Nikon 180mm f/2.8 AF ED Lens Review / sample images / Portrait lens / My official FULL review & more
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- čas přidán 10. 09. 2024
- #180mm #nikon180mm #180mmreview
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Hello everyone. Welcome to my official full review of the Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 AF ED Lens. In this video we will go through this lens in full detail. Here is a list of what we will talk about and discuss in this portrait lens fixed focal length review.
Is the Nikon Nikkor 180mm f2.8 AF lens a portrait photographer's ultimate paintbrush? Join me in this video and let us find out shall we.
Key Highlights in this video include
- Nikon 180mm Sample images
- Brief history on the 180mm
- 180mm specifications / tech specs
- BTS with this lens
- Video clips samples
- Slow motion video hand holding 180mm/IBIS/Nikon Z6/FTZ adapter
- Portrait Photoshoot with the 180mm shot at f2.8
- Comparison between Nikon 180mm and Nikon 70-200mm vrii
- Image quality
- Why I think the 180mm is a hidden gem
Are you looking for a portrait lens with character and amazing background blur? A lens not to expensive but delivering amazing results? This might be a good option. I bought nine used on Offer Up for $250 US. In this video I take a trip up to Mt. Baldy, CA and take some pictures with a few couple of cameras and good vibes.
Quick note. This lens just like all the other AF-D lenses will Auto Focus with Modern day Nikon DSLR cameras with AF motors. AS far as mirrorless cameras. You can use this lens on MF with the Nikon Z6 Z7 Z6ii Z7ii Z50 Z5. Lens will not AF with the Z cameras. Nikon D6 D5 D4 D4s D3 D3s D3x D2xs D2x D2h D2hs D850 D750 D700 D780 D500 D610 D800 D810 NO Problem AF
Special thanks to Ester for the photoshoot.
Music During the Specs and Portraits of Ester by
VENDETTA
Vocals - Sam McGee
Guitar - Ben Chan
Drums - Vahagn Vahagraphy :)
Piano / Keys - Greg Hosharian
Bass - Hiroshi Shibayama
Enjoy
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Rock & Roll everyone
VAHAGRAPHY - ROCK & ROLL PHOTOGRAPHY CHANNEL
Hi! I've a 180/2.8 ED AI-S which, as far as I know, have the same optics. It's one of my sharpest lenses but, seeing it compared to the 70-200 just made me love it even more! For my eyes, its color rendition and bokeh are what I came to appreciate since I began photographing in the 1970's. You mentioned "solid", I'd say "real": microcontrast, natural color, the right amount of sharpness . All the elements that build a classic lens, and that's what it is!
Thanks for the video!
Colors and skin tones are what this lens absolutely kills it on. And definitely black and white too. Great video Vahagan!
Thank you Freeman. Bingo!! Can't wait to actually have more portrait sessions with this lens and actually go in and fine tune the portraits in LT. I want to try it doing portraits in a studio setup with lighting. See how it does.
@@Vahagraphy so how do you find this with off camera flash
@@freddiefernandez522 haven't tried it yet, but Im sure it will rock. I don't see a reason why it shouldn't :)
The 180/2.8 is a legend and has been since the first version. Just wonderful look. A bit like the Zeiss 150/4.0 for the Hasselblad in its feel.
I have this lens, I love it! The image quality is outstanding!
It really is! Thanks for the comment. Reminded me I need to go out shooting more with it. Maybe this week. Thanks Neil.
You’re amazing. I really enjoy your content. Gives me a good vibe. Thanks for an amazing review. Just bought it because of this review. 🎉
thank you so much. Appreciate your amazing feedback and comments.
@@Vahagraphy of course my brother. Keep it up. I really enjoy this type of content.
The first AF version Mk1 had a smooth plasticky lens barrel and very thin manual focus ring. Version II MK2 had an updated thin rubberised mf focus ring. Version III MK3 (serial number 250001 onwards) had the beautiful crinkle finish barrel and much wider mf rubber focus ring, plus first time to see the metal barrel badge with gold lettering similar to the 300, 400, 500, 600, 800 and 1200mm pro telephotos) The 4th version MK4 (serial number 40001 onwards) retained the beautiful crinkle finish and added the D lens data and maintained the metal barrel plate with gold lettering .
Wow, very detailed facts and knowledge. Good input. I see you pay attention to fine details and appreciate every aspect of things. Great trait to have. You def do your homework and it shows. thanks Globetrotter.
Great info !
I just bought this lens on eBay. Should have done more research but got lucky.
Gold lettering , crinkle finish , mint condition and pumped.
From what I’ve seen this lens has phenomenal microcontrast.
I do have the ais version but wanted autofocus with this 180.
I miss a lot at f/2.8 and 180. I do fine with the 135 f/2.8 and lower .
Very useful. Many thanks!
I have this Nikon 180mm and amongst many quality lenses from Nikon and Fuji I have to say this is the one I’d keep if I had to ditch all the others. The built quality with the AMAZING hood that you hardly know it’s there when not in use and so easily to use by a tiny push and pull it’s the best design Nikon has ever made. And when you take a shot with it you’ll be hooked! Thank you for reviewing this pearl! I’m buying the Nikon mirrorless ZF with the adapter which I’ll need to use in manual focus only. I was led to believe that in my case I will have to be careful not to damage the camera so to be sure to set both the camera and the lens to manual focus. Anyone can elaborate?
Likewise the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 ED* AI-s (manual focus) is astonishingly good - and a legend in its own right. Leica-like build and optics to match.
Yes it is. How are the optics of that one vs this one? Any difference when it comes to lens formula? Focus ring feels good.
@@Vahagraphy Different optical formula: AF-D = 8 elements in 6 groups; AI-s = 5 elements in 5 groups. Aside from my Nikkor macro lenses, its sharpness is astounding! Here's what Ken Rockwell had to say about the Nikkor 180 f/2.8 ED* AI-s (manual focus): kenrockwell.com/nikon/180f28.htm
@@AntPDC Thanks for the info. Heard allot about the AI- S.
Great review. B&H had a used one and your review helped me decide to get it.. I do bird and flower photography. The bird photos with this lens are a little soft, however I'm still learning the lens. I'm using it on a tripod when I'm taking the bird photos. I think in time it'll work out great for the bird photos. The flower photos are stunning. I really like it. Thanks for a great review and turning me on to this lens.
Hello Bill. The Bokeh so butter soft. I had never really appreciated this lens until I bought one. Its built well and has quality. Its price is well worth the investment. You just cannot go wrong. Congrats on the 180mm. Use it in good health and happiness.
I'm also preparing to buy this lens, but I'm a little confused with its AF-D version, is there much of a difference? I don't shoot with Flash. As a matter of taste, I prefer the new one, but if you find a very nice AF-n, you should buy it, right?
Thank you for reviewing this lens in detail and very attractively when compared to the 70-200. I have the 80-200 MkIII but still like this fixed focal length lens. Compact and lightweight but with good quality, plus its current price is not too high but provides good quality.
Its a great lens, the AF-D is a newer version from the one I have which is the AF. Same glass.
I love that lens - it’s also the poor mans 300 2.8 👍🏻 try “Weihenstephan Hefe hell Weißbier” if you can get your hands on it
haha the poor man's 300 2.8. love that. the poor man's 200 f2 aswell. lol hehe I have a store close by sells all those different type of beer. I will def try that one. Thank you Pawel for the beer tip. Cheers
Got one exactly the same a couple of weeks ago imported from Japan for about $250 including taxes, very pleased 😎
Good price great lens, congrats. It is a keeper. light and easy to use without taking the heavy lenses out with similar results.
Great Video! I have the Nikkor *ED 180mm f2.8 AIS. Absolutely a gem of a lens. The images it produces blow my mind.
It truly is one of a kind. A keeper for sure. full of character. Sure the one I have is AF and when you MF on a Z body, the action on the focus ring is not smooth like yours but great optics all around.
Great review !
I have a used 180mm f2.8 aswell, I love it for portraits with my D850.🥰
Rock 'n' roll my friend 🤘 and hello from France 🇫🇷 😄
Thank you Baptiste. Rock N Roll. Ahh France. You must have amazing locations to shoot where you live. A photographers dream. An Artist dream actually. France is the Mecca of Art, history, and creativity.
Just got this lens and it’ll see use on my d850 for sure .
Just got it in the mail. Taken a few pictures with it. So far I love it.
Congrats John. Felt the same way when I found mine. First thing that stuck me was the actual size and weight. Its actually good when packing and traveling. Use it well and have fun JT.
As always, great review. I purchased the ais version about a month ago.. I have not had much a chance to use yet... just some test shots around the house. I’m motivated now ! Bought it for full body portraits so I think the softness wide open will be a benefit. Love the content you put out ! Keep on keeping on bro ! Rock n roll
Thank you John. Glad you are enjoying the videos. Congrats on the AIS. You have a gem of glass. Enjoying the process and journey of taking pictures is what lenses like these give to photographers. When we use lenses like this, its not how many pixels, how fast it focuses, ir how many FPS. its about the photograph and that is what photography should be all about. Allot of people get all caught up on the latest greatest, fastest they forget or don't appreciate the fine aspects of photography which is photography itself.
@@Vahagraphy agreed my brother. Enjoying non “contemporary” lenses especially manual glass. A bit more work but I’m enjoying past mater pieces. I just purchased a used Nikon z6. My first Nikon since the film days. Everybody is just slamming Nikon for not being Sony if you know what I mean. I love the ergonomics and the files (colors ) look so much better than my Sony. I’m done with the Sony toy lol just a request... can you review some of Nikon’s best ais lenses. I’m really getting into them. Would love to hear your take on them as you have been shooting Nikon for such a long time.
@@johndaubney7311 Congrats on the Z6. Everyone talks about sony video. I actually like the Nikon video image better than the sony. Sure the nikon doesnt have f log or some of those log profiles in camera, but still, i prefer the Nikon image out of camera than the sony. Ive owned the SOny A7- A7r A7rii A7s A7sii , short time but I did. Sold them all. Sure those AI-s lenses are amazing , I will make a note.
I am gonna have it soon!!! vahagan
I only stayed with 70-200 f2.8
But 180 is something different. Great shots👌🏻👌🏻😊
Thank you David. 180 is pleasing to use and pleasing results. You wont be disappointed. When buying make sure its in working condition. make sure the A M switch works. Watch for fungus inside and try the aperture ring. Make sure its not stuck and it clicks on the lens.
Hello, Thanks for this Video. I am considering to buy this this lens, because I am very budget orientated and I like good Nikon lenses. Thanky for this video!!
Hello Jens. this lens is a great buy. it delivers quality for a really good price.
The rendering of the 180mm is fantastic. Lots of depth to the image.
Hello Malcolm. Thank you for your comment. The 180mm is fantastic. Perfect for portraits. Im also going to make a video shooting portraits comparing this lens with the 105mm. See what lens has a more pleasing portrait result. Can't wait.
Your rock n roll intro is the best.
hehe thank you. ROCK N ROLL!!!!!
I find manual focusing rather unpleasant, I don't know if my camera has a problem, but it seems that some "points" are harder than others when focusing manually... Perhaps because of the movement caused by the internal motor over time...
I have an opportunity to buy this lens, if I like it. And, so far, I do. Some background… I had left my D7200 at a local camera store (that has been in business for 50 years) for a sensor cleaning. Picked it up about a week ago. While there, I saw this lens in his display case of used lenses. It had a price tag of, I believe, $450. It looks absolutely mint, can't see a mark or blemish on it, anywhere. Looks as if it has never been used or, if it has, not very much. The owner of the store told me, "Take it, play with it, see if you like it". I asked him, "What do you mean 'play with it'?" He said I could take it home and play with it, bring it back when I'm done and, he said, "If you like it, I'll make you a deal." Not sure what he meant by "deal", but from what I've been finding out, even $450 is a steal for a lens like this in the condition that it is in. Will he go lower on the price? I don't know. Throw in a filter? I don't know. Bottom line, I'm loving this lens. A lot. I already have a 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED-IF and, as sharp as it can be at times, it's not even close to this 180. After watching your video, I don't know, however, if I have a "D" or the earlier "N" version. It IS the metal build, with the rough finish outside and has the retractable lens hood.
Thanks for sharing. the 180 is great. a bit soft wide open or atleast mine is , but once you stop it down a bit it turns to a different beast. love the size and weight of the lens and it doesnt cost much to own one, if you find one for a good price, I call this lens the baby 200 f2 hehe .
Great portrait pictures, especially black and white. Sharp enough for me.
Cool review of the Nikon AF 180mm f2.8 ED lens, I like the color and bokeh of the background. I like that it is a f2.8, a bit pricey but very good. I like like the result that you got from the 300mm lens.
Thank you, Ahhh miss the winter weather here. Snow is always fun hehe
I just found a used copy with faulty AF for $100.. given that I'll be using it on Z system which doesn't allow AF anyways. Well you can call this an impulse buy since I'm also eyeing for the 135mm 1.8 Plena, but very excited to see how this goes
RArely are lenses at their best at their widest setting. With 180 mm, stopped down to 5.6 there is plenty of oof background so that is where I use it. I don't buy a lens "to use it wide open" I buy a lens to use it at the best performance for my usage. Usually, there isvirtually no difference i bg rendering from wide open and 1 stop shut down. 2 stops down there is minimal bg difference but the subject is usually noticably sharper. Not the sharpest, but for me, the best combination of subject sharpness and bg bokeh. These days for events/run and gun sold the 70-200 2.8 that killed my shoulder and replaced it with the 135 2.0 dc and with 46 mp can easily crop 50% making it a 270. Much lighter, better bokeh and no need to zoom, just crop in post which I do in most cases anyway.
Hey Vahagraphy....I knew you would like that lens. I use it on senior portraits sometimes. Glad to see this excellent review
Thanks again Marcusalan for bringing suggesting this lens. I really enjoy using it. Glad you enjoyed the review
Great video again!!!......this is a gem of a lens. BTW great background music 🤘🏼
Thank you Sergio. The music playing on the specs clip and Ester pictures is from a band I used to play with in the 90's. We recorded that . all original music. We played shows and rocked out. We had allot of fun. We called ourselves Vendetta, Actually my intro title music jingle on all my videos is another Vendetta track. 🤘🏼
that's an oldie but it's not a bad lens at all.. When compared to the 70-200 I didn't see a dramatic difference. For the price you got it, no one can complain and you are getting professional grade portraits
Very similar results. Yes the price makes it sweet too. The weight and size is a plus aswell. 70-200 is heavier and bigger. this one is good when traveling and hiking.
LOVE THIS LENS!!! one of my best portrait lenses... my others are the
Tokina 100mm 2.8 Macro
Nikon 85mm 1.8
and my Nikon 55mm AF 2.8 Micro
Yes, its a great portrait lens indeed. that 85mm 1.8 is stellar as well. the other 2 you mentioned , I haven't had the chance to shoot with them.
@@Vahagraphy the tokina is tac sharp. the 55mm AF VERSION maybe hard to find but for a 30year old lens... IT'S SHARP
I also own this tokina and it is sharp to the last pixel.
@@filipbueno to the last👊🏾
@@filipbueno really. on my wish list to get.
Mine is the first AF version 1983 very sharp and excellent output
Amazing portrait lens and beautiful background blur. 2 thumbs up for sure. Enjoy the 180mm Dan!
@@Vahagraphy Thank you
Splendid review, beautiful lens. Many thanks! 👍👍👍
Muchas gracias. Yo lo quiero usar en una Nikon f80 analógica y en una d7200 funcionaría el af en ambas verdad??
Hi Jorge. Do those cameras you mentioned have focus motors? If they do then this lens will AF. I know the D7200 does but not sure on the other camera.
@@Vahagraphy muchas gracias entonces si … por q el 50mm 1.8 ed si funciona. Mi próximo objetivo será este. Gracias por tu review
Hello vahagn.
Greetings for your new lens .Really nice review like always. I really like this lens and on your comparison to 70-200 i think that 180mm make more pleasant shots. I always love primes . On the Nikon portrait lens i saw the dramatic shots from 200mm f2 even better than 85mm 1.4 . Did you compare it with those two lenses?
Thank you and good luck .
THank you Mohammad. glad you enjoyed it. I used to have the 200 f2 years ago. not no more. never compared them however I do have some images I took with that lens, I would rather review that lens fully when I have a copy. We shall see if I can get one or borrow or rent one in the future. I will say the 200 f2 is amazing to be expected, however the weight and price. I don't know about that. lol
great review mr.Vahagan! very nice background in Mount Baldy btw
Thank you Carlos. Love it when it snows. Fresh snow, clean air, happy people. and cameras. haha glad you enjoyed the review
GREAT review . . .thank you very much.
Keep 'em coming !
Thank you JPV. Got a few reviews coming soon. Stay tuned!! hehe.
Oh boy, this is making me want to find a AI-S version for my manual focus film cameras.
Great review!!….Great Lens and a Great Vahagraphy 👍🏻😁
would this type of lens work on a Nikon D3200 DSLR camera?
Dang you changed your intro! who put the squeeze on you? bring it back! Love the lens btw....
Can I use the auto focus of the 180mm lens on my Nikon D3400?
I don't think that camera has focus motors. If your camera has AF focus motors then yes. You will need that in order to have AF with D lenses.
What body/bodies were you shooting?
Photography D800 Video. Z6 , and there is 1 or 2 clips in there with a n iphone hehe
Awesome review thinking to get onw with D700.
Thank you Singh. Glad you enjoyed it. When buying lenses like these watch out for defects, fungus, make sure buttons work and aperture ring is not stuck . good luck
It would go well with your D700. Again, especially doing black-and-white images
@@Vahagraphy thanks a lot, yeah i ll check.
@@Capcity44 yeah really love Bnw and Bmw both. thanks
I was 33 and still shooting with Minolta cameras and lenses.
I love minolta. I had a set of ROKKOR lenses. One the 58mm f1.2 lens. ahhh Regret selling that lens.
American beer is like making love on the beach...
**F***ING CLOSE TO WATER**
I like Beer from Germany and Japan. Japan when Im going for sushi. German beer is great.
I like mine, but it has pretty severe CA in contrasty conditions.
If you can avoid those conditions then this lens is a might fine portrait lens.
Brilliant video as always.
Thank you Nik, this was one of my favorite reviews to make. The location was amazing and ahhhh I miss the cold weather right now. Its very hot here is California this week. :) The 180mm is great and I can recommend this lens to all. Not to expensive to get and delivers quality results.
@@Vahagraphy come to Ireland it's cold & windy right now
@@NikCan66 ahh how I need the cold weather right now hehe . never been to Ireland but one day I will for sure.
great review for a great lens.
this lens only have one purpose and the best in it
My guess has to be... Portraits? Great for this and bokeh.
Of course you didn't sell it, it's one of the best Nikon lenses ever made !!!
Is it wrong I want one 🤟greetings from the UK 🇬🇧
It is not wrong, it is RIGHT. hahah light, easy to travel with, built well. great optics, 2.8, doesn't cost that much, what more can you ask for. :)
10:03 in germany we say Alltag
hehe yup.
Iso 850
hehe close, higher :)
just buy a used 180 f/2.8D for $ 300
Congrats. How do you like it so far?
@@Vahagraphy Not as sharp as 70-200 vii, but acceptable, good Portrait lens. very light ,can be carried everyday.
@@VahagraphyIt has a green coating, the old version is red
@@ffffff7773 What stood out to be is the bokeh and the size and weight like you mentioned. and i feel it has a bit more reach than the 70-200 at 200.
@@ffffff7773 interesting fact. I have to see which version I have.
Color is better on the 180
the 180's micro contrast is A++ . colors are solid. The feel is great and this lens is very affordable out there used.
@@Vahagraphy absolutely
lots of blah blah blah. go straight to the point next time
Whats up Ram. Whats wrong? you don't like Bah Blah's Some can be works of art like this. czcams.com/video/YHjQZJ1RLQA/video.html