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I hate to sound like a 'me too' post, but... I also feel that my Nikon 80-200 2.8 lens is the best zoom I have used. The only other zoom that I own is a Nikon 35-70 2.8 D AF, and I previously owned the first non-D version of that lens and didn't like it. I didn't like it not because it wasn't sharp (it was at most apertures), but because it is (in my opinion) on of the worst operating designs you could possibly have for a zoom that you could use in manual focusing mode. It has a sloppy and awkward manual focus because of the way the barrel EXTENDS in length (push-pull type zoom) to go to the 35mm end and the focus ring is way out on the end of the barrel (but it is at least an inch wide with a rubber diamond grip surface). Auto focus isn't much better on this lens because of the large rotating mass which makes it slow, and you can't touch the end of the rotating lens (and hood) when in AF mode (there is no M/AF switch like on the latest designs). So why do I now own the 35-70 2.8 AF D version of this lens that I don't particularly like? First because even though it is a pain, a zoom in that focal length is very handy if you want to get the shot in a hurry. Second because I got it with the intention of trying to use it on my F5 in AF mode, which I still can't stand (at least for trains). And third because if I have to have a 35-70 focal length range zoom, this one is a straight 2.8 all the way through, and I cannot stand variable aperture zooms (I think it defeats their purpose because when you zoom then your exposure changes in manual modes with those type of zooms). Yes, I have the most sophisticated metering cameras know to mankind, but I still meter with handheld (Minolta) meters and my brain (and its limited metering experience). BTW, the best short focal length Nikon zoom that I ever owned was an AI manual focus 28-45mm 4.5 two-ring zoom (72mm filter thread). Sure at 4.5 it was slow (but a constant 4.5) and not much of a zoom range at only 28-45, but it was tack sharp at all focal lengths and apertures and it was VERY well corrected at the wide end against distortion. I was very pleased with it, but regrettably sold it on a quest to acquire a Nikon 20-35mm 2.8 AF zoom which I canceled after a six month backorder (20, 24, 35mm lenses cover this anyway for me). If I ever find another Nikon 28-45mm 4.5 AI in good shape, I will buy it and rectify that previous oversight. (The Nikon 20-35mm 2,8 that I borrowed from the Nikon rep was full of wide angle distortion anyway, in my opinion - comparing it to my 20mm). Wide angle zooms are a different story. I am more concerned abort distortion than sharpness anymore with the technology these days (I still test each individual lens I buy anyway). I feel kind of cheap adding this plug for this lens at this point in the discussion, but there is a Nikon 80-200mm 2.8 AF D ED zoom lens for sale on the SPORRS Classifieds page. It belongs to a SPORRS member who has just replaced it with the newest model of the same lens which has the rotating tripod collar built-on, and this one for sale is near mint in the lens case and the box and it comes with the Nikon HB-7 hood, also boxed. Dave Cohen Photographer Action Photographic Webmaster [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/home/ ======================================================= -> SPORRS: 'Serious Photographers Of Railroad Related Subjects' -> Web Site: http://www.anet-stl.com/acphotog/sporrs/ -> Message © 1998 SPORRS® - All Rights Reserved =======================================================
