Nikon Nikkor AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED Lens

Buying from China or the US ensures cheaper costs for NEW items but there is a downside also.
Some sellers offer to pay half of any duty you pay but the bottom line is that you get credit from the store only. No cashback!
The seller I used in Hongkong Advertises as "duty free" but after paying, tells you that the sales have been 'marked down' in value to reduce any Duty Taxes and that such taxes are to be paid by the purchaser.
Postage and insurance together with tracking fees were very expensive.
Also my seller demanded electronic transfer of cash which cost in excess of £20, paid by the purchaser.
Finally, for UK buyers to buy from the USA can have major problems. The equipment I bought was for the USA market only. On trying to get support from the manufacturer I found that having no State, Zipcode complicated the support request resulting in the USA supplier passing me to the Europe supplier. Needless to say, the Europe supplier was not aware of the goods supplied as the goods were for the USA market only----catch 22!
I will not be using any foreign sellers from Ebay anymore.

I would go as far as to say the 80-200mm AF ED f/2.8 D Lens is probably the best lens ever constructed in modern times! Not only is it a fantastic pro lens its within the reach of the humble consumer Joe public market. Rather than paying huge sums for vr versions-VR Is handy but not always very useful! I have found much of the time I don’t even use VR on my lenses anyway! So its just a waste of money in many cases!

This lens is built like a tank solid and super reliable.
Dead easy for service technicians to work on too for service so servicing of this lens is very cheap for a pro lens!

The focusing speed is pretty near as fast as an equivalent but double the price 70-200mm VR version. The focusing is pin sharp and precise even in low light situations!

With modern cameras that handle high ISO much better like the D3 D300 and fuji s5 pro, this lens becomes a true marvel in extremely low light wide open!

Who needs VR when you have lenses this good! The AF-D VERSION two touch or two ring or twin ring type has out lasted the newer af-s version which was discontinued as it suffered badly with flare and focusing issues! And it’s still being produced today as strong as it was 10 years ago.

The old saying comes to mind if it aint broken don’t try and fix it! And this is true with the fantastic 80-200mm af-d lens and Nikon know it that’s why it was not discontinued when they launched the af-s version!

I have used prime lenses that are not really as sharp as this lens from 80 to 200mm its full range! Even wide open at 200mm it pin sharp even the new 70-200mm vr is not as sharp!

I don’t think anyone who has ever used this model lens can knock it unless they are trying to defended their reasons for upgrading to the 70-200mm VR version.

Don’t hesitate in buying one of these you wont regret it. Look for a used one don’t risk buying from hong kong and end up paying huge import duties and vat! Just keep your eye open for a good clean used one these were built to last 50 years! Honestly people will still be using these in many many years to come and they will become if not already a legendary lens.

My wife and I own 2 of these lenses I may get a vr version but I would always keep hold of one!

Don’t buy the push pull one I had one and they are rubbish frustratingly slow at focusing and the focus thread is so fine the camera motor has to turn 75% further than the af-d version plus the push pull version extends where the 2 touch is self contained.

Hope this helps you in deciding your next lens

Awesome lens. Have a range of Nikon Lenses, all excellent. This one is probably the sharpest of them all. Superb for indoor sports and reportage work.

This lens is literally brilliant - It is sharp with very high contrasts at all apertures. Optically this professional lens is the best. ED = extra low dispersion.