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This is one of the best zoom lenses I have purchased. It's crystal clear and most photography buffs & pros would rate this highly. Its so much fun to use & by adding the settings of max apature and focal length this can work well with your Nikon DSLR. The zoom is ultra smooth and the metal lens feels solid in your hands. Not many new lenses can reproduce the quality build of a classic Nikkor.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this lens because I've had read several reviews about it's superb sharpness. As I do also landscape, I was looking for something that is sharp not only in the center, but also by the frame edges and corners of a full frame hi-res DSLR. Well, this lens does quite good in this respect, and by F8 (the only setting I compared side bu side so far), center sharpness is on pair with my AF-S 70-200/2.8 VR (I), corner sharpness is even notably better, especially for the longer zoom settings. The only weaker setting for this old AI-S is the shortest one - 80 mm, but even there, it doesn't look any worse than the modern AF-S pro-zoom. Compared to the probably lightest and smallest 80-200 Nikon zoom, the AF-D 80-200/4.5-5.6, this old manual 80-200/4.5 AI-S is absolute winner optically, with better sharpness and contrast both in the center and especially by the frame edges. As for the size and weight, well, it's not exactly light one, nor exactly small one. But still, it's better than any of those F2.8 versions around. What you might miss is the tripod collar, and, for such quite a long telephoto zoom, the vibration reduction. And what you definitely should be careful about is the condition of the push-pull zoom-focus ring. On my item, it's really loose, a little wobbling and the focus stops are not perfectly aligned with infinity nor the closest focusing distance. On the other old lenses that I have or had, fixed and zooms, it always was in perfect alignment. Also the zooming is not as good as one would like. Someone in the past had applied small amount of vaseline to the lens tube, so the zoom is a little sticky, with variable resistance as you overcome the first stickiness, though not sticky enough to prevent the zoom creep - a common issue for the old lenses of this particular zoom construction. At least the optics and aperture blades are clean from the vaseline and it doesn't affect optical performance. Unfortunately, official Nikon Czech told me that they do not service, nor provide parts, for this old design lens anymore. After all that, it's a nice lens if you are lucky and get one in good condition, without those unprofessional repair attempts.Read full review
This is a very capable lens worthy of use on even a new Nikon. Manual focus is not an issue for most of us, and the only drawback I have seen is the weird old style zoom. If the lens points the least bit downward it will have zoom creep just sitting on a tripod. One reviewer mentions using electrical tape to tighten up the fit...I'm not sure if that is worth doing or where the tape would go and not be in the way. I have used mine on a D3200 and D60, and on either it takes nice sharp pictures when I focus it well. If you are on a tight budget and need a zoom occasionally, this lens will work well. If you need autofocus, buy a newer zoom..
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Secretly known by the most knowledgeable of photographers is that this telephoto lens is one of the best zoom lenses that was developed at the time. Despite the fact that in this era zoom lenses still had a lot of improving to build upon, since most zooms were not that sharp. This was not one of them. This 80-200mm f/4.5 AI Nikkor was one of the few that, in quality and sharpness, faired quite well next to all the best prime lenses of the time. Despite what the populous might feel about vintage lenses that you have to manually focus. The truth is that much more than a few of these AI and AI-S lenses can still give you sharp beautiful images on your DSLR or mirrorless. A certain quality of standard of that era is mostly unmatched today, and in a few cases are still made new to this day because of it. Not only is the quality of resulting image exceptional at times, the quality of build as well. Mostly consisting of metal, this line of lenses are far more durable than most lenses today that are made mostly of plastic. The other advantage is that there are no electrical components that may fail, so the life of the lenses can be virtually infinite if maintained properly.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Nikon 80-200 f4.5 Ai manual focus zoom is a superb optic. Very sharp thru out the zoom range. I use a 52mm uv filter to cut haze and protect the front glass, along with a Nikon HS-7 lens hood to prevent flare. The common zoom slip issue can be cured with 2 or 3 pieces of black electrical tape on the back of the lens barrel. Excellent Nikon lens.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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