Different versions of the Nikon 80-200mm f/4.5

[richardHaw]

the pre-ai version on Df i was great surprised about the iq

the C version?

[Fons Baerken]

Richard my copy is  serial #238115 which according to
Roland Vink
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/lenses.html
makes it a K version

[null]

I picked up this 80~200/4.5 Ai new version for $50 or so.

Nikkor_80_200_new2 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I relubed it, got rid of the zoom-creep. It was very loose, much better now.

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

shots at min and max range of zoom.

i also have the 80~200/4.5 "K" factory Ai converted. I found the Ai kit, took a few minutes.

80~200/4.5 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

I have not shot both side-by-side, honestly- both are great, don't see a lot of difference. I remember selling these for $800 when they were new.

[richardHaw]

wow! still looks fresh 

[John Geerts]

I have one like new. The K Ai'd  version.

[Erik Lund]

The Bokeh is really remarkable, very pleasant performance

Fons that car shot is amazing, the way the surface is rendered is very lifelike.

[richardHaw]

I picked up this 80~200/4.5 Ai new version for $50 or so.

Hello, Brian. this is the one with the square baffles? 

[null]

Yes- the "n" version has the Baffle in the back and the SN is a new series, large break from the prior version.

Another, wide-open, max-zoom.

Fall 2015 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

The 80~200/4.5 is Nikon's first zoom that really competed with the quality of the fixed-focal length lenses. I had a single-coated version as well, picked up for $20- sold to a friend for the same putting together a Nikkormat EL kit for him. The other high-quality zoom in this range is the Vivitar 70~210 Series 1 72mm version (and 1st 62mm version, but I don't have that one).

Weekend coming up- I will put some pictures up of the two lenses next to each other.

[Fons Baerken]

The Bokeh is really remarkable, very pleasant performance

Fons that car shot is amazing, the way the surface is rendered is very lifelike.

was happily surprised on the image quality myself, well Df sensor and good light that day

[null]

Nikkor 80~200/4.5n and 8-~200/4.5 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Nikkor 80~200/4.5n and 8-~200/4.5 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Nikkor 80~200/4.5n and 8-~200/4.5 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

"new Version" on the left, Factory-Ai'd K version on the right. Both are great.

[John Geerts]

Some shots with the 80-200mm f/4.5  K today during the National Voluntair day with Belgian Workhorses ploughing the field of the Urban Agricultural garden.

[John Geerts]

Also a very good performance with the Close up Attachment lenses,  here the 3T was used.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

Throughout the years, the 80-200/4.5 (both versions) in combination with a 4T close-up lens was a great favourite for a versatile close-up system.

Fallen Alder Catkins

[John Geerts]

Great example.   I didn't know, but I can imagine that.  I am surprised how well it performs on the modern Nikon Camera's (D600  -  Df  D800E)    From an ergonomic point of view it's nearly perfect. It's very well balanced in the hand and smooth to operate.  And the zoom makes it very versatile indeed.

[richardHaw]

awesome shots, gentlemen

in case you guys are wondering, the differences between the square baffle and the round baffle is more than cosmetic (and optical). there were some important mechanical changes internally. i saw them when i overhauled my 80-200 f/4.5, this thing is super dirty. the caked grease needed to be removed mechanically with a dremel and a brush