Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED Ai-S : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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Airy

sent on 05 Marzo 2026

Pros: Image quality, sharpness, bokeh

Cons: no longer manufactured

Opinion: This lens is somehow the longer and heavier version of the legendary 105/2.5. Both have very similar imaging qualities. Fully usable at full aperture, even on a D800. Modern zooms (70-200/2.8 G VR II and successors) may well be slightly sharper with even less aberrations, in two words technically superior, but this older lens with a ridiculously simple optical formula (5 lenses in 5 groups) never disappoints. As pointed out by Mr. Carpi, it is front-heavy and, if mounted on a mirrorless camera via an adapter, it gets even heavier. Never mind. Also, it has no close-focus ability and this is where zooms are usually more flexible.

The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Giorgio Carpi

sent on 05 Marzo 2026

Pros: Almost everything.

Cons: No tripod mount

Opinion: One of my favorite lenses for film. It makes an impression already when you put your eye close to the viewfinder (SLR): very clear and contrasted image, very easy MAF. Previously I used the 200 f/4, beautifully manageable, but I wasn't too happy with it: the 180 is on another planet. Looking at test images taken from the same point, those taken with the 180 contain much more detail, despite the focal length being 90% of that of the 200. I won't dwell on superlatives, which should have been, but I observe that I found only one serious shortcoming: ergonomics. The lens is relatively heavy, moreover it is unbalanced forward (after all, at the time similar performances were only possible thanks to large and heavy front lenses in special glass) and moreover it is not an IF and focusing it also lengthens. Let's say that it is not clear how it could fit in the same catalog as the very handy 300/4.5 ED IF. It is true that the lens is well balanced on an F3 + MD-4 (and maybe Ni-Cd pack) handheld, but if you want to mount it on the tripod to make the most of its performance it is unbalanced, especially using the camera without motor, and even (much) worse with a modern digital (with adapter ring) like Fuji X-T2. I consider this a fairly heavy defect, so much so as to limit its usability, and for this reason, although sorry to lower the average, I give a grade of 9/10. If it had a tripod mount my vote would be 11/10.

Vincenzo Genovese

sent on 25 Agosto 2023

Pros: optical and mechanical quality, bokeh, colors, contrast and much more,

Cons: Delicate front lens, MAF ring a bit too frictioned for my taste

Opinion: They talk about it so well everywhere that in a moment of ordinary nostalgia I took one too, from Japan, equal to the new at an honest price. I reserve the right to update in the future after testing it a bit, for now everything fantastic except perhaps the ring of the maf a little too frictioned, a bit like the milvus to be clear, so much so that I sold the milvus to resume the same focal lengths but of the classic series.

Tzeol

sent on 08 Novembre 2022

Pros: Extraordinary optics! Color rendering, sharpness, contrast, bokeh, all at the highest level. To have such a long focal length it is also relatively compact and not too heavy (compared to the various 80 - 200 and 70 - 200 2.8)

Cons: I could say manual focusing..... But it is a characteristic of it, not a defect.

Opinion: I will not dwell on describing the virtues of this perspective rightly praised and declaimed. I could get boring. But every time I pick it up and take shots of it, I am punctually amazed by the yield of which it is capable. I'll just tell you that I'm a lover of portraits and portrait lenses: I currently own an 85 Tamron VC f1.8 (very sharp!!!!!!! ... scary!), a nikkor 105 f2.5 AIS, a sigma 105 f2.8 OS HSM, a 135 f2 AIS, a 135 f2 AF DC, an 80 200 AF-S (... without whistling, but with slow engine :-) .... and in the past I have owned other in the range of focal lengths indicated. The 180 AIS outclasses everything.... Even the excellent 135 F2, with a very nice yield, I still consider them optically inferior (especially for the phenomena of flare at full aperture). The only one able to "stand up to him" and the other multi-decorated Nikkor AIS, the 105mm f2.5 . End. Everything else is a notch below. PS: I had also bought the 180 AF 2.8, believing it was "a 180 AIS with autofocus motor" and reserving to sell the AIS. I used them both six months.... and I ended up selling the AF again.

Vittorio Barretta

sent on 13 Giugno 2017

Pros: Extraordinary optics

Cons: Nothing to object, sin does not have the af

Opinion: One of the best optics ever produced at this focal length along with 80-200 big whiskers, when used on canon 1d series, replace the camera's focus glass with the one equipped with a broken picture stigmometer for a perfect, accurate and precise mass In the focus, it will be a great pleasure to use this optic in these conditions on the nikon d700 and 300 and 800e no problem just set the memu management software for optics and have fun

Massimino65

sent on 13 Giugno 2016

Pros: excellent optical quality, pleasing blurred, flawless mechanics.

Cons: Nothing for her age.

Opinion: What about a lens like that? Excellent as all nikon a time. Crisp thrilling. optical quality in all senses and mechanical precision. The ring of focus is soft and pleasant like all AI-S. For those accustomed to manual focus is a real satisfaction. I found it used to 250 euro in excellent condition from an amateur photographer who used it only for a few portraits. Did I steal away. Now some people do not appreciate more such lenses. Now there is autofocus and these lenses are no longer for certain individuals. I'll keep sretto for life. Highly recommended !! A real lust.

Ayps

sent on 06 Settembre 2015

Pros: Sharpness, smooth ring of focusing, ED lenses. Integrated lens hood. magic blurred.

Cons: Second-cost, sensitive lenses. Unbalanced center of gravity forward.

Opinion: Compared to the 200 f4, this is more crisp and clear (the 200 is softer and ... painting, if we want) but the 180 has made more fuss, thanks to increased blurry and more vivid colors. rnCosta dear, I have paid 390euri (well maintained), but I do not think you are less than 350 if decenti.rnIo conditions the use of D700 and D3 and I must say that the yield is typically Nikon, brilliant and battered. The focus ring slips beautifully (like the 105 f2.5) and the sharpness is already good at f2.8, even if it is from f4 and older that gives the best of himself. Smaller apertures (22 and 32) hit hard diffraction ... but then, who uses them? !! It 'a nice beast to govern while shooting, is also pesantino and a little unbalanced forward due to its taper, and then to accept the challenge is great: no VR, no AF, important focal length (missing only the strong wind and someone who makes you the scherzi from behind while photographers!). rnSoffre a bit 'of AC (red / magenta dominant especially), so must be used appropriately to avoid them as much possibile.rnHa reason Ken Rockwell claiming that the 200mm f4 ais is great, but the 180 is superb , since the ED lenses do their duty trasmettebdo light without diperderla, blur and is really gelatinous dream: what is in focus is engraved in the crystal, and everything blurs fantastically creating a beautiful effect tapering off . Bokeh at f2.8 is almost the same as f4, then he begins to schiudersi.rnQuando dim light is' off 'a bit' frowning (exactly like the 105 f2.5). They are slow to give their best when light shines like crystals, or they can disappoint. In this respect, perhaps, are the most effective modern Nikon projects, although the yield is more silky and less vitrea.rnE 'a fantastic gem, to be guarded con care (the rear lens is only scratching at her) and pull off when you want to get something superb in terms of photography, although I think it is more for lovers than for ordinary users.

Antonvito Paradiso

sent on 02 Aprile 2013

Pros: Sharpness at all apertures except f/32 - Weight and size limited - Handiness - Construction optical / mechanical design at the top - Colours - Blur

Cons: It 's just manual focus and therefore not very suitable for dynamic photo and action. The first lens is a "ED" and therefore a bit 'tricky because most "tender" a normale.rnConviene protect it with a UV filter. Only machines with top of the range you can get data recovery.

Opinion: I have this light for about 30 years. After years of inactivity, with digital, thanks to Nikon's policy to maintain the same bayonet "F", is reliving momentirndi original splendor with the new rooms set D. It 'a real pleasure to come back to focus in manual mode (with the limitations mentioned above), set the diaframmarngirando a ring, look with calm precision and the focus point more appropriate ... so back to shoot with the conviction that still master of it-rntuazione. From an optical point of view, the performance is superb and as sharp as that colors which are a bit 'old-fashioned way with chromatic less of a contrast compared to today's optical RNTO "N" crystals. And what about the bokeh ...! at full aperture is fabulous! rnSempre more often in my bag to replace the 70/200 8.2 VR. Lose in convenience, but you want to put the satisfaction!