The Nikon Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8 is a fantastically versatile lens. On a Nikon digital crop body it becomes a stunning 120-300mm f/2.8. I have found uses for this lens ranging from portraiture to landscapes, and many, many more.

Pros:

· Handles splendidly on almost all cameras

· Built in rotating tripod foot is rock solid

· Has that “Don’t ask, I’m a pro” look

· Standard 77mm filter

· Old screw-driver AF

· Isn’t white

Cons:

· Hood costs extra

· Old screw-driver AF

· Screams steal me

· Generates mob mentality when using around non-photographers

The Pros

The handling of this lens is fantastic on everything from the lowly, light, D50 to the chunky D100 with grip, and is a perfect mate for the Nikon pro bodies with their strong AF motors. The rotating tripod foot is quite nice and is a beautiful balance when mounted. As with all lenses of this stature and feel, I find that people rarely ask questions about what I am photographing, unless they are asking what paper I am with. If the 77mm filter size is important to you, then you know that already, and why it is. This next point is one that generates a bit of controversy when I bring it up; the screwdriver AF system. I personally prefer lenses with the screwdriver, for some reason I trust it more. Maybe it is because everything I have ever owned that had a small, electric motor inside has broken or burned out. The screwdriver uses the small motor in the camera. Is it the same, pretty much. However, one way I only have to buy a motor once, and the screwdrivers are a lot cheaper. The isn’t white jab is simply because I feel that the black blends in with the surrounding world a tad bit better.

Cons

First of all, when buying a lens that costs nearly a thousand dollars, you would assume that it would include all of the accessories. If you were talking about this lens, you’d be wrong. You have to pay extra for the plastic lens hood ( I don’t use them for flare protection as much as actual physical protection from bumps and scrapes). As previously mentioned the screwdriver AF vs. AFS is a personal choice. As with all lenses that look like this the lens tells the general public two things;

1. This is really expensive and if you are strapped for cash to pay off your credit card balance that is accruing 18% interest (compounded nano-secondly), it would be really easy to steal this lens and sell it on craigslist or fleabay to make some cash.

2. Sometimes this is fun, but most of the time it is annoying. If I am taking a picture of a squirrel, or even a person or building, it seems that a mob of point and shoot wielding tourists will inevitably chase me down yelling things like, “Honey, what is he taking pictures of? With a lens like that it must be interesting!” “is there a celebrity over there?”.

Conclusion

If you need this lens you probably already know it. My belief is that it is a great alternative to the more expensive AFS and VR versions. Although it has its cons, it is a fantastic piece of glass.

And did I mention it takes great dog portraits?