I just bought a used nikkor ais 80-200/F4 in Tokyo for around 350USD, the feel is nice but Nikon seems have long discontinued it. Is the lense worth it, any one still use the lense could share the experience?

Thanks.

-- Benny Bian (bian@sinotrans.com), August 18, 1999

Answers

'Outdated ?' - Never heard of autofocus lenses? They have probably a better market potential.

-- Ivan Verschoote (ivan.verschoote@rug.ac.be), August 19, 1999.

Yes, the old MF Nikkor 80-200mm/f4 AF-S zoom is a completely out of date lens and is practically worthless now. You should dispose it immediately by mailing it to me. :-)

Seriously, the 80-200mm/f4 is a fine lens. It is a relatively old design, but 80-200 is such a useful range and Nikon now has four different versions of their f2.8 AF zoom. Obviously the newer models have an extra f2.8 stop, ED elements, and the advantage of AF, but if you don't need AF and prefer a smaller and lighter lens, the old MF f4 is still an excellent lens to use today. And US$350 seems to be a pretty good deal assuming your lens is in good shape.

-- Shun Cheung (shun@worldnet.att.net), August 20, 1999.

I think the 80-200 f4 AIS suffered in popularity because how good the cheap 70-210 f4 Series E (and the 75-150 f3.5 Series E) lens was and because the older 80-200 f4.5 AI lens was pretty good too.

That said, the 80-200 f4 AIS is better than any f4.5-5.6 80-200 (or 70-210) AF zoom that Nikon ever put out, and $350 seems like a fair price.

-- Geoffrey S. Kane (grendel@pgh.nauticom.net), August 20, 1999.

Best thing to do is try the lens. It may not be fast enough but this lens is tacky sharp with high contrast, the best in its class during its time, may even rival newer mf or af zooms today.

August

-- August Agoncillo (finefotos44@hotmail.com), December 27, 2001.