Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8?

alant · 10th April 2008

Hi I'm a newbie that have been out of touch with photography for some time. Now I'm back into this hobby and need some advise from you all.

- Basically, I'm looking for a mid-range zoom lens to go with the D300.
- Think the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is out of my budget as more than $2k+.
- So now looking at the 80-200mm f/2.8 lens.
- Understand and read that there are a number of versions of this lens out in the market. The current version is the 2-touch model. Some time back there's a 'AF-S' version and way back there's a 1-touch 'AF-D' version.
- Think the 'AF-S' and 'AF-D' version are now no longer in production.
- And the 'AF-S' also cost $2k+ so I think it's not within my budget too.

Now I'm left with 2 choices. Should I get the current 2-touch version or should I go for the older 1-touch 'AF-D' version?

- Cost wise a new 2-touch lens is around $1.6k and a 2nd hand older 1-touch 'AF-D' version is around $600-$800. So quite a big difference. Of course I can consider getting a 2nd hand 2-touch version one too.
- However, price for a good 2nd hand 2-touch model is around $1.3k so thinking maybe more worth it to get a new one.
- Weight wise is not an issue, I'm comfortable with heavy lenses.
- Ultimate plan of course it will be good if I can need not spend so much and still get a quality lens.

I would appreciate if you all could share some insights and the pros & cons of these lenses and advise me on which one should I get.

Thanks in advance.

TMC · 11th April 2008

the 2 touch version should still be in production. about 1.6k iirc. or you can try looking for a 2H one in the Buy and Sell forum here.

2 touch has decent AF speed, 1 touch is zoom by pull and push.

alant · 11th April 2008

Thanks TMC.

Oh ya also read that the pull-push (1-touch) version tends to collect dust in the glass elements, is that true?

nightwolf75 · 11th April 2008

Originally Posted by alant

Thanks TMC.

Oh ya also read that the pull-push (1-touch) version tends to collect dust in the glass elements, is that true?

probably, due to wat they call the 'vacuum-cleaner' effect. but IMO, might be over-exaggerated.

by virtue of it being newer, i think the 2-touch is a good choice (tho most online reviews say there's not much difference optically bet the 1 and 2 touch).

alant · 11th April 2008

Thanks for the reply nightwolf. The difference in price between the 2 versions differ by quite a fair bit. And don't think one can find new stocks of the push-pull version right as no longer in production. I'm still thinking hard... maybe I should just get the cheaper push-pull version and save some budget for the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 lens?

knpan · 11th April 2008

Why do they call it a 1 touch and 2 touch? 1 push and pull and the other is turning, any difference in focusing speed?

Is it more worth to get the af-s 80-200 so able to combine with 2x tc to become 400mm af?

blackdrakes · 11th April 2008

Why is the AFS version still at 2k plus?
Shouldn't the price have fallen?
and there seem to be very few people selling this lens at BNS, all AFD.

alant · 11th April 2008

If I'm not wrong why they call it push-pull 1-touch is because the focusing is done by rotating and zooming is done by pushing-pulling the same ring. Whereas for the 2-touch one it has separate rings for focusing and zooming. As for the 'AF-S' version, Nikon has stop production for this lens so maybe that's why the price is higher.

blackdrakes · 11th April 2008

Maybe it's better to get the AFS version compared to the AFD version as the AF switch for the AFD seems to have alot of problems.

bLight · 11th April 2008

I got a good condition 2-touch AF-D two years back for 1.1K. My best purchase ever. I had used a friend's 1-touch version before, really don't like the push-pull way of zooming, but maybe that's just me.

emerald · 11th April 2008

I am not familiar with Nikon lenses, but would suggest that u can go for a third party 80-200/70-200 F2.8 lens if you have budget constraints. Bought my tokina ATX-PRO 80-200 F2.8 at $500, a brand-new second hand copy.

kyo86sg · 11th April 2008

Originally Posted by bLight

I got a good condition 2-touch AF-D two years back for 1.1K. My best purchase ever. I had used a friend's 1-touch version before, really don't like the push-pull way of zooming, but maybe that's just me.

haha, i got my 2nd hand 80-200mm 2 touch around 3 month back at $850.

thats really a reasonable price.

Luval · 11th April 2008

tokina and sigma are ur alternative for a 2.8 Lens. in term of AF speed. Sigma is Faster with their HSM. Not sure about the price for boith of them . As for me . I owe a 80-200 AFS

senray · 11th April 2008

I would suggest trying both the 1-touch and 2-touch if u get the chance to do so. See which one you're comfortable with.

And by the way my friend can manage to get the 2touch model for 1k from the b/s forum. So I guess maybe you could try yur luck there too. If you can get it at 1k, there's no reason why u should get the 2 touch model.

Rez_pt · 11th April 2008

Originally Posted by kyo86sg

haha, i got my 2nd hand 80-200mm 2 touch around 3 month back at $850. thats really a reasonable price.

..that's a really really good price...

I still can't find the 2 touch version below 1K

TMC · 11th April 2008

Originally Posted by knpan

Why do they call it a 1 touch and 2 touch? 1 push and pull and the other is turning, any difference in focusing speed?

Is it more worth to get the af-s 80-200 so able to combine with 2x tc to become 400mm af?

why they call it that is very simple right? 1 ring for zoom and focus and 2 rings for zoom and focus.

alant · 11th April 2008

Oh ya below 1k for the 2-touch AF-D it's a catch! Wish I could find such deals too! Reason why I didn't go for the AF-S is because of budget and if I could I would spend the 2k+ on the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens. By the way I did get to use the 2-touch for a period of time some time back, heavy lens but pretty much like it. As for the push-pull version my friend has one and I would say not bad too except no built-in tripod collar.

lsisaxon · 13th April 2008

Originally Posted by senray

I would suggest trying both the 1-touch and 2-touch if u get the chance to do so. See which one you're comfortable with.

And by the way my friend can manage to get the 2touch model for 1k from the b/s forum. So I guess maybe you could try yur luck there too. If you can get it at 1k, there's no reason why u should get the 2 touch model.

If you're ever going to use the lens on a body which you need to MF, eg FM2, F3, D40/X, D60, the one touch allows you to zoom and focus at the same time.

alant · 13th April 2008

Thanks lsisaxon. Nope not using it on those camera bodies you mentioned.

So fellow hobbyists any more feedback/comments?

nemesis32 · 14th April 2008

hmm.. abit OT but if you are using D300, prob better off sticking out the money for 70-200VR. based on past experience, i rather spend on lenses than Camera as good lens that are well-maintained can last a long time.

Also, if you do not require the constant aperture, you may want to consider getting the 18-200 VR instead. Sure, the bokeh etc is not so good and not constant Aperture etc, but it's a lot lighter and you dont need to switch to another lens for those situation lower than 70mm. Good combination for travel photography is to pair it with the Nikon 12-24mm... just a thought.

10th April 2008	#1
alant Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 152	Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Hi I'm a newbie that have been out of touch with photography for some time. Now I'm back into this hobby and need some advise from you all. - Basically, I'm looking for a mid-range zoom lens to go with the D300. - Think the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is out of my budget as more than $2k+. - So now looking at the 80-200mm f/2.8 lens. - Understand and read that there are a number of versions of this lens out in the market. The current version is the 2-touch model. Some time back there's a 'AF-S' version and way back there's a 1-touch 'AF-D' version. - Think the 'AF-S' and 'AF-D' version are now no longer in production. - And the 'AF-S' also cost $2k+ so I think it's not within my budget too. Now I'm left with 2 choices. Should I get the current 2-touch version or should I go for the older 1-touch 'AF-D' version? - Cost wise a new 2-touch lens is around $1.6k and a 2nd hand older 1-touch 'AF-D' version is around $600-$800. So quite a big difference. Of course I can consider getting a 2nd hand 2-touch version one too. - However, price for a good 2nd hand 2-touch model is around $1.3k so thinking maybe more worth it to get a new one. - Weight wise is not an issue, I'm comfortable with heavy lenses. - Ultimate plan of course it will be good if I can need not spend so much and still get a quality lens. I would appreciate if you all could share some insights and the pros & cons of these lenses and advise me on which one should I get. Thanks in advance. __________________ If Not Now When? If Not Now Why? Last edited by alant; 11th April 2008 at 07:18 AM.

11th April 2008	#2
TMC Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Beyond Space-Time Continuum Posts: 5,921	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? the 2 touch version should still be in production. about 1.6k iirc. or you can try looking for a 2H one in the Buy and Sell forum here. 2 touch has decent AF speed, 1 touch is zoom by pull and push. __________________ Selling: 32GB Thumbdrive - Patriot Xporter XT 120sgd (Price reduced) Last edited by TMC; 11th April 2008 at 12:19 AM.

11th April 2008	#3
alant Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 152	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Thanks TMC. Oh ya also read that the pull-push (1-touch) version tends to collect dust in the glass elements, is that true? __________________ If Not Now When? If Not Now Why?

11th April 2008	#5
alant Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 152	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Thanks for the reply nightwolf. The difference in price between the 2 versions differ by quite a fair bit. And don't think one can find new stocks of the push-pull version right as no longer in production. I'm still thinking hard... maybe I should just get the cheaper push-pull version and save some budget for the Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8 lens? __________________ If Not Now When? If Not Now Why?

11th April 2008	#6
knpan Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,651	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Why do they call it a 1 touch and 2 touch? 1 push and pull and the other is turning, any difference in focusing speed? Is it more worth to get the af-s 80-200 so able to combine with 2x tc to become 400mm af?

11th April 2008	#7
blackdrakes Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 754	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Why is the AFS version still at 2k plus? Shouldn't the price have fallen? and there seem to be very few people selling this lens at BNS, all AFD. __________________ http://photobuok.wordpress.com/

11th April 2008	#10
bLight Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 428	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? I got a good condition 2-touch AF-D two years back for 1.1K. My best purchase ever. I had used a friend's 1-touch version before, really don't like the push-pull way of zooming, but maybe that's just me. __________________ flickr

11th April 2008	#11
emerald Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Coast Posts: 231	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? I am not familiar with Nikon lenses, but would suggest that u can go for a third party 80-200/70-200 F2.8 lens if you have budget constraints. Bought my tokina ATX-PRO 80-200 F2.8 at $500, a brand-new second hand copy. __________________ .X.B.K.L. Studio

11th April 2008	#13
Luval Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: East Posts: 1,383	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? tokina and sigma are ur alternative for a 2.8 Lens. in term of AF speed. Sigma is Faster with their HSM. Not sure about the price for boith of them . As for me . I owe a 80-200 AFS __________________ My Works

11th April 2008	#14
senray Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 184	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? I would suggest trying both the 1-touch and 2-touch if u get the chance to do so. See which one you're comfortable with. And by the way my friend can manage to get the 2touch model for 1k from the b/s forum. So I guess maybe you could try yur luck there too. If you can get it at 1k, there's no reason why u should get the 2 touch model. __________________ D80\|Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8\|Nikon 50mm f/1.8D\|80-200mm f/2.8D PortFolio

13th April 2008	#19
alant Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 152	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? Thanks lsisaxon. Nope not using it on those camera bodies you mentioned. So fellow hobbyists any more feedback/comments? __________________ If Not Now When? If Not Now Why?

14th April 2008	#20
nemesis32 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,483	Re: Which model of 80-200mm f/2.8? hmm.. abit OT but if you are using D300, prob better off sticking out the money for 70-200VR. based on past experience, i rather spend on lenses than Camera as good lens that are well-maintained can last a long time. Also, if you do not require the constant aperture, you may want to consider getting the 18-200 VR instead. Sure, the bokeh etc is not so good and not constant Aperture etc, but it's a lot lighter and you dont need to switch to another lens for those situation lower than 70mm. Good combination for travel photography is to pair it with the Nikon 12-24mm... just a thought.