AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED ... soft at f/2.8

[ice15]

anyone tried using this lens with a D90? I'm planning to get one but I really have no patience in using Manual Focus.

 

[cutecdo]

Oh 1 more finding I missed out:

For close distance (macro mode from distance scale), if using MF, I can get very sharp image for 200mm at wide open f/2.8.

Is there a macro mode for this lens???

 

[ice15]

Hi, ill just bump this thread as I am still waiting for any D90 users who have tried using this lens.

 

[Kunioo]

Is there a macro mode for this lens???

There is no switch for the macro mode, just you can focus more closely (the distance scale indicate it is not in macro focus distance, abt 1.5m).
The macro magnification is not great.
I have experience to put a 25mm extension tube for more closer focus for macro shooting (abt 1.1m).
But again you can put a 1.4X or 2X to it for macro without changing the min focus distance.

 

[blissfoo]

Apart from Lens fault, it could result from camera also.
I mean the camera mount.

The best way to test is to borrow another body from a friend and another sharp lens known to your friend.

Step 1: Mount your friend's sharp lens, shoot and enlarge.
Step 2: Mount yr 80-200 to your friend's camera body, shoot and enlarge.

You can tell if your mounting is in alignment or not.

 

[achanth]

This is a good discusssion...as I was always trying to determine whether to get this lens, vs the more expensive 70-200VR, which is good for DX but not for full frame.

As a result, I used Tamron, but had to look for a sharp copy.

I think, it is the same for 80-200mm lens, you need to hunt and look for a sharp copy...at $1000+, I am not sure why the manufacturers do not take this focusing into consideration

_____________________________________________________________________________
visit www.photography-camera.com or www.photography-xylec.blogspot.com for beginner's photography

 

[acerpic]

I like this lens. Mine is 80-200mm AFD-N. It helped me won the 2nd prize in LIF2007.

Some shots taken using this in Marathon 2007. M2007

Of course if can afford the AFS version, go for it for better/faster focusing.
But tis lens sure good value for $$$.

 

[ksaurus]

Are you using full frame? Heard that full frame using this lens has no problem at 200mm f/2.8.

I am not using full frame. I am using D90 with AF-S version of 80-200mm.

 

[Kunioo]

I think Nikon unable to do something about this lens as this was designed at 1997.

Still I am getting good image with this lens beside its limitation. Here is 1 of my recent shot at Chinese Garden with 80-200 + 2X converter. Take with f/4 if I didn't wrong.

Hope I can crunch more good photo from this investment!

 

[luna_sea83]

For those asking D90 users with this lens, i would say just get it, been using for quite a while now, not much of an issue here