I'm Confused!

[phillipb]

This guy is selling a Nikon 80-200mm AF-ED F2.8 Zoom Lens on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Nikon-80-200mm-A ... dZViewItem
but he says that it is not compatible with digital bodies.
Can someone explain why?

[Justin]

'cos he's a goose? or a weak attempt at sales-speak?

NOTE: This lens CANNOT be used in conjunction with a digital body - they aren't compatible. If they were, there's no way I'd be selling this lens, it's far too good.

I mean, the last half of that statement is completely ridiculous! Of course he is entitled to his opinion!

If it's an f-mount from the last 20 years (and considering it's an AF lens, I guess it would be!) then it's compatible.

I would post a question asking if it is an f-mount and whether he has actually tried it in a digital body...

[Glen]

I would guess either he doesn't know they are or that it is a marketing ploy to look naive

[phillipb]

Well, I've asked the question, let you know when he replies.

[phillipb]

I got a reply, are you ready for this?

That's a terrific question. So terrific, that I went down to my camera shop to find out. As it turns out, it is a D-Series lens which only works with certain digital bodies. It didn't work with my D70, however it just operated beautifully on a D200 body. They believe that it should work on the mid-to-high end bodies, so if that's you, you're laughing.

Wonder how he managed to get anywhere near all those celebrities he was supposed to have photographed.

[Justin]

Stay away!

If he doesn't know the difference between D-series (it has an aperture ring!) and F-mount (all current nikon bodies) then it's up to you to educate him

This is a very unique lens and should be sold at twice the price - it works on D200 but not D70!


In the Nikon PDF it even notes the DX field of view for this lens -

http://wiki.dslrusers.net/index.php?title=Nikon_Lens and then click the 'auto focus lenses' link for the PDF.

[losfp]

D-series (it has an aperture ring!)

Justin, I think you might be getting confused yourself The G-series is the ringless one.....

[Justin]

Um no that's what I said, the guy is actaully correct it is a D-series lens - it has an aperture ring.

D-series (it has an aperture ring!)

[Glen]

Just to save any confusion between you guys, D refers to Distance, it was an enhancement to AF lenses to offer Distance metering for flash use. Many lenses other than D have aperture rings. Many models were available as Af then AFD eg 85 1.8 AF, now is 85 1.8 AFD, essentially the same lens.

[PiroStitch]

i have that same lens and works a beaut on the d70...unless there's a difference b/ween the earlier versions of the 80-200?

[Justin]

I learn something new every day - thanks Piro I thought the difference between D and G was ring and no-ring...

edited: thanks to Glen as well

[phillipb]

I learn something new every day - thanks Piro I thought the difference between D and G was ring and no-ring...

You may want to thank Glen as well, Justin

In any case, there's no reason at all that a D lens shouldn't work on a D70.

[Yi-P]

As long as it is Nikon F-mount, all lenses dated back to 60s and 70s can work beautifully on a D70, there is no reason why it will not work if it is a F-mount, you will not get metering from the camera, but the lens should mount and camera can fire off from manual mode.

[Glen]

Again in the interest of good information, sort of Yi-p Here is a chart with some compatabilty information, note carefully the red sections, these combos will damage lens or camera

http://www.aiconversions.com/compatibilitytable.htm

[Yi-P]

Ahh-haa, the pre-AI lenses, that slipped off my mind, thanks for reminding me Glen

[Justin]

hey look here's a D200 with 80-200 thread over at Dpreview, guess it will all be OK in the end!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=20292835

[phillipb]

I told the guy that the camera shop people didn't know what they were talking about so he rang them back. It seems that the lens was set to manual and now that he put it on auto, it works with his D70.
I had the urge to ask him if he was now not going to sell it after the comments he put on his description, but I decided not to bother him anymore.

[MHD]

Hmmm.... Wonder if it is stolen...

[Justin]

Phillip good on you for following up I think you should leave him alone the more info he has the more likely he will con someone. It's almost at the point where it is worth reporting to ebay - his description on his wide and varied use does not match someone who does not know if a lens is set to MF or AF...

the other item for sale is a piece of car trim

[phillipb]

You're right Justin, and furthermore, if he tried it on a D200 in the store, the lens would have been put on auto for it to work, why would it not work on his D70 when he got home?
Nah, too fishy for me.