Derrel! or anyone with first hand knowledge on this lens....

[jake337]

So I'm thinking about picking up a used Nikkor 180mm f2.8 AIS. The lens in question serial number is 422813 so I b elieve that would place it in the mid 90's.

Speaking to the employee at the store it has beautiful glass front/rear and is rated as E condition.

They are asking $250. Too much?

I plan on heading there tomorrow to give it a spin and check it out.

Any specifics areas on this lens I should check? Oily diaphragm, etc?

 

[Robin Usagani]

dude, if you want to know how much things should cost.. go to ebay.com. Do a search on completed items and see how much they sell for. Remember, local seller will probably willing to sell it slightly lower because they dont have to ship it and no ebay fee. Also check out fredmiranda.com forum. Do a search for that lens under buy and sell.

 

[jake337]

dude, if you want to know how much things should cost.. go to ebay.com. Do a search on completed items and see how much they sell for. Remember, local seller will probably willing to sell it slightly lower because they dont have to ship it and no ebay fee. Also check out fredmiranda.com forum. Do a search for that lens under buy and sell.

I've checked KEH, Adorama, B&H photo and the price seams reasonable.

I cannot go to ebay while at work, blocked.

More looking on any certain issues with the lens that individuals may have come across in their use of it.

Looks to be a fine portrait lens.

 

[djacobox372]

That price is fair for retail. Its a great lens for those that cant afford a 70-80mm2.8 or 80-200mm 2.8. Performance is similar(excellent).If u can afford $400, u might consider a 80-200mm 2.8 afd instead--the single.ring version sells for around $400 on ebay

 

[zamanakhan]

if the price i similar to keh, buy from keh, they have a return policy. I've been screwed by ebay before.

 

[djacobox372]

if the price i similar to keh, buy from keh, they have a return policy. I've been screwed by ebay before.

How exactly were you screwed by ebay? Unless u mistakenly buy something that is listed as "for parts not working," i dont see how its possible to be screwed as a buyer on ebay using paypal. In the past they only covered $250, so it was risky for expensive purchases, but now they cover 100% and will always side with the buyer in a dispute unless the seller can provide evidence of fraud.

Ive been screwed by ebay as a seller, but as a buyer it's bullet proof.

 

[jake337]

Picked it up at 20% off too. Played around with it this afternoon.

 

[jake337]

I'd like to add I'm very happy with National Camera Exchange. Although it took them 5 days to transfer the lens from Burnsville, Mn to Maple Grove, Mn they still gave me the 20% discount sale they had running Monday!

 

[Derrel]

I did not see your post until this very minute,five days after you made it...I was gone almost all day Saturday and all day Sunday as well. Glad you got the 180/2.8! I still own my 1984 model, and it still shoots as well as the day I bought it off of a buddy for $595 back in "1985 dollars"...$595 was over two months' rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($240 per mo back then!). That lens has a wonderful, high-precision mechanical helicoid focusing system, and so it actually works quite well as a manual focusing lens on a modern camera.

 

[jake337]

I did not see your post until this very minute,five days after you made it...I was gone almost all day Saturday and all day Sunday as well. Glad you got the 180/2.8! I still own my 1984 model, and it still shoots as well as the day I bought it off of a buddy for $595 back in "1985 dollars"...$595 was over two months' rent for a 2-bedroom apartment ($240 per mo back then!). That lens has a wonderful, high-precision mechanical helicoid focusing system, and so it actually works quite well as a manual focusing lens on a modern camera.

Yeah the manual focusing is beautiful. I figure there is a reason all these new AF-S models have "on the fly" manual focus override!

Now I need to upgrade my focusing screen at some point here. Or grab an F100.