I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this kind of message, but here I am posting this for those of you who might interested in Nikon's new products. If you find this message to be imappropriate, please erase this thread.

I was browsing the net and came across the picture of both long-waited new AF-S zoom lenses: AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8IF-ED and AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8IF-ED. You can see these pictures at;

http://www.klt.co.jp/photokina_98/eng/afs_zoom.html

What do you think, those Nikon-users ? Do you think these lenses will be as popular as Nikon hopes in this article ? In terms of you, would you rush to a camera store and grab yours, or make a change from the older versions ? And, why is that ? I'm just curious to know because I'm, at least, the one who is interested in these lenses. Also, I am anxious to know if Nikon is coming out with new AF-S 300mm f/4EDIF, but that's another story, I guess. Thank you for any posts in advance.

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (hiroshis@networkusa.net), September 17, 1998

Answers

I am a Canon user, so my knowledge of Nikon gear is limited, as is my interest. However, this is exactly the type of post I created this forum for, regardless of brand name. In other words, yes this is the right place to post such a comment. I am sure the Nikon users are happy to see it!

-- Brad (reloader@webtv.net), September 17, 1998.

Hiroshi, these could very easily become Nikon's hottest selling lenses in years (let's face it, not every PJ needs a 400 2.8). About the only thing that could hurt the success of these lenses would be a noticible decrease in optical quality. After all, if you REALLY wanted an 80-200 2.8 with a motor in it, you'd have bought an EOS years ago. I suppose that if these lenses drained battery power at an alarming rate, that could also be an issue.

I wouldn't be suprised if the steet price for the 80-200 was around $1500-$2000 when the lens is released; however, I'm expect major newspapers and magazines to gladly fork over the dough. Once demand drops, and the lens is available outside of NPS; I'm quite certain the price will become more reasonable.

As for me, well I use an F3, so there's no compelling reason to get one; however, I'm hoping that some of the older lenses will flood the used market and drop the prices. But first, there's an MD-4 that's really tempting me. --Jeff

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), September 18, 1998.

Hi, Jeff.

Thank you for your input. You stated "As for me, well I use an F3, so there's no compelling reason to get one; however, I'm hoping that some of the older lenses will flood the used market and drop the prices." Well, that's the thing I had in my mind and wanted hear from others. As for me, I'm also using F3HP w/MD-4 along with F90x so that AF-S zoom would be a nice addition to my lenses. The built-in motors to these lenses can be very good EXTRAS if the price being equal. On the other hand, if they bring down the price for the older lenses on used market, the older ones can be better buys for those who don't need faster AF.

So, I think the answer depends on whether you need faster AF speed /extra range of focal length (28-70mm) or put your priority to the price. And this is the thing I want to hear from you. Thanks for farther input.

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (hiroshis@networkusa.net), September 20, 1998.

Hiroshi, I am just back from the Photokina Koln. I was very anxious to see the new AF-S lenses. The 28-70/2.8 AF-S was a demo one and was presented in a glass box. All I remember is that it was very well built but it looked VERY big and heavy with an gigantic hood (flower-shape). I could however put my hand on a 80-200/2.8 AF-S to see how it was performing. As expected it was extremely fast AND silent without no hesitation of AF. BUT IT WAS A MONSTER TO HANDLE ! Weight 1550 grams! It is 2 cm longer also + it has an enormous hood (double the size of the old HB-7 hood !). It is possible to use the lens on all the new camera's (F70, F90, F90X, F4 and F5) with the AF-S technology. The tripod collar CAN be removed and the TC14E and TC20E are fully compatible. Both lenses wil be available in the beginning of 1999. The (expected) selling price in Germany: 3500 DM for each = about 2000 US$. Personnaly I am convinced to keep my current 80-200/2.8 D New. What about the 28-70/2.8 AF-S? Well I think that the price tag is really ridiculous to buy one. The customer will have the last word I think. Ivan

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be), September 22, 1998.

Ivan, is the new AF-S 80-200 2.8 a one touch zoom or a two touch zoom (i.e. is the same ring used for foucus and zooming, or are there two separate rings)?

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), September 22, 1998.

Geoffrey,

it is a 2-touch zoom. It has also a focus-limiter. And may'be the most important update is the optical one : 18 lenses in 14 groups with 5 ED glasses in it. Min focus is still 1.5 meter.

Ivan

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be), September 23, 1998.

Last rumour; Both Nikon 80-200/2.8 AFS and "normal 2.8" will still be sold side by side. Ivan

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be), September 25, 1998.

Well, it's nice to hear that the competition is finally catching up, after so many years of lagging behind. Hope is the last thing to die, so some day Nikon users will have IS too:-)

-- Paulo Bizarro (pbizarro@expro.pt), September 29, 1998.

Someday Canon users might have in-camera flash confirmation and a decent viewfinder display, too, but I doubt it.

-- Danny Weber (danny_weber@compuserve.com), October 01, 1998.

The price of new 80-200 F2.8 (not the S version) has certainly dropped. Adorama has it for $770 (gray) and $870 (new).

-- Chris Hawkins (peace@clover.net), December 16, 1998.

i wonder about danny's comments too. it seems to this engineer that adding the two things danny mentioned would be a piece of cake compared to designing an IS lens. i wonder why canon doesn't. but i also wonder why nikon doesn't put mirror lockup/prefire and dof preview on it's non F bodies either. another relatively easy set of things to do it seems to me.

i figure it must be marketing instead of engineering that's driving these descisions.

-- Sean Hester (seanh@ncfweb.net), December 17, 1998.

I have been holding off getting a AF 80-200/2.8 for several years. First because it didn't have a tripod collar (I hated that!). Then because I didn't have the bucks to buy the one with the tripod collar when it came out. I finally got the bucks saved, but then the "hearsay" of a new AF-S version was coming out this year! I figured I'd wait and see how it was going to look and then get the one with the tripod collar anyway... I'm very happy that I waited! It looks like this is going to be one of Nikon's top lenses, and it's going to be affordable for the advanced amateur photographer too.

A removable tripod collar, nine-blade rounded diaphragm, five ED elements, and is completely AF compatible with the TC-14E, and TC-20E teleconverters (did someone say AF-S 400/5.6??)! I think Nikon just might have got this lens right! I'll be letting you all know in a few months, after I shoot a few rolls of film with it.

-- Jim Bridges (jcbejb@worldnet.att.net), December 18, 1998.

FYI only. There is some information on AF-S zoom lenses at Nikon Japan's home page. Finally, you can read it in English! Check out the following.

http://www.klt.co.jp/Nikon/PPD/Lineup/Lenses/index.html

-- Hiroshi Shigematsu (pooh02@earthlink.net), December 22, 1998.