Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E FL VR vs Nikon AF-D 85/1.4, 105 DC, 135 DC, 180/2.8

[Jedi]

The first picture of the girl look sharp enough but it is back-focused -  the focus point is not on the eyes but further back on the head. The second picture looks better. The AF 180/2.8 does not focus quickly, so if the subject is moving there may be some out of focus shots.

Before we blame the lens (or camera) try some tests: focus the lens manually and focus using live view (best on a tripod). Use a static subject so subject motion does not affect focusing. Select subjects near infinity, medium and close distances. This will tell you if the lens, when focused correctly, is optically sharp.

If the lens is sharp, repeat the tests using AF to test the focus system. If the lens is consistently back-focusing, use the AF fine tune to adjust it. If you still cannot get consistent focus using AF at near and far distances, maybe the lens and/or camera need adjusting at a service centre.

As I wrote, I have done this test and there is a difference between manual focusing and live view.....

[Jedi]

If you still cannot get consistent focus using AF at near and far distances, maybe the lens and/or camera need adjusting at a service centre.

Yes, there is difference also using the best value of AF tuning, +10. The problem is the lens, in fact with other my actual  lenses and in the past, the D810 is perfect at all distances (85/1.4D, 105/2 DC, 135/2 DC today, but also 24-70/2.8  70-200/2.8 VR and VRI, 14-24mm, 28-70/2.8, 17-35/2.8, 300/4 AF-ED in the past,perfect). I have changed them to buy Zeiss lenses in a little time.

Do you think that Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AI-s ED is sharper than Nikon AF-D 180mm f/2.8 at infinity with D810? I don't need AF.

[Erik Lund]

The 85mm 1.4 and 180mm AF-D ED f/2.8 are both really good lenses, plenty sharp even wide open, on the high end cameras like the screwdriver AF is quite fast and very accurate.


The above is of course only the case if you take care regarding how you shoot;


The 180mm lens is quite light for it's focal length, so you need high shutter speed to freeze the moment 1/500 on a D810 I would also recommend the battery grip to add mass to the camera.


If the subject or you are moving use AF-C.


The 180mm Ais f/2.8 ED is a little different optical design, also very good Bokeh - They are very similar though. A mechanical jewel.


To me it looks like your 180 and camera needs to go in for service together.


BTW I once saw a very bad case of a large fingerprint on the inside of one of the rear elements on a 180mm AF-D, it produced very hazy looking images,,,

[Jedi]

The 180mm lens is quite light for it's focal length, so you need high shutter speed to freeze the moment 1/500 on a D810 I would also recommend the battery grip to add mass to the camera.

Excuse me, but when I have tried 180mm f/2.8 AF-D  with LV, AF and MF, I used tripod and 1/800s and the difference was great, at Af Fine OFF and AF FIne at the best value, +10. It's not my fault, it isn't the case if I take care regarding how I shoot.

[Jedi]

If the subject or you are moving use AF-C.

Yes, I am not a begonner, I use in these cases AF-C!!!!!!!

[Jedi]

To me it looks like your 180 and camera needs to go in for service together.

There would be no danger of being in the regulation for the others lenses?

[Jedi]

BTW I once saw a very bad case of a large fingerprint on the inside of one of the rear elements on a 180mm AF-D, it produced very hazy looking images,,,

I now check.........

[Jedi]

I check now.....

[Jedi]

BTW I once saw a very bad case of a large fingerprint on the inside of one of the rear elements on a 180mm AF-D, it produced very hazy looking images,,,

No, it's clean, (open diaphragm, against light source).

[Jedi]

The 85mm 1.4 and 180mm AF-D ED f/2.8 are both really good lenses, plenty sharp even wide open, on the high end cameras like the screwdriver AF is quite fast and very accurate.

What do you think about this comparison by The Digital Picture? If you choose Nikon AF-D 180mm f/2.8 and Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII on D3x at f/4 at 180mm and 200mm, The Digital pictures says 70-200mm wins!! Everywhere!!!!!!! 

https://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=647&Camera=614&Sample=0&FLI=0&API=4&LensComp=621&CameraComp=614&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=4&APIComp=4

My 180mm f/2.8 AF-D is very sharp at infinity in Manual focusing.

[Erik Lund]

You are completely entitled to disagree with me, i'm just stating that for the record, I have no difficulty in making sharp images near to infinity with the two lenses.
So other people reading this thread don't think that they are bad lenses.
Our own Nikkor Guru has a few words written down on these two lense, to make sure I din't make a fool out of myself I just read his words on these two lenses, here is a link:


http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_short.html


Quote 180mm AF-D f/2.8 ED: This 180 must be ranked among the finest Nikkors of all times in terms of its optics,


These are written some years ago, however lenses with this high performance seldom underperform drastically like you state in your posts, so something must be amis you tell me.




This 180 must be ranked among the finest Nikkors of all times in terms of its optics,

[Jedi]

so something must be amis you tell me.

Excuse me, what does it mean: "must be amis you tell me"? I don't understand.....
However, I didn't want to be offensive. My lens has got problems IMHO.

[Erik Lund]

Comparing old AF-D lenses with the latest and greatest 70-200mm FL f/2.8 is an easy win for the new Pro caliber zoom if you look at resolution however the 85mm is an f/1.4 lens so,,, it wins the speed battle



My choice was to discard the 70-200mm FL f/2.8 and I got the 85mm f/1.4 G and  200mm AFS f/2.0 but I kept my 108mm AF-D f/2.8 ED and 300mm PF f/4 ED


In this range I now mostly shoot the 200mm AFS f/2 since it gets the job done.Btw I use the hood from 300mm f/2.8 highly recommended!


Edit to remove a typing mistake!

[Erik Lund]

Excuse me, what does it mean: "must be amis you tell me"? I don't understand.....
However, I didn't want to be offensive. My lens has got problems IMHO.

It just means that 'something is not right' with either the lens or the camera 'please tell me' when you know what is wrong, after a visit to Nikon Service.


Maybe use fewer    in your posts

[Jedi]

Comparing old AF-D lenses with the latest and greatest 70-200mm FL f/2.8 is an easy win for the new Pro caliber zoom if you look at resolution however the 85mm is an f/1.4 lens so,,, it wins the speed battle



My choice was to discard the 70-200mm FL f/2.8 and I got the 85mm f/1.4 G and  200mm AFS f/2.0 but I kept my 108mm AF-D f/2.8 ED and 300mm PF f/4 ED


In this range I now mostly shoot the 200mm AFS f/2 since it gets the job done.Btw I use the hood from 300mm f/2.8 highly recommended!

200mm f/2 AF-S is too expensive; 180mm or 200mm aren't very important focals for me, but I would like to work with a great lens which works well.