this brand name lens.

Customer Service

None needed on any of my Nikon equipment to date.

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Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO EX HSM, Tokina AF80-200mm f/2.8 AT-X SD Glass APO.

Great ED glass, heavy-duty construction, terrific color saturation, very sharp.

Aside from weight, which is a result of the design and construction of the lens ( and, consequently, more a characteristic of the lens and not really a weakness), I can think of no inherent weakness.

I could not be more pleased with this lens. It's performance, design, balance, and construction are all first rate. If one requires the focal lengths included in this lens and uses Nikon equiptment, then one owes it to oneself to give this professional piece of gear a try. It represents a great value.

Customer Service

Never needed.

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35 - 70 f2.8D

The glass, the great mecanical feel, and AF-speed

Just REALLY must be kidding...

I though my old Nikkor 80-200mm + F5 were fairly good competitors too Canon USM, UNTIL this fella showed up...Amasing AF-speed with great, great glass! The best 80-200 I've tried.

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Nikkor AF 80-200mm 2,8
Canon EF 70-200mm 2,8 L

Sharp, accurate, well-built, sharp, fast, and reliable. Did I mention sharp?

Filters ain't cheap. The weight is sometimes a hindrance.

This the sharpest lens I have ever used. I am amazed, whether it's outdoor photos or astrophotos (piggybacked on C9.25 SCT telescope), the images are crystal clear. The autofocus is very quick, so I don't know why the AF-S version ever needed to exist. Use it with F100, F3HP, and N70. Manual focus usage with F3HP is just as easy as regular manual focus lenses. If you are considering the purchase of an 80-200 f/2.8, this is worth the investment. I have seen photos taken with the Tokina 80-200 f/2.8, and sharpness is lacking in comparison to this Nikon.

Customer Service

n/a

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Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED IF manual focus.

Heavy material.
Solid feeling
GREAT optical Quality
Fast AF.
AN EXCELLENT LENS

price, but .. hey its worth the thousand bucks

A great lens for a high price.
I wish I had 6 thumbs-up for rating...

Customer Service

never used

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Had the Nikkor 75-300 ED and but I went for the 80-200.
A GOOD desicion

Fantastic razor sharp image, from center to the edge of the picture. Good colour reproduction. Fast, positive focusing action. First class metal construction.

Nothing

This is the best lens I have ever bought. Money well spend. Focus is fast enough for me, as my subject normally dosen't run around the block anyway. I personally think there is no point to spend the extra huge sum of money in buying the silent wave version of the same lens. This lens works like a dream on my F80 (N80) and F60 (N60) body, I can only imagine focusing speed will be much faster on a F100 and F5 body. Pictures quality is fantastic, really sharp pictures, and colour reproduction is first class. Before I bought this lens, I was considering buying the sigma 80- 200 F2.8 HSM lens, but because it needs modification before it would work on the F80 body, as well as the sigma HSM system does not work on my older F60 body, I quickly changed my mind. People, if you are unsure which F2.8 telephoto lens to buy, I strongly recommend you buy this Nikon F2.8 lens, rather than other independent lens, not because I consider other third party lens to be lemons, but because this Nikon lens is a real winner. 10 Stars winner !

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Sigma 70 -210 /4 - 5.6