Revisiting the Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5-5.6D Legacy Lens

Image Copyright Midwest Photo Exchange (www.mpex.com)

We've had this lens for a while so I thought that I would circle round again and post on how it has fared after our original post!

There is nothing I have against modern lenses.  I own quite a few and use them whenever I feel they are the best tool for the job.  Sometimes, though, I can't explain precisely why, but I love to use some older glass.  It might be the feel of them along with the way that they render images.

It could also be that some of these lenses, long forgotten by most, a fraction of their value on the used market have way more value than that dollar sign marked on it at the store.

For me, that last sentence is what really speaks to me about this lens.  Lots of plastic here, auto focus is slow by modern lens standards.  Put this on my Nikon Df and something magical happens.  It renders colors how I like it.  The lower contrast gives you that little bit extra room to work in post.  I'd rather it be lower contrast than too much.

While it will not blow your socks off on any MTF chart - it is sharp enough for most use.  If I need something in lower light, I'll go for a faster zoom or prime...but in normal shooting conditions - I see very little to get down on this sub $100 F-mount lens.

I'll let the images below speak for themselves. All taken with the Nikon Df.

1/500, f/8, ISO 360 @ 180mm

1/500, f/8, ISO 320 @ 200mm

1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100 @ 80mm

1/640, f/5.6, ISO 720 @ 200mm

1/640, f/11, ISO 900 @ 200mm

1/500, f/4.5, ISO 360 @ 90mm

1/500, f/11, ISO 2200 @ 200mm

1/500, f/5.6, ISO 1800 @ 105mm

1/200, f/8, ISO 220 @ 200mm

Nikon Df - The Revisit

I've had quite a few people on various forums ask how I have been liking the Nikon Df since I've had it now for an extended period of time.  I thought I would take the time to go back and revisit the Df and give an updated view on my thoughts and share some additional images.

It's been just over 6 months of using the Df and it is still my favorite camera to use.  The auto focus system works just fine and I've not had any issues with it in any lighting situations.  You'll be able to see in some of the sample images provided, some pretty low light scenes.

I find that I much prefer using prime lenses on it than zooms.  My main prime focal lengths are the Nikon 24/2.8, 50/1.8D and Tamron 90/2.8.   For me they feel better balanced, and for shooting street, they are quick focusing and less intimidating than big zooms.

For zooms, I occasionally use the Tamron 70-300/4-5.6 VC and the Nikon 24-85/3.5-4.5VR or 28-85/3.5-4.5.  They provide great image quality for the Df sensor.

I'm still shooting the camera using the "legacy" dials and hardly ever use the more modern control wheel scheme.   Obviously, there are times when I cannot avoid the control wheel when using some of the above mentioned zooms.

I've really connected with the Nikon Df.  I carry it with me all the time and have it connected with a Black Rapid strap system.

The only downside I have found is the screw in eyepiece does not have a locking mechanism and I've lost one.   Now, I make sure that the eyepiece is screwed in properly every time I get the camera out of the bag.

What more can I say about that D4 sensor!  It is fabulous.  Great rendering, wonderful dynamic range, phenomenal hi ISO performance - all still impressive today as it was 6 months ago.

I've used just about every new camera system that has come down the line including the Fuji X series cameras and the Olympus OMD series mirrorless.  While they may be smaller - they are not yet up to the performance level that I require for me to use them exclusively.