80-200 vs 80-200

[thierry nguyen cuu - nomad]

Is there any optical, IQ, focusing speed, ease of use ... difference between the

Nikon 80-200mm AF ED f/2.8D twist zoom and the same one push pull zoom?

<br>

 

Anybody out there with some test shots?

<br>

Appreciate your inputs.

 

<br>

<img src="http://thierryphoto.com/Poub/80-200.jpg"> <b>vs</b> <img

src="http://thierryphoto.com/Poub/80-200pp.jpg">

[ShunCheung]

They are optically identical. AF is supposed to be faster on the version with a built-in tripod collar. (Only the AF-S version is different optically.)

 

See also:

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=000nBZ

[marshall]

Went from the one-touch to the two-touch a couple years ago and saw exactly zero difference in image quality. Saw a pretty substantial improvement in the likelihood that I'd rip the lens mount right off the front of my camera.

 

Ease of use is very much dependent on how you use it. A manual-focusing friend of mine uses this lens all-but daily and would hate to have to move to the two-touch version. She even bought an extra one-touch used just to be safe.

[johncrosley]

I have both (three iterations), including the first ED (extra low dispersion glass) 80~200 f 2.8, and it's sharpness is simply amazing.

 

I also have two two-touch lenses in different iterations and they're ALL about as good a zoom lens as Nikon has ever made. (It's closest Nikon zoom competitor would be the DX 12~24 mm zoom, which is stunningly sharp.

 

I also have two 70~200 f 2.8 E.D. with 'S' focusing which can be used with the 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0 teleconverters, and I use those lenses for the majority of my telephoto shots because they're vibration reduction (V.R.) and of better use in low light. Even in the studio, the V.R. pays off.

 

If I were just shooting landscapes and using a tripod, I'd probably use an 80~200 f 2.8 and wouldn't care much which iteration.

 

However, shooting street, with an 80~200 push-pull zoom, the more the zoom has been used (and the zoom control has loosened), the more the tendency for gravity to pull the zoom lens to maximum extension as one walks around with the camera and lens hanging down.

 

The push-pull and twist zoom controls each have different, characteristic feels and using one versus the other is a matter of choice.

 

Since image quality is substantially the same (great), the best way is to try each out in real shooting conditions for you. However, be forewarned, the early iteration push-pull lenses (the is the official Nikon repair word to me directly) no longer have parts availble for them, so choose carefully.

 

However, a very old 80~200 f 2.8 push-pull zoom can be as sharp a zoom lens as one can buy, but the prices reflect the lack of spare parts, and the values are NOT plummeting at all. (Just don't knock it around so it needs repairs.) Also, the old, push-pull zoom lenses can 'hunt' a long time trying to focus on subjects; one of mine has a limiting twist ring near the throat that limits the range in which the lens can hunt for focus to various combinations of feet/meters from the camera to limit near to far focus 'hunting' -- a main reason also that I shoot with a 70~200 f 2.8 which has 'S' focusing -- focusing is superfast, and I shoot on the 'street' where that's necessary.

 

John (Crosley)

[thierry nguyen cuu - nomad]

Thank you all for your inputs.

<br><br>

I had a 70-200 f2.8 G AFS -IF once, when I switched to Canon.<br>

And because of the variety of my shot, I got back to Nikon but keep shooting Canon at the same time.

<br><br>

As I can use Nikon on my Canon (5D) body with adapters, I am looking for good D version Nikon lenses.

<br>

A part from focusing speed, I believe that IQ should be the same regardless G or D version?

<br><br>

 

<img src="http://thierryphoto.com/Poub/CnN.jpg">

Also that when manual focusing, the focus speed is not an issue :)

 

Thank you again.

[hash]

I have the push pull version bought from KEH.com and it's much softer wide open than my 18-200 VR. Wonder if this is normal or just my lens.

 

It is much sharper stopped down but I bought the lens for f/2.8 so I hardly ever use it now.