Differences betwen early and late Nikon 180mm F2.8?

[aaron_k]

I can't seem to find any mentioned differences between the early

(plastic body/narrow focus ring) and late (metal body, grippy focus

ring) Nikon 180mm F2.8 ED lenses besides the build quality. Are the

optics the same in both versions or were there other changes besides

the cosmetic differences? This is the early version that I speak of

http://home.aut.ac.nz/staff/rvink/af18028.jpg The late version I am

refering to is not the most recent "D" version but the regular F2.8

 

I'm just trying to get a sense on how the early version of the 180mm

performs, all I can find are reviews on the later versions.

 

Thanks!

[roland_vink]

Hi Aaron,

 

If you look again at my list of lenses mentioned above, you will see that all AF 180/2.8 are in the same group, none of the versions is separated by a horizontal bar from the others. Also, you will note that all have the same 8/6 optical configuration. That is my way of showing on the list that all versions have the same optical design. Early versions will perform optically the same as the current AF-D version, although handling may be different.

[aaron_k]

Hi Roland,

 

Thanks for the response. I saw that they looked the same on paper but I just wanted to make sure. BTW, thanks for the site, you've got a lot of great info there!

[kelly_flanigan1]

Hi Roland; I always heard the legend that the <b>some</b> of the pre 180mm F2.8 ED lenses actually had ED glass. I heard this in a Nikon School in the 1970's; and often wondered if they phased in the ED design; before the lens was marked as such.

[gilbert_c1]

AF and manual versions are different in that AF is Internal-Focus while Manual is not. People say that AF/AFD is a little bit sharper at f2.8 but Manual version has better Out-Of-Focus look.

[mskovacs]

To follow Kelly's point, the non-ED lens is 5 elements in 4 groups, the ED is 5 in 5 groups. Anyone with late model 180/2.8 lenses that aren't marked ED should try and count the internal reflections. (of course assuming that if it has ED glass it also has the latter design which may not be correct)