Nikon D700 with 15 year old Nikon 80-200 f/2.8 lens
Waiting for the train in Tokyo
I’m normally don’t shoot with telephoto lenses. Most of the time I use wide angle lenses with an occasional long normal lens thrown in. There are occasions when I have needed longer lenses and have been satisfied with the Nikkor DC 135mm f/2 lens. Recently I purchased a 15 year old AF Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 ED lens for $300 in Japan. The condition, both cosmetically and performance-wise is stellar. Sure, the lens does not have VR (image stabilization) and is somewhat heavy since it’s body is metal. Still, it’s a very capable lens and more than matches up with the D700 since this camera is exceptional at higher ISO’s. This latitude allows one to crank up the ISO to compensate for the lack of image stabilization. I have been tempted to purchase the latest AF-S VR Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 IF ED but will postpone this until Nikon improves this lens so its performance on a FX body is better. With the performance of the 80-200mm, there’s no reason to buy right now.
Photos were taken in Tokyo and Bangkok with the Nikon D700 and an AF Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 ED lens. Post processing is minimal (or none). All photos shot at or near f/2.8.
Incoming call
Atagaw market prawns
Veggie vendor
Red camera
Great photos! Did you use a tripod for all of these shots? Without the VR I don’t imagine they could be so sharp being hand held.
Michael
July 7, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Thanks. No tripod. Handheld. The first two at ISO 200 1/100-250 sec f/2.8. The others ISO 250 1/200-320 sec f/3.2. The most difficult capture is the top photo which was shot at 1/100 sec at 200mm.
Very rarely do I use a tripod although I would like to. Too much stuff to carry on some of my trips. Cheers, Leo.
leolaksi
July 7, 2009 at 9:58 pm