180/2.8 ED IF Options

[b2 -]

A quick question on thoughts on different version of the 180/2.8 ED IF lens.

 

I am not a AF sort of guy having just upgraded to a F2AS (from an FTn). I had

a 300/4.5 ED/IF and loved the speed at which I could focus her and the

sharpness. I'd like to move from an older 180/2.8 lens to a ED/IF lens. To

do this, I think I need to go to an AF lens.

 

From my research there seems to be two major versions. An early one which was

very plastic and the current one.

 

Any thoughts from uses these?

 

My goal is to carry a 105 and a 180 and a 2x converter to complement my S2

with a 25/50 combo.

 

Thanks.

 

B2 (;->

[wilsontsoi]

The later AF (AF and AF-D) versions are solidly built that were construct of mostly metal (quite similar in built to 80-200 f2.8 AF-D w/collar, but in a much more compact proportion.) The manual focus ring does not have the dampened feel of the true MF lenses, but works fine. Optically, it's second to none, IMHO.

[lee hamiel]

For the AF versions see:

http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/180200mmnikkor/180mmAF.htm

 

I had the 180 f/2.8 AI-S ED which was a great lens & manual - not IF but very quick to focus & use.

 

Good luck

[leicaglow]

Hi Bill, I recently bought a 180 f/2.8 AF, new. I owned one many years ago--a manual AIS version. I was very impressed to learn how well made the lens is. It is very solid and compact, and even came with a beautiful Nikon hard case. The new version has given me stunning results. I think it is far away better than my old version, which I thought was pretty good. I also have a 300 f/4.5 ED-IF AF. Quality wise, I would put them neck and neck for color and sharpness, though the 180mm focuses a bit faster.

 

Here's a shot I snapped of my motorcycle with the 180. Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to carry a decent tripod, so it's just hand held and undoubtedly the sharpness suffers because of it. Finally, I've been told the 180mm is a lens that might be on the cutting block in the near future, so you might want to grab one while you can.<div></div>

[david_h._hartman]

For a Nikon F2As Id buy the AIS version. You will find

focusing smoother and faster with the AIS version. If you plan on

adding a AF camera anytime soon Id give serious

consideration to the 180/2.8D ED-IF AF version.<br>

<br>

Here is a link to Bjorn Rorsletts thoughts on these lenses...<br>

<br>

<a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html"

target="_new"><u>http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html</u></a>

<br>

<br>

Bjorn rates the AIS (5) on the Nikon F4 and (4.5) on the D2X. He

rates the AF version (5) on the D1X.<br>

<br>

Bjorn Rorslett regarding the 180/2.8 AIS: <em>On the D2X, image

clarity is excellent, but as the lens is stopped down, small

traces of chromatic aberration (CA) detract from the purity of

the image. The amount of CA is by no means excessive, and for

many subject and shooting conditions would go undetected.

However, to demonstrate I for one noticed this slight deviation

from perfection, I have downrated the 180ED for D2X a wee bit</em>.<br>

<br>

Regarding the 180/2.8(D) ED-IF AF: <em>IF makes for effortless

focusing, but tends to give some residual colour fringing in the

out-of-focus areas. Image sharpness and contrast of the AF lens

is excellent, but the plastic barrel makes the lens feel cheap,

this in particular holds for the first release of the AF 180 that

had an inconveniently narrow focusing ring. The next version came

with a hammered surface finish and improved focusing action.</em><br>

<br>

The barrels on the 180/2.8(D) ED-IF AF and 80~200/2.8D ED AF are

a polyfiber material with a wrinkle or hammered finish depending

on lens and model. They are not metal. One photographer here at

Photo.net wrote about seeing a 80~200/2.8D ED AF that was run

over by a car, plastic no question but still a good quality. The

threads for the filters are plastic on my 80~200/2.8D ED AF with

collar.<br>

<br>

I would avoid the earl AF Nikkors with the nasty, narrow, hard

plastic focus ring located at the very front of the lens. Besides

being impractical for manual focus I read here at Photo.net that

the aperture control ring locks are troublesome. One more reason

for by the AIS is I find many of the aperture control rings on AF

Nikkors tend to bind some making these lenses less desirable for

use on manual focus cameras and early AF camera with a single

command dial.<br>

<br>

I own the 180/2.8 AIS and love the lens. The performance of my

lens is such that for practical purposes the sweet spot is from f/2.8

to f/5.6 with a slight drop in image quality at f/8.0 and serous drop

in quality near f/16 and after. There is a very slight improvement in

edge sharpness from f/2.8 to f/4.0.<br>

<br>

Yes Im an AIS owner. If I were buying a 180/2.8 now I might

be buying the AF version since I own a D2H, F5 and F100. However

since I own the 80~200/2.8D ED AF I might still buy the AIS

version as a manual focus prime and AF zoom suits me very well. I

also own an F2As and F3.<br>

<br>

Here is a link to Bjorn Rorsletts start page. I highly

recommend Bjorns site. <br>

<br>

<a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com" target="_new"><u>http://www.naturfotograf.com</u></a>

<br>

<br>

Best,<br>

<br>

Dave Hartman.

[leicaglow]

Rather than these reviews, I'd go handle a new one personally. I don't find anything chintzy about the handling or focusing of mine at all. The build quality is second to no other Nikkor I own, and if the focusing ring is plastic, I didn't know it because it's so precise.

[peter_nikodem2]

I got one and LOVE it but sametimes AF is slow on my D70

otherwise it Excelent Lens also use it for macros with kenko tubes and give me excelent resolts

[frank_skomial]

Comnparing the 180/2.8 AF to 70-200/2.8 VR, AF-S.

 

The 180 lens is much sharper, and more appropriate for very large enlargements. Excellent lens. AF works fast, but slower than the 70/200 VR AF-F lens. AF speed depends more on the camera body than the AF-S.

 

After wroking for a while with 70/200 VR, AF-S, I went back to 180/2.8 AF, and immediately had to pay more attention to the focusing in fast changing situations. You can get spoiled by VR/AF-S lens. The quality of perfectly exposed pictures if fas superior from 180/2.8 AF lens. With 70-200 VR/AF-S you will get higher percentage of better focused pictures.

[b2 -]

Michael, thanks, that's not a bad idea. I will check the few camera stores around here that

are still in business.

 

Peter, are you speaking of the shinny plastic version (I think the first one)?

 

Everyone, thanks for the info, it's great. ANy other thoughts are most welcome.

 

B2 (;->

[roland_vink]

Regarding the AF 180/2.8 ED-IF, all versions have the same optical design, only the outer barrel changed. The early plastic barrel version had a short production run before being upgraded, metal version with the black crinkle finish is more common and handles better, it's the one to get.

 

Since you will be using it on a manual camera it makes no difference whether you get the D or non-D version, buy whatever is cheaper.

[b2 -]

Again, thanks to everyone. I have enough info to move forward now. Cheers and be safe all. B2 (;->