Nikon 180mm f2.8

[greypoint]

Anyone used this lens? Any views?

[Oldboy]

Here's a review: http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/180af.htm

[greypoint]

Yes - but I was hoping for reviews by someone sensible

[picsfor]

what - you mean Oldboy doesn't have one in his collection?
Maybe JR has tried it?
Though if he has it won't get much use now he's gone over to medium format side 

[greypoint]

Oldboy would have to check through his inventory to find out which part of his lens warehouse had the shelf it's on before he could give it a quck test

Looks to be a good, reasonably lightweight, option but I've read conflicting things re AF both in terms of speed and the amount of front - or is it back - focussing toleration that Nikon find acceptable. Also the construction seems to be of the kind that attracts debris. Other than that I've only read good things about it re sharpness etc.  I'd rather like a faster lens in that sort of range.Just bought an 85mm f1.8 which I'm generally pleased with but wondering if that has a slight tendency to backfocus [ and I don't mean at f1.8 which has a very shallow DOF and would need a proper test to confirm]

[Jonathan]

Nope - never used one.  I know somebody who got a very good price on one 2nd hand and loved it but can't remember who that was.....

In theory it should be sharper than an 80 - 200 (yeah heresy) and should make a great best friend for the 85/1.8.  I've never tried one because my 70 - 200 is "good enough" and I know I'd hardly ever use it since the zoom gives me lots of advantages.

Is it cheap?

[greypoint]

I was looking on ebay and there was one for around £350 - not sure which version but would think the optics are the same. Grays of Westminster are showing one for £395 which would have the advantage of their warranty  so I would'nt have to worry about any of the niggles i've seen reported. I try to buy at a price where I can re-sell after a few months if I want or need to without too huge a loss. When I used Canon the best lens for both AF speed and sharpness was the 200mm f2.8 L and i got into using that sort of range so this would'nt be too different. Really liking the 85mm - very nice around f4 which is a handy sort of aperture DOF wise for what I want.