Nikon 180mm f/2.8D ED-IF AF Lens

Since 1970 Nikon has produced many 180mm lenses See Nikon 180mm chart below to see the dates versions were released. Each 180mm Lens has it's own excellent qualities.

The current model, the 180mm f2.8 AF-D. in production since 1993 It has the identical autofocus (AF) performance and optics and as other varieties of AF lenses manufactured since 1986. The major difference is the covering of the exterior barrel (metal vs plastic) a manual focus ring and the non-existence or manifestation of an A/M switch. consequently this review is relevant to all Nikon AF 180mm lenses.

The rationale to get an 180mm lens is not only because of the superior optics to any Nikon's f2.8 tele zoom, these fixed length lenses are lighter and much smaller any existing zoom lens.

A decent AF speed at around 60% as quick as the AF-S.80-200 f2.8 It is imperative to set the lens' selector on AF, or else the entire system will come to a crawl while the camera attempts to simultaneously power the manual focus ring. The 70-210 f4-5.6 AF-D is somewhat quicker than the AF 180 f2.8 and not much slower than the AF-S 80-200 f2.8 . To focus the lens from 35 feet to infinity is a full rotation of the AF screw. The exact same as with all the Nikkor AF versions (AF, AF-D and AF-n) of the 180mm lens. It is a nuisance to change between AF and MF focusing: the control on both the lens and the camera body needs to be moved exactly the same as on the earliest AF 300mm f4 lens.

ED- (Extra-low Dispersion)
a necessary element of the Nikon telephoto lens Nikon engineered Extra-low Dispersion optical glass to facilitate the manufacture of lenses that provide superior color correction and sharpness by diminishing chromatic aberrations

IF- Internal Focusing
The ability to have a lens focus while it's size remains unchanged. Nikon’s IF engineering allows that to happen. All internal optical travel is contained within the inside of the non-extension lens container.

Performance
Manual focusing is distinctively good among AF Nikon lenses. The manual focus is factory damped as it should be, and does not run boundless and abstemious as many other AF lenses. This is a noteworthy choice if you want to shoot strictly in MF mode. If you don't remember to undo the manual focus ring with the A/M switch It also messes with the AF action!

The 180mm lens has very modest light falloff at f2.8, and is way, superior to the 80-200 f2.8 AF-S or any other 80-200 f2.8 zooms. It is ghost free, once more better than the 80-200 f2.8 AF-S.

Distortion is next to nothing. If you stare too long at a image of a brick wall you will almost be convinced that a small amount of pincushion distortion exists, but is really next to invisible.

when shooting at f2.8, beyond 40 feet AF is excellent. Conversely, if the distance of your subject is less than 40 feet the lens is inclined focus slightly closer than necessary, thus reducing sharpness

Recommendations
The most compact f2.8 lens in this focal length. Select it if you want a quick, compact lens that has really nice mechanical and optical quality where focus accuracy isn't quite as important to you at short distances. if accuracy is vital to you, look for another lens. When buying this lens used, be careful of dirty rear aperture blades. There is no glass in back of the diaphragm of this lens so if lens is owned by professional photographer he most likely got all sorts of muck on those diaphragm blades that cannot be easily cleaned up. Take a closer look; dirty blades can become stuck and ruin your images by overexposing them. For a similar price you can buy the excellent 80-200 AF, that is better for for the sake of convenience for most people.

• Cl-38 Case

• Built-In Hood

• 72mm Front Cap

• LF-1 Rear Cap

• 5-Year Warranty (1-Year International + 4-Year USA Extension)