70-200 mm f/2.8

Blacktop

Senior Member
Went to an Asian festival in Knoxville today and I realized that I need a 2.8 lens that goes out to at least 200mm.

There were a lot of people walking around in their Asian native dress. There were dancers and performers. It was a very colorful event. The problem is that these type of events are usually very crowded, and you can't always get close enough to get a nice shot with a nice out of focus background.
I was using the 70-300mm which is a very nice lens, but at f/5.6 it's hard to get a nice out of focus background when you're not in close taking a shot.

Is anyone using the older 80-200mm f/2.8 lens? Not the push pull but the newer one. I'm just starting to look, so if there are any suggestions to a 70-200 or an 80-200mm f/2.8 would be welcomed.

I'm not spending money on a Nikon 70-200mm VR lens unless I'm all out of other options.
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
Went to an Asian festival in Knoxville today and I realized that I need a 2.8 lens that goes out to at least 200mm.

There were a lot of people walking around in their Asian native dress. There were dancers and performers. It was a very colorful event. The problem is that these type of events are usually very crowded, and you can't always get close enough to get a nice shot with a nice out of focus background.
I was using the 70-300mm which is a very nice lens, but at f/5.6 it's hard to get a nice out of focus background when you're not in close taking a shot.

Is anyone using the older 80-200mm f/2.8 lens? Not the push pull but the newer one. I'm just starting to look, so if there are any suggestions to a 70-200 or an 80-200mm f/2.8 would be welcomed.

I'm not spending money on a Nikon 70-200mm VR lens unless I'm all out of other options.
Can't even begin to tell you how much I love, love, LOVE my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD.

In fact I'm going to go hug mine, right now.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Can't even begin to tell you how much I love, love, LOVE my Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD.

In fact I'm going to go hug mine, right now.

Yes, I'm researching that one as well. I really really can't spend much money right now. That is why I was asking about the 80-200, but I am open to suggestions.
If my 70-300mm came in a f/2.8 offering, that would be one sweet assed lens. (but very heavy I would imagine)
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Went to an Asian festival in Knoxville today and I realized that I need a 2.8 lens that goes out to at least 200mm.

There were a lot of people walking around in their Asian native dress. There were dancers and performers. It was a very colorful event. The problem is that these type of events are usually very crowded, and you can't always get close enough to get a nice shot with a nice out of focus background.
I was using the 70-300mm which is a very nice lens, but at f/5.6 it's hard to get a nice out of focus background when you're not in close taking a shot.

Is anyone using the older 80-200mm f/2.8 lens? Not the push pull but the newer one. I'm just starting to look, so if there are any suggestions to a 70-200 or an 80-200mm f/2.8 would be welcomed.

I'm not spending money on a Nikon 70-200mm VR lens unless I'm all out of other options.

I very recently got rid of my 80-200 mm f/2.8 lens, which was the D model, not the AF-S one. It did not come close to IQ that the 70-200 AF-S lens that I own does. If you are going the Nikon 80-200 mm route, I'd research the AF-S model over the D model before making the purchase.

I do not second guess myself for getting the 70-200, as it is a much better lens. I've used mine so much that I've thought outfitting my bag so that I could just out it on a camera and leave it there.

What it really sounds like, though, is the 200 f/2!!! ;)

WM
 
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Blacktop

Senior Member
I very recently got rid of my 80-200 mm f/2.8 lens, which was the D model, not the AF-S one. It did not come close to IQ that the 70-200 AF-S lens that I own does. If you are going the Nikon 80-200 mm route, I'd research the SF-S model over the D model before making the purchase.

I do not second guess myself for getting the 70-200, as it is a much better lens. I've used mine so much that I've thought outfitting my bag so that I could just out it on a camera and leave it there.

What it really sounds like, though, is the 200 f/2!!! ;)

WM

Well yea. That's what I really need to be walking through crowds with.:) Maybe they make a 300mm f/1.4;)
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
Oh they do... Best part is, it weighs eight-ounces, has fantastic IQ and only costs $3!
But seriously. How much better would this shot look with a 2.8 lens? The bokeh would be creamy smooth, I bet.

Asian Festival, Knoxville,TN.jpg


This was taken with the 24-120 at f/4 that Mary had in her purse.
 
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Roy1961

Senior Member
Contributor
you could trade in that new mini laptop for one, the misses will only shout for a little while......... lol
 

salukfan111

Senior Member
Well yea. That's what I really need to be walking through crowds with.:) Maybe they make a 300mm f/1.4;)
180mm f/2.8 is really nice and will fit in the pocket of your cargo shorts when you want to swap lens. It is pretty good for indoors too. It's very expensive new but you can get one for 300-350 on ebay.

If you get the two ring 80-200 let us know how it turns out. I've been trying to score one for a while now and somebody always scoops me on ebay.



https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=nikkor 180mm f/2.8
These are all nice pictures.
 
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pendennis

Senior Member
One of the local camera shops has my Tokina 80-200 f2.8 for $350. I traded it for a Nikkor 70-200 f4. I liked the Tokina, but it's just gotten too heavy. Send me a private message, if your interested in the contact info.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
One of the local camera shops has my Tokina 80-200 f2.8 for $350. I traded it for a Nikkor 70-200 f4. I liked the Tokina, but it's just gotten too heavy. Send me a private message, if your interested in the contact info.

Thanks. I'm still researching. You have no idea what I go through before I buy gear. It';s going to take a few weeks at least before I narrow it down. Then it's going to take a week or two trying to talk myself out of spending the money. Once I decide to get something however, I need it like yesterday!

Took me about 3-4 months before I decided on the D750 over the D810:)
 

Lawrence

Senior Member
Can't even begin to tell you how much I love, love, LOVE my Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 DX - which equates almost to the 70-200 on full frame.

In fact I'm also going to go hug mine, right now.

 

Danno

Senior Member
I have been considering the same lens. Looking at the 80-200 two ring model. They seem to go fast on Ebay for about $650. I cannot afford the 70-200. It seems to be a good lens, looking at sample shots.
 

singlerosa_RIP

Senior Member
I used the 80-200 dual ring for 4 years before running into a deal on the 70-200 VRII that I couldn't pass up. While I like the faster focus and VR of the 70-200, the 80-200 is an awesome lens and I might still have it today had I not stumbled into a pristine 70-200 for half price. For around $500, the 80-200 is a fine lens and built like a tank. And, the AF-S version is even sweeter, from what I've heard.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
180mm f/2.8 is really nice and will fit in the pocket of your cargo shorts when you want to swap lens. It is pretty good for indoors too. It's very expensive new but you can get one for 300-350 on ebay.

https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=nikkor 180mm f/2.8
These are all nice pictures.

Pete, I own the 180mm f/2.8 lens. It is an excellent lens (lacks VR), but it isn't as hefty as an 80-200mm f/2.8 zoom. It means zooming with your feet though especially if you are too close. Not sure how it compares in price with the 80-200mm.
 

Blacktop

Senior Member
I used the 80-200 dual ring for 4 years before running into a deal on the 70-200 VRII that I couldn't pass up. While I like the faster focus and VR of the 70-200, the 80-200 is an awesome lens and I might still have it today had I not stumbled into a pristine 70-200 for half price. For around $500, the 80-200 is a fine lens and built like a tank. And, the AF-S version is even sweeter, from what I've heard.

Is this the one you're talking about? (dual ring)
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801287510-USE/nikon_1985_zoom_telephoto_80_200mm_f_2_8.html
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Blacktop I have the Nikkor 80-200 2.8 D

I cannot recommend it enough - it is absolutely killer.

I believe I have a couple pics on my surf thread taken with the lens I believe I posted multiple pics shot with the lens in my D1 Basketball thread as well.....

I bought mine apparently unused from my trusted LCS with case for $500.

They pop up all the time on craigslist, folks think they need to tech up another $2K to get the shot. Advantage Blacktop on his quest.

Forgive the link to the reviewer who cannot be named but this is my lens.....

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-D Review

His review in this case could not be more bang on.

Get one @Blacktop you will thank me. I am dead serious I would not trade my lens straight up for a new 70-200 f 2.8 VR. Not a chance, I love this thing. With the 2.8 and the ability to bump up ISO a bit on the D700 I have zero need for VR with what I shoot. I can get big shutter speeds in nearly all conditions. The picture in the post below was at dusk and shot from about 150 yards offshore. Shot RAW and cropped via Nikon capture NX-D. As you can see I still had one full stop in reserve at ISO 800 at 1/800.

The lens is heavy but I am very old school and prefer heft in my serious shooting. With the MB -D10 attached the D700 / 80-200 f 2.8 pairing is beast mode.
 
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hrstrat57

Senior Member

That is push pull the lens @singlerosa and I are talking about is 2 ring.....

I'm going out tomorrow surf shooting with it likely, if the swell is too big for me to surf instead.....or maybe I will surf and shoot!

edit, this is the lens....this price is too high you can do much better with patience.

Nikon 80-200 2.8

Here is a NC listing for the AFS version.....I have never seen one of these in the field apparently they are super hard to find.
another in SC same lens a bit beat but shouldn't matter...

Nikon 80-200 AF-S

Nikon 80-200 2.8

KEH has AFS version only, weird (worth $2/300 more? Dunno....again never seen or shot one)

https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-80-200mm-f-2-8-d-ed-if-af-s-autofocus-lens-77.html
 
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