For the opportunity Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) lens review Many thanks to Vadim Jadan.
Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) is an old school professional high-aperture telephoto zoom lens.
Since the release of the first professional-focus autofocus lens of the 80-200 / 2.8 class, much water has flowed. During this time, the 70 (80) -200 / 2.8 line developed, resulting in many versions.
A complete and accurate list of all Nikkon Nikkor class 70(80)-(180)200/2.8 autofocus professional lenses:
- Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8 (MKI) - November 1987 to September 1992, 16 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED elements)
- Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) - from September 1992 to 1997, 16 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED elements)
- Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKIII) - January 1997 to present, 16 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED elements)
- Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D Silent Wave Motor (MKIV, AF-S) - from December 1998 to 2003, 18 elements in 14 groups (with 5 ED elements). There are two colors: black and gray.
- Nikon ED AF-S VR-Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8G Vibration Reduction SWM IF (MKV, VRI) from February 2003 to January 2009, 21 elements in 15 groups (with 5 ED elements). There are two colors: black and gray.
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8GII ED N VR Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF (MKVI, VRII) - July 2009 to present, 21 elements in 16 groups (with 7 ED elements).
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8E FL ED N VR Nano Crystal Coat (MKVII, E) - from October 2016 to the present, 22 elements in 18 groups (6 ED, 1 FL, 1 HRI element). There is a rare subversion Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8E FL ED N VR Nano Crystal Coat Nikon 100th Anniversary (100th Anniversary) - April 2017 to present, features a metallic gray finish with the Nikon 100th Anniversary logo).
- Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200mm 1: 2.8 VR S (MK VIII, Z, S-series) - from January 2020 to the present day. Nikon Z mirrorless version, 21 elements in 18 groups (6 ED, 2 ASP, 1 FL, 1 SR)
- Nikon Nikkor Z 70-180mm 1: 2.8 (MK IX,Z) - from June 2023 to the present day. Version for Nikon Z mirrorless cameras, 19 elements in 14 groups (5 ED, 3 ASP, 1 SUPER ED), diagram from Tamron 70-180mm F / 2.8 Di III VXD Model A056
Some are adding new ones to this list. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat.
The version presented in this review is the second in a row, it is often called the 'version MKII'so that you can quickly distinguish what is being said. All three first versions MKI, MKII, MKIII have the same optical design. Roughly speaking, all three versions can give a picture indistinguishable from each other (but, in fact, the first version is much worse than the others). Of course, each subsequent version was finalized and received new opportunities. Nikon ED AF version Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII), from this review, was able to transmit the focusing distance to the camera, which allows using 3D Matrix Metering matrix metering with a number of cameras, also D version simplifies flash operation. Of course, each subsequent version improved optically.
Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D can be used on old film cameras as a lens AI-S type, and on autofocus film cameras, on full-frame cameras and on Nikon cropped cameras. On APS-C format cameras (Nikon DX) EGF lens will match 120-300 mm... Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D has an unusually strong construction, you can immediately feel a well-made thing in your hands.
Auto focus on the lens slow. Focus speed can be increased by using focus stopmounted on the lens. The limiter can switch the lens to one of the modes Full / limit... In the 'Full' mode the lens can focus from 1.4 m to infinity, and in the 'Limit' mode only from 1.8 m. The focusing of the lens is not internal, but due to the successful lens design, the trunk does not lengthen when focusing. If you use the usual protective filter, you may not notice the movement of the front lenses. Also, when zooming, the lens does not change its physical size, which is very convenient - the lens internal zoom. The lens has a Nikon focus system CRC (close range correction - correction at close focusing distances). Also, the lens has a 'M-A' focus mode switching ring, the ring has a special lock-button, to switch the lens to manual focusing, just use the switch on the lens.
Important: lens zoom ring and manual focus ring are aligned, which is why the lens is often called 'single ring'. The focus ring rotates approximately 45 degrees in manual focus mode. The focusing ring is simply huge, it is very convenient to focus on the focus. The lens has a focusing distance scale, but does not have a DOF scale. In auto focus mode, the focus ring rotates freely and does not affect the focusing process.
Important: the lens uses an unusual method of changing the focal length, the so-called piston method (also called 'push pull'). To change the focal length, you just need to pull the 'piston' towards you or away from you. Moreover, the maximum focal length is available when the piston is in the closest position to the camera, and the minimum when the piston is as far from the camera as possible. This 'backwards' method takes some getting used to. When transporting the lens, the piston can spontaneously change the focal length under its own weight. It is very pleasant that when changing the focal length, as well as when focusing, the back lens remains motionless.
It's important: auto focus with this lens is available only when using him on cameras with built-in motor focusing.
Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras with a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will focus automatically:
- D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2xs, D2h, D2hs
- D3, D3x, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6
- Df
- D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90
- D7000, D7100, D7200,D7500
- D100, D200, D300, D300s,D500
- D600, D610, D750, D780
- D700, D800,D800E, D810, D810a, D850
- Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 ProS3 Pro UVIR, S5 ProIS Pro
- Kodak DCS PRO 14n, DCS Pro SLR/n
Exact list Nikon DSLR cameras without a built-in focus motor, on which this lens will not focus automatically:
Only auto focus and sound confirmation of focus will not work with these cameras, all other important functions, such as automatic exposure metering and automatic iris control, will work well.
You will find a lot of useful information on the types of cameras and lenses Nikon here.
Important: the lens has an aperture control ring. In order for the lens to start working normally on modern CZKs, you need to set the f / 22 value on the lens and snap a special switch near the aperture control ring. After such a manipulation, the aperture can be controlled from the camera, in more detail in the section on Non-G type lens.

Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF and Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
The lens has a maximum aperture of F / 2.8, which is available over the entire range of focal lengths. Given the large focal length of the lens, you need to remember about the effect of the grease at slow shutter speeds. More details in the section on how take off.
Image quality
On Nikon DX cameras, the lens is sharp already at F / 2.8 over the entire range of focal lengths, except 200 mm. At 200mm it is advisable to cover the diaphragm. The lens gives excellent contrast, has a slight distortion. Aberrations are present, but very slight. It’s also funny that the 200mm lens tightens the background a lot, it seems that the pictures are similar to Soviet helioswho love the background twist very much. When shooting at F / 4, the lens becomes very sharp :).

On the open aperture Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) very noticeably twists the background
In general, the image quality is excellent. The bokeh deserves special attention, which is quite good at open apertures. It's a pity, but in spite of the 9-blade diaphragm, you can see the 'nuts' on the covered diaphragms in the blur zone. Image quality can be improved by using a lens hood such as the native HB-7.
You can find more examples of photos on this lens in the reviews. Fujifilm FinePix S2 Pro и Nikon D300s.
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Personal experience
Now you will not meet modern lenses with a piston design, and this is quite convenient, since the focus ring is immediately a zoom ring. The lens lacks an image stabilizer, at 200mm the picture twitches strongly in the viewfinder, and excerpt when shooting should be at least 1 \ 200s. I shot on a cloudy day, and at ISO 200, the f / 2.8 aperture barely made it possible to shoot at 1 \ 200s, so I want to note that f / 2.8 is not a panacea. If you need a real aperture, then fast fixes can come to the rescue. In principle, a single 80mm high-aperture prime can handle the tasks of the heavy Nikon ED AF Nikkor 200-1mm 2.8: 135D (MKII). 135mm is just the middle between 80-200mm, (200 + 80) \\ 2 = 140.

Crop 1 to 1, without processing, only added shooting parameters (one of the readers asked the moon)
Newer model Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKIII) has exactly the same optical design as the MKII and MKI, so you don't have to be afraid and save money using the MKII or MKI, although the MKIII has a faster focusing system and a tripod socket, and not everyone will be comfortable using the 'trombone'. The lens of the 80-200 \ 2.8 class most often acts as a good portrait lens, professional wedding photographers are very fond of this range, and the high-aperture zoom 80-200 itself is included in the top three of the classic set 14 (16) -24 (28), 24 (28) -70 ( 80), 70 (80) -200. A good alternative to the lenses of the 80-200 \ 2.8 series can serve as an old high-quality Nikon 70-210mm f / 4 AF. Also, for inexpensive, you can find old versions of similar lenses from third-party manufacturers: Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO EX HSM, Tokina AT-X AF SD 80-200mm 1: 2.8, Tamron SP AF LD 70-210mm 1: 2.8 67DN, Tokina AT-X PRO 80-200mm 1: 2.8 , Sigma AF Zoom APO 70-210mm 1: 2.8 etc.
Conclusions
Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII) - legendary lenswhich after many years can please with its excellent picture. I recommend for full-frame cameras.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval.
If anyone is interested, I am selling mine in excellent condition, 5+. Across Ukraine
“Test chart” 200mm f/2.8
I was lucky with a sharp copy, mine on MDF 200mm f/2.8 looks like this