Buying Nikkon 80-200mm AF-D Push/Pull vs Nikkor 55-200mm VR

[gryffinwings]

I'm just curious, would you buy a Nikkor 80-200mm AF-D Push/Pull over a Nikkor 55-200mm VR? Specifically, I'll be using this with my Nikon D7100. The prices are not too far apart.

I can get:

1. Nikkor 80-200mm AF-D Push/Pull - under $400 used in EX condition at KEH.

2. Nikkor 55-200mm VR - This is just $250.

What would you do?

 

[KmH]

No doubt. What I did was I got the faster, FX 80-200 mm f/2.8 that is a constant aperture zoom (can be f/2.8 at any focal length between 80 and 200 mm) and has professional grade optics and is built like a tank.

The DX 55-200 is a f/4-f/5.6 variable aperture (can only be f/4 at or close to 55 mm - then the maximum aperture changes as the lens is zoomed towards 200 mm where just before 200 mm the aperture reaches f/5.8) consumer grade kit lens. The optics are decent but the build quality is commensurate with the price - low.

Good camera holding technique negates the need for VR and VR should be turned off most of the time anyway.
The 80-200 will not AF on your D5100, but the D5100 has a manual focusing aid - Rangefinder mode - page 159 of the D5100 Reference Manual.

The AF-S 55-200 mm f/4-5.6G VR never made it onto my list of lenses worth buying.
If you are going to go that route, get a good used copy this FX lens instead of the 55-200 - Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens
The 70-300 is about the best lens value Nikon currently has, but it's still not as good optically as the push/pull 80-200 mm f/2.8.

 

[gryffinwings]

No doubt. What I did was I got the faster, FX 80-200 mm f/2.8 that is a constant aperture zoom (can be f/2.8 at any focal length between 80 and 200 mm) and has professional grade optics and is built like a tank.

The DX 55-200 is a f/4-f/5.6 variable aperture (can only be f/4 at or close to 55 mm - then the maximum aperture changes as the lens is zoomed towards 200 mm where just before 200 mm the aperture reaches f/5.8) consumer grade kit lens. The optics are decent but the build quality is commensurate with the price - low.

Good camera holding technique negates the need for VR and VR should be turned off most of the time anyway.
The 80-200 will not AF on your D5100, but the D5100 has a manual focusing aid - Rangefinder mode - page 159 of the D5100 Reference Manual.

You really should read my post more carefully, I will be using this lens with my D7100. I know it won't work with my Nikon D5100.

 

[KmH]

I'm just curious, would you buy a Nikkor 80-200mm AF-D Push/Pull over a Nikkor 55-200mm VR? Specifically, I'll be using this with my Nikon D7100. The prices are not too far apart.

I can get:

1. Nikkor 80-200mm AF-D Push/Pull - under $400 used in EX condition at KEH.

2. Nikkor 55-200mm VR - This is just $250.

What would you do?

You really should read my post more carefully, I will be using this lens with my D7100. I know it won't work with my Nikon D5100.

I did read it carefully.

Your post does not say that you knew the 80-200 will not AF on a D5100.

Most of the people that visit TPF aren't members, so the information I included about the D5100 may help them make a better informed lens buying decision.

 

[Mike_E]

What are you going to shoot with the lens?

An f2.8 is a big lens and if you aren't using it as an f2.8 then you may find that you leave it at home rather than have to carry it.

But, having said that, the f2.8 is a really good piece of gear.

 

[Patriot]

May I ask if the optics in the 80-200 the same in both models? Or is it a major upgrade between the push pull and the two ring model? I can't afford a 70-200mm lens as that is waaaaaay out of my budget, but I wouldn't mind picking one up for $400 if the IQ is worth it. I don't need super fast auto focus. I want to use mines for portraits and such.

 

[djacobox372]

Optics of the push pull are comparable to the 2 ring and afs versions of the 80-200mm. I've owned all three and optically they seemed identical.

I'd rate it about the same as the older 70-200mm vr1, but not quite as good as the new vr2.

 

[coastalconn]

I have a 80-200 AF non-d in the buy and sell. $250 shipped if your interested PM me.. I could care less if you but mine, but I would much rather have an 80-200 F2.8 than the 55-200... They are big and heavy but having a constant 2.8 aperture is a pretty nice option.

 

[Derrel]

I just looked this up: AF Zoom~NIKKOR 80-200/2.8 ED: 16 elements/11 groups, 3 ED elements., 2 lbs 10.3 oz-NO TRIPOD ring, ONE ring design.

2-Intro in 1992: the AF-D NIKKOR model of the 80-200/2.8ED: different limiter switch, 3.5 oz heavier.

3-AF-D NIKKOR 80-200 "two ring". Introduced Photkina 1996. NEW is an L-shaped tripod mount. 16 element design, new limiter switch design.

4-AF-S Zoom~NIKKOR 80200 f/2.8: Introduced at Photokina 1998: 3lb 2.8 oz without tripod bracket. Silent Wave focus motor focuses almost instantly;three "Focus Lock Buttons" on the lens barrel. NEW 18-element in 14 group optical design features Five ED-glass elements. Aperture diaphragm is now rounded, with 9 blades, for better out of focus rendering. Build includes aluminum casing and carbon fibre materials; this lens is compatible with Nikon's TC14e, TC17e, and TC20e AF-S type converters.

 

[bigal1000]

No doubt. What I did was I got the faster, FX 80-200 mm f/2.8 that is a constant aperture zoom (can be f/2.8 at any focal length between 80 and 200 mm) and has professional grade optics and is built like a tank.

The DX 55-200 is a f/4-f/5.6 variable aperture (can only be f/4 at or close to 55 mm - then the maximum aperture changes as the lens is zoomed towards 200 mm where just before 200 mm the aperture reaches f/5.8) consumer grade kit lens. The optics are decent but the build quality is commensurate with the price - low.

Good camera holding technique negates the need for VR and VR should be turned off most of the time anyway.
The 80-200 will not AF on your D5100, but the D5100 has a manual focusing aid - Rangefinder mode - page 159 of the D5100 Reference Manual.

You really should read my post more carefully, I will be using this lens with my D7100. I know it won't work with my Nikon D5100.

A little respect goes along way I think he was just trying to help out ..........

 

[astroNikon]

From what I recall before I bought my 80-200 /2.8 2-ring
there was at least a lens coating change at some point in the push-pull to the 2-ring.

I tried to find that info.. but it wasn't on mir.com
which has 5 separate pages to the old push pull
MF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm Lenses Part IV

it could have been from here
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 History

or a variety of other sources out there.
happy reading

 

[astroNikon]

I have a 80-200 AF non-d in the buy and sell. $250 shipped if your interested PM me.. I could care less if you but mine, but I would much rather have an 80-200 F2.8 than the 55-200... They are big and heavy but having a constant 2.8 aperture is a pretty nice option.

That is a great deal
If I didn't already have one, I'd get yours

 

[Patriot]

Optics of the push pull are comparable to the 2 ring and afs versions of the 80-200mm. I've owned all three and optically they seemed identical.

I'd rate it about the same as the older 70-200mm vr1, but not quite as good as the new vr2.

That's good enough for me. Should make a nice portrait lens.

 

[KmH]

The AF 80-200 mm f/2.8 (non-D) was made from 1988 to 1992. The AF 80-200 mm f/2.8D came out in 1993 and was made until 1997 when the still being made 2-ring AF 80-200 mm f/2.8D replaced it.

The D means a lens CPU sends distance information to the camera. Distance information makes focus more accurate and the distance info is used with TTL flash too.

For those that don't know it, all of Nikon's AF-S lenses are D lenses too.

 

[gryffinwings]

@KmH - Sorry for the response, it's just that I've seen this kind of post several times and I'm thinking, I don't need to be told a million times that I know this is a screw type focusing lens and it won't work on my D5100, and that can frustrate me sometimes.

Aside from that I think I will definitely consider the AF-D Push/Pull for my D7100, I think for now, that lens is the best bang for the buck.

For those that use this lens, I'm told that the lens is slow to focus, but how is it when prefocused?