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Archive 2017 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?

  
 
jtmiv
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


Dear Board,

I am a used buyer and I am in search of a mid range f2.8 zoom for use with a a Nikon D300.

In a perfect world I'd buy new, but for now I am looking at used lenses in the 70/80-200mm f2.8 range. I know that Nikon made several, some push-pull and some twist. What I don't know is there any of the Nikon versions that you would recommend? VR is relatively unimportant to me. It will be a lens used primarily outside in good light.

Thanks in advance,

Tim Murphy

Harrisburg, PA



Oct 22, 2017 at 06:21 PM
TooManyShots
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


Beware of the 80-200 f2.8 D versions, push/pull or two rings. Is a known issue the lens tends to back focusing when the shooting distance is under 20ft to 10ft, at the longer ends. No amount of AF fine tuning can fix it. I had one before and I had to rotate the actual front elements from its default position in order to fix the back focusing issues. And I had to mask the electrical contacts on the AF distance scale to fool my D7000 in thinking that the actual distance was never closer than 10ft. Only this way, the lens was actually pretty sharp at wide open on my D7000. At f2.8, I was seeing some CA and a bit of glow. By f3.5, the lens sharpens A LOT. The lens reaches its peak sharpness by F4. That's with my copy, which I sold.

Why these Nikon 80-200 f2.8 zooms behave this way? It has to do with the AF system on many of the Nikon DSLR. These lenses were never meant for DSLR. The only version that behaves well is the AF S 80-200 f2.8. However, that version suffers from AF motor issues. Based on what I read, the AF motor would usually die on you after several years...typically as soon as the AF motor is squealing.

The Push Pull version is not a bad deal since you can pick one up under $300. The AF fine tuning on the D300 MAY fix the lens back focusing issues or it may not. Getting the 2 ring version is a bit risky since the average price is around $600. You don't know if that particular copy would have back focusing issues....you have to ask the seller for that.

If I were you, I would save a bit more for the Tamron 70-200 f2.8 VC. I got my copy for $700. It has some front focusing issues but it is fixable...at least... And these older Nikon 80-200 zooms, not including the AF S version, don't have sealing in the front. You need a front filter to seal the front. Otherwise, MASSIVE amount of dusts and dirt can get in. If you are getting one of them used, just makes sure it is clean inside. I doubt it unless the seller has cleaned the inner lens elements themselves.....

Edited on Oct 22, 2017 at 08:03 PM · View previous versions



Oct 22, 2017 at 07:09 PM
May80
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


I loved my 80-200 af-s! It was incredibly sharp even wide open, built like a tank, and despite an autofocus squeak it lasted several years before I sold it. I'd buy it back in a heartbeat.

That being said, it's luck of the draw with that lens, and given current 70-200 af-s vr2 prices that's probably where I'd go next, if I didn't have a super sharp, easier hiking f4 version.

If you don't need f2.8 (you mentioned "good light") the f4 is an incredible bargain used.



Oct 22, 2017 at 07:53 PM
90 5.0
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


The 80-200 was a good lens, but good deals can be found on 70-200 vr-1’s.

For bargain value a clean 80-200 is hard to beat.




Oct 22, 2017 at 11:37 PM
TooManyShots
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


Forgot to mention that if you use LiveView AF, in your D300 would be the Tripod Mode, all of the 80-200 versions would focus correctly.....


Oct 22, 2017 at 11:53 PM
BodhiPaul
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 70/80-200 f2.8 for a D300?


I had a first-version 70-200 f2.8 VR on my D300. I was a match made in heaven. That version was a bit soft in the outer edges, but all us DXers only saw the yummy section in the middle. It's quite plentiful on the used market. I highly recommend it.


Oct 23, 2017 at 01:14 PM





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