longkangman
Senior Member
Another lens I try recently is the 200mmf2 not bad too. 

just tried my friend`s 50/1.2, it is lovely on the D2H. But then I cant seem to figure out why the aperture on the top LCD doesnt correspond to the aperture that I set manually on the lens.
Because the 45mm is a P lens with a built in CPU.ok that I did not know. only have the 45mm and it doesnt require manual input. Thanks for the heads up.
Wah.. I din even know there's a non-ED version of the 180/2.8! ;pGetting a 180mm f2.8 ED soon to try...
Interested in test out the diff between the ED version and the non ED one before it.
I currently own the 180mm non ED and it is already fantastic, in terms of sharpness, contrast etc.. i find that it renders very good and vibrant colours, probably exceeding the 105mm f2.5 even..
Anyone here has used either or both and care to comment? thanks![]()
Wah.. I din even know there's a non-ED version of the 180/2.8! ;p
Then in that case, it may not just be presence/absence of CA because the construction of the lens might be different also, so SA etc will be affected also.Yeah...it is probably a pre-AI version.
Technically, the difference between an ED version vs non-ED version should be just the Chromatic Aberration (CA). Try shooting subjects with hard dark to light transitions, such as leaves and branches against a bright sky. and check the images out a 100%. Presence of CA will cause images to look less-sharp in non hard transitions. So, the overall effect of using ED elements is that of increased sharpness in lenses of long focal length (telephoto).
Then in that case, it may not just be presence/absence of CA because the construction of the lens might be different also, so SA etc will be affected also.
In that case, then the AF one will be different from the MF copy. But I'm really not sure if the ED and the non-ED version is of the same construction. ;pThe construction need not be different. It may be simply replacing the same element with one made with ED glass. I am quite sure this is in fact the case with the lens in question, ie, the 180/f2.8. So, SA characteristic should remain the same, but with increased sharpness on the focused plane.
The current AF-D 180/f2.8 has got 8 elements (compared with the old 6 elements) because Nikon made it IF. They had to add 2 more elements in order to achieve IF.
In that case, then the AF one will be different from the MF copy. But I'm really not sure if the ED and the non-ED version is of the same construction. ;p
Yeah...it is probably a pre-AI version.
Technically, the difference between an ED version vs non-ED version should be just the Chromatic Aberration (CA). Try shooting subjects with hard dark to light transitions, such as leaves and branches against a bright sky. and check the images out a 100%. Presence of CA will cause images to look less-sharp in non hard transitions. So, the overall effect of using ED elements is that of increased sharpness in lenses of long focal length (telephoto).
Thanks! Very comprehensive.There are actually 5 versions of the 180/2.8 (not including the 2 pre-AI ones)
The Ai version (without the ED designation) was 5 elements in 4 groups. The Ai-S version (with ED designation) was 5 elements in 5 groups. The 3 AF versions all have 8 elements in 6 groups.
Lens Serial Numbers Date Optic Focus Macro Filter Diam Length Weight Hood
Ai 180/2.8 360001 - 377928 - - 5/4 1.8 1:8 72 82 132.5 880 built-in
Ai-S 180/2.8 ED 380001 - 454048 - Mar81 - Dec05 5/5 1.8 1:7.5 72 78.5 130 800 built-in
AF 180/2.8 IF-ED 200001 - 210854 - Sep86 - 1988 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 750 built-in
AF 180/2.8 IF-ED New 250001 - 299557 - Nov88 - Aug95 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 760 built-in
AF 180/2.8 D IF-ED 400001 - 418916 > Dec94 > 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 760 built-in
There are actually 5 versions of the 180/2.8 (not including the 2 pre-AI ones)
The Ai version (without the ED designation) was 5 elements in 4 groups. The Ai-S version (with ED designation) was 5 elements in 5 groups. The 3 AF versions all have 8 elements in 6 groups.
Lens Serial Numbers Date Optic Focus Macro Filter Diam Length Weight Hood
Ai 180/2.8 360001 - 377928 - - 5/4 1.8 1:8 72 82 132.5 880 built-in
Ai-S 180/2.8 ED 380001 - 454048 - Mar81 - Dec05 5/5 1.8 1:7.5 72 78.5 130 800 built-in
AF 180/2.8 IF-ED 200001 - 210854 - Sep86 - 1988 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 750 built-in
AF 180/2.8 IF-ED New 250001 - 299557 - Nov88 - Aug95 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 760 built-in
AF 180/2.8 D IF-ED 400001 - 418916 > Dec94 > 8/6 1.5 1:6.6 72 78.5 144 760 built-in
Erm.. ED is not a coating. It's a special glass formulated to reduce dispersion. Previously fluorite was used but Nikon found it to be too fragile so they developed ED glass.Mine with 375XXX would be the first version then. Great im on the way to having both manual versions.. I will try them both out and see the both versions actually have ED coating. If so then might considering selling one set away.
Just got my 35f1.4, 85f2 and nikon-EOS mount adaptor with AF confirmation chip today.. :lovegrin: :thumbsup:
Nope my 180mm is AI/AIS (must go check) but non ED.. Got it from a very nice elderly gentleman at a more than reasonable price. Damn sad i haven had the chance to fully utilise it since getting it. But occassional test never fail to impress.
So from your point, i should not see a sharper and better colour range image with the ED version if im not shooting in conditions prone to flare?