A casual lens test: 18-70 vs 80-200

marcwang · 28th January 2005

This is a less than fair, and totally casual lens comparison between the 18-70mm AFS and 80-200 f2.8 ED-IF 2 touch. For your viewing pleasure.

If you dislike brick wall testing, just close the window and walk away peacefully.

ParkertR · 28th January 2005

thanks for the reviews man!!

im proudda my kit lens!!!! WOOHOOO

melnjes · 28th January 2005

Just to add to marcwang's test results, do consider other attributes besides sharpness.

I have both lenses and would consider the 18-70 as a competent lens but not in the same league as the 80-200. Pictures taken with the 80-200 somehow have that extra oomph that the 18-70 does not have, think the 80-200 has better contrast? Pics taken with the 18-70 appear flat in comparison. I was just telling my wife yesterday that I would consider ditching the 18-70 if I ever have the spare cash and get the 17-55.

Anyway the two lenses cover different ranges and hence are for different use.

marcwang · 28th January 2005

This is entirely a sharpness test, nothing more.

It is clear that the 80-200 is better, but the point of this test was to see how much better. The test results show that the difference is actually quite small, and that sharpness is not an issue with the kit lens.

I wouldnt be surprised if the kit lens would better 3rd party f2.8s like the Sigma 24-70f2.8 even when they costs quite a bit more. The trait with Nikkors is that performance is fantastic right across the rated aperture range, they can sometimes be a bit conservative about it just to ensure decent performance wide open. I have several 3rd party lenses which claim unbelievably large apertures, but they are quite bad used wide open.

But of course, sometimes.... we need that extra stop of light, and would prefer to forgo sharpness over camera shake. For that, the Sigma 20mmf1.8 comes to the rescue.

28th January 2005	#1
marcwang Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: East Singapore Posts: 1,023	A casual lens test: 18-70 vs 80-200 This is a less than fair, and totally casual lens comparison between the 18-70mm AFS and 80-200 f2.8 ED-IF 2 touch. For your viewing pleasure. If you dislike brick wall testing, just close the window and walk away peacefully. __________________ Marc Wang Photography

28th January 2005	#2
ParkertR Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Singapore/Thailand Posts: 5,804	thanks for the reviews man!! im proudda my kit lens!!!! WOOHOOO __________________ Budget wedding photographer :)

28th January 2005	#4
marcwang Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: East Singapore Posts: 1,023	This is entirely a sharpness test, nothing more. It is clear that the 80-200 is better, but the point of this test was to see how much better. The test results show that the difference is actually quite small, and that sharpness is not an issue with the kit lens. I wouldnt be surprised if the kit lens would better 3rd party f2.8s like the Sigma 24-70f2.8 even when they costs quite a bit more. The trait with Nikkors is that performance is fantastic right across the rated aperture range, they can sometimes be a bit conservative about it just to ensure decent performance wide open. I have several 3rd party lenses which claim unbelievably large apertures, but they are quite bad used wide open. But of course, sometimes.... we need that extra stop of light, and would prefer to forgo sharpness over camera shake. For that, the Sigma 20mmf1.8 comes to the rescue. __________________ Marc Wang Photography

28th January 2005	#3
melnjes Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,128	Just to add to marcwang's test results, do consider other attributes besides sharpness. I have both lenses and would consider the 18-70 as a competent lens but not in the same league as the 80-200. Pictures taken with the 80-200 somehow have that extra oomph that the 18-70 does not have, think the 80-200 has better contrast? Pics taken with the 18-70 appear flat in comparison. I was just telling my wife yesterday that I would consider ditching the 18-70 if I ever have the spare cash and get the 17-55. Anyway the two lenses cover different ranges and hence are for different use.