AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED ... soft at f/2.8
- Thread starter kevyan
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Huh? I didn't crop anything. I'm using a D80, shot at 200mm, f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/2500sec.
?? Don't understand the part about the viewfinder thingy. But the pics were taken between 2m - 3m from the subject.
Override2Zion
Senior Member
Front/Back focusing is a known problem with the AF-D 80-200, My buddy and I have owned one before. We used it on the D200. Its only the later body models from Nikon that allows in-camera AF fine-tuning that will correct this problem, eg the D3 (Not sure if D300 has this function). On the D200, at f/2.8 wide open the lenses back focuses for me. I compensated by moving my camera slightly further after focusing and the images turned out sharp. Nikon calibrates your body's AF motor using the 50mm f1.4, so the problem will probably remain even after calibration by NSC. Hope this helps 
Override2Zion
Senior Member
Just to add, not sure of the TS is using the AF-D or AF-S version of the 80-200mm. The AF-S version might not be affected by the problem i mentioned above. Even if it does, it can be solved by NSC via re-calibration of the AF-S mechanism, which is not possible for the AF-D version.
Was quite disappointed by the back/front focusing at first..
The focus always run at minimum focusing distance for 200mm (about 1.5m to 2+m.)
Mount on tripod, try at 1.5m(200mm) and you'll see the focus way off..
80mm is perfectly fine..
solution: focus manually at that range(where you find the focus run)
BAD solution but its better than letting your $1k+ down to drain.
Other than this issue, the lens is performing super :thumbsup:
super sharp at wide open.
got this sunbird @200mm with manual focusing
My Flickr
btw, im using a D80.
Bullshit :thumbsd: to all who said the AFD 80-200 works perfectly fine on a D80.
Who wants to do manual focusing after buying this lens?
great disappointment :bheart:
i have tried 5 copies of the 80-200 2 touch and all i can say is that i'm pretty disappointed by its performance at 200mm, wide open, as mentioned by doggyhugs, focus accuracy is an issue as lens produces back/front focus.
if you're considering a 80-200, i'd say step it up the the 70-200 VR, and spend more for better focus accuracy.
if you're considering a 80-200, i'd say step it up the the 70-200 VR, and spend more for better focus accuracy.
iamblurblur
New Member
is the back/front focusing that bad? can D300 AF fine tune solve this issue? or it's just the lens built that causes the problem?
if you compare to 80-200 at 2.8 to 80-200 at F/4 or 180/2.8 at 2.8, all the 80-200s and 70-200VR apears softer.still sharp but softer in comparison. but would say that it is very usuable.
if you want sharpness at 2.8 get 85/1.8 shoot from f2.5 and 180/2.8 shoot at 2.8. results are much sharper. zoom with you legs
if you want sharpness at 2.8 get 85/1.8 shoot from f2.5 and 180/2.8 shoot at 2.8. results are much sharper. zoom with you legs
iamblurblur
New Member
sometimes zooms with legs are just impossible that's why not considering prime for candid shots. by the time i "leg zoom" to my subject i would have missied the moment. just wanted to get advice on 70-300vr compare to 80-200 2.8 to see if it's worth an upgrade opting out 70-200vr for it's price. thanks for a great advice on sharp lenses. it's a valueable knowledge!!!
the 1 touch AF-D version is the sharpest amongst the various incarnations.
i think the thread started is just not focusing right.
wearing glasses?
also under strong backlight, there is a chance for any lens to not focus well, not just this one.
andrewtansj
Senior Member
just gotten a copy... did a few test shots and realised there is either back or front focusing at 200mm as well... tried on tripod, 1st i shot using auto focus, then i tried another shot doing manual focus... the manual focus turns out sharp. obviously is the focusing issue rather then lens not being sharp... have sent to NSC, waiting for it to come back. not sure whether it helps anot...
And I still think the 70-200VR is sharper.. ;p
get this right,
we're not talking about softness of the lens at 2.8
we are refering to back/front focusing problems at minimum focusing range.
(i have AF problem at about 1.5m to 2+m as stated in the previous posts above)
just gotten a copy... did a few test shots and realised there is either back or front focusing at 200mm as well... tried on tripod, 1st i shot using auto focus, then i tried another shot doing manual focus... the manual focus turns out sharp. obviously is the focusing issue rather then lens not being sharp... have sent to NSC, waiting for it to come back. not sure whether it helps anot...
Hi,
can you update us about your copy when you get it back?
very curious if they can calibrate it..btw, what body model you're using?
andrewtansj
Senior Member
Hi,
can you update us about your copy when you get it back?
btw, what body model you're using?
am using d200, most prob will get it back next week... sure hope they can calibrate it...
I think that every zoom lenses got their own sweet spot from certain zoom range. Maybe this lens sharpness will be slightly better if you zoom between 95-185mm?
Anyway, have fun...
I think that every zoom lenses got their own sweet spot from certain zoom range. Maybe this lens sharpness will be slightly better if you zoom between 95-185mm?
Anyway, have fun...
agree. just that there are many who spend 1k or 2 and expect the lens to be flawless. Instead of using the sweet spot, some tends to focus at the weakest point of the lens and think its lousy.
the problem just magnify itself. i have once got a 80-200 with focusing problems w fuji s2. you just can't get a sharp pic at 2.8. though i can send for service, i sold it to 2nd shop at a very low price cos the person who sold me the lens refunded me 150 when i contacted him. i think he already know the problem when he sold me the lens. my 70-200 is sharp at 2.8...but nothing compared to 180/2.8
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