Nikkor AF 180mm f/2.8 D ED (FX) - Review / Test Report - Sample Images & Verdict
Lens Reviews - Nikon / Nikkor (full format)
Article Index
Introduction
Analysis
Sample Images & Verdict

Page 3 of 3

Sample Shots

The following sample shots were taken with a D3x and RAW-converted via CaptureOne.

Click on a thumbnail to view the original file (opens in a separate window).

Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 160
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 160
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 160
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure 1/640s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 160
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 160
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/8000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/320s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure 1/640s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 200
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/800s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/2500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/1250s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/200s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/8.0
Exposure 1/400s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/4.5
Exposure 1/640s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/4.0
Exposure 1/2500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/1000s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/2.8
Exposure 1/3200s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 125
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/3.5
Exposure 1/1600s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/500s
Make NIKON CORPORATION
Model NIKON D3X
ISO Speed 100
Focal Length 180.0mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Exposure 1/400s

Verdict

The AF-D 180/2.8 performs on a very high level. Center resolution is excellent wide open already, while the borders and corners show very good sharpness throughout most of the tested aperture range. Distortion, CAs and vignetting are well controlled and not field-relevant for most subjects.

Bokeh is generally quite smooth, except for the transition zone, but many lenses struggle in this area. As most fast primes, the AF-D 180 shows a significant amount of bokeh fringing at large apertures.

Typical for professional grade lenses, the build quality is excellent, except for the somewhat fiddly AF/MF switch.

So, in summary it's a nice and (comparatively) light-weight option to the high end f/2.8 tele zooms, at least for those who do not need the flexibilty of the zoom and mostly live on the long end of the 70-200mm range anyway. It is, however, not a cheap lens, especially since it a somewhat dated design nowadays. This is also reflected in the going price for used units, which is considerably lower than the current retail price.

Optical Quality:    
★★★★★
Mechanical Quality:
★★★★★
Price/Performance:
★★★★★

Click here for an explanation of our star ratings


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