Nikon 180mm f2.8 Ai-s Real World Review on the Z6 camera 

Yep. It is incredible how bad the front element can be and still produces beautiful photos. There are a lot of really good deals on eBay because of this phenomenon. 👍😎📸

@@davidsaylors let's keep that on the low down....lolol

😂😬🤷🏻‍♂️📸

@@davidsaylors I first noticed this on my macro lens, I just use a blower to blow the visible dust off the UV filter.. I had been using the lens and the pics had no artifacts or any defects and I just happened to look at my UV filter under bright light and it looked like it had been left outside for a month lol...no scratches or anything just pollen and small dust particles from close up shooting but there was no effect on the images

bassangler73 That is funny, because I Bailey did the same thing in Israel. It was probably day 7 of the trip and I just happened to look at the lens and it was filthy! 😳👍📸 So I cleaned it out of compulsion, but you can’t tell it in the photos😂📸📸📸

There is a wide ranging group of theories on that, but I tend to agree with you. Nothing can overcome old world craftsmanship in my opinion. People seem to forget that for some reason... 👍📸

Thank you for the kind words, I really do appreciate it. 👍😉📸 That Photo Camera to me while in line at a coffee shop. The cigarettes were positioned perfectly and I couldn’t pass it up.

There is a distinct possibility that you are right...

Those are amazing lenses, even in today’s world, just like you mention. I regularly use these old girls with good effect and have zero regrets about it. I also agree that they are MUCH better built than the newer lenses too. Much better!👍📸😉

I do love that lens. For a older technology design, it does produce amazing results. Thank you!!!

Thank you Jacob, I really appreciate it. The lens does perform really well. 👍📸

I did this review to show how bad a lens could be damaged and it would still produce great results. You are right, the quality of the lens is shocking. It is just that good. Thank you👍📸

You will love it. The image quality is just amazing!👍📸

Thank you for watching!!! It was a lot of fun to make this video. I really appreciate it. 👍📸

Thank you so much 👍📸 I really appreciate that!!! This lens is one of Nikon’s best kept secrets in my opinion. Stellar performance for pennies on the dollar. I was blown away by how good it worked. Thanks again!👍📸

😂 It is an adaptation of “safe queen” from the firearm community...😆🤷🏻‍♂️ Best I could come up with while improv recording 😬 Thank you on the image compliment, I like that one too, it is one of my favorites to be honest. 👍📸

After using that lens the other day, I can see why!!! Great piece of glass and cheap too!!! Thanks!!! 👍😉📸

It is one of those magical lenses that Nikon made, I must admit. 👍📸

That is becoming a crowd favorite and it’s mine from this shot as well. 😎📸

Yes, that focus magnification function makes it SO much reaper to get focus. I actually like using primes like this on the Z6, it is actually fun. Thanks! 👍😉📸

Thumbnail is outstanding, BTW. :)

Thank you, I am working on improving them, honestly I think only another youtuber will even notice, but I do appreciate that you did notice. Thanks👍📸

The lens compression is incredible, it just works.

Yes, the background renders so nice, it is a grotto portrait lens now that I see what it can do. 👍📸

I should have tested for that on some deliberate B&W photos... It blew my mind at how well it worked. Thank you so much for all you do. 👍😉📸

Yes, most excellent portrait lens!👍 You are correct!!!

Nice. The D850 being a high resolution monster, I had wondered if it would show up since these lenses were not designed for this much resolution. Thanks!👍📸

Agree on those three, sold my 105 because i found 135 similar and more usefull and now checking out 180mm to purchase. Another great is 85mm 1.8, very nice lens, never tried f2 version though.

Thank you James, you hit the nail on the head about expanding my horizons, it is so easy to get into a rut with my photography... 👍📸

The only thing that concerns me about the 180mm f/2.8 AF-D (and its 300mm f/4 sibling) is the exposed diaphragm at the rear, wherein there's no rear lens element to protect it from grunge.

@@AntPDC Just be aware of the "issue" and treat them a bit nicer than you might with a beater lens (I have a couple of older AF-D zooms that are perfect for street). I usually will mount the 180, or the 80-200, on a body and it simply remains mounted the whole shoot (trying to do "baseball" cards at the grandson's games, etc). I have that 300 f4 AF-S and had never noticed. Diaphragm is sure in there a long ways. I don't shoot it that much anyway though it usually is with the same constriction, once mounted it never moves until I'm putting it back in the case.

@@jamesoliver6625 Thank you James. Like you, I take care of my lenses, but that particular design (which I don't think has ever been repeated) calls for a great deal of caution when buying used copies. The Japanese seem to cherish the lenses they own (and make) - although, since the Tsunami, I've seen anecdotal reports of fungus and balsam separation problems in lenses being mis-described on eBay as "Exc ++". Looking closely at the pictures of the lens being sold is a great thing to do! Best wishes.

Thank you! Those lenses are truly amazing devices for what they cost now, such great photos can be had with them for pennies on the dollar and most people scoff at them since they are not automatic... Our little secret I guess, lol. Thank you again and congrats on the find!!! Well done!

@@davidsaylors To make the lens cap a bit easier to fit, on mine a put just a smell of oil on the thread. My best!

Trying to find one now. Nice little lens! Have you looked at the 105mm f2.5? That is also a great lens in this focal length. I don’t normally have too much trouble focusing anymore, I have been practicing so long with manual lenses that it is pretty easy to me now.

I will have to check, but I think I might have that lens! More to come!!! 👍📸

It is an awesome lens. You will love it.

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. 👍😉📸

It is Grant Gauvreau, a Photographer from south Florida that has come up to shoot street with me a couple of times. He left it with me after his last trip up so I could review it and do a little shooting with it. He is @thatgrantgauvreau on Instagram. Go take a look at his work, is it per strong. He has already shot a magazine cover or two. Great guy.

It is a simple adapter ring by K&F Concepts that I got from Amazon. It is super cheap. Works like a charm. 👍📸

@@davidsaylors Wow! That’s just the one I was looking at online and wondering about. Glad to know it really works. Ordering one immediately. Thanks for taking the time to answer.

@@warlordpriest1 No problem!!!

@@davidsaylors And I got a very clean copy of that lens today. It seems to function very well with the adaptor so I’m looking forward to taking it out. A whole new approach, using primes instead of relying heavily on zooms. It’s gonna be interesting.

@@davidsaylors If I could ask one more question: After adapting these lenses and inputting the “non cpu” data of these lenses into the camera are they automatically stabilized?

Interesting. I seem to always cross thread them for some reason. I use them occasionally as some of my lenses came with them and I havent bought plastic caps for them yet. That lens might have bad threads as it was beat up pretty good. That is a distinct possibility to be honest. Lol.

The 180mm ... if I had to choose just one. Because it is a stop faster. I find myself shooting in low light much more than I care to admit, so having the larger aperture is a huge selling point to me.

@@davidsaylors I was definitely leaning toward the 180mm for the same reasons - thanks!

Your welcome! Thank you!!!

@@davidsaylors So loving these older lenses as much as you do (so it seems), I did wind up picking up one of these 180 AIs lenses for myself about a month ago. In that month, I've found that I completely agree 100% with your review. My particular copy is in really nice shape, and it's one of the last ones manufactured, judging by the serial number - but it IS a challenging lens to fit in. Yes, street photography can be difficult with this one until you find the range - like the guitar player at about 6:00 into your video - perfect shot. But holy cow, when you do find the sweet spot for what this lens was made for, you're right - it takes phenomenal photos. Anyway, I'll be taking it on vacation with me in about a week, so I'm hoping to get some interesting shots with this lens. On a side note, I do have a fair share of Nikon AI-s lenses, and I definitely appreciate the build quality of all of them. But this 180 is in a league of its own. Maybe because it's so big and heavy, but who cares? I definitely understand why many people call it their favorite lens!

late to the party here, but I see those 2 as pretty different. the 200mm f/4 is really pretty light and easy to lug around, and it's also very sharp to my eyes, even at f/4. I use it for walking around in parks and short hikes. The 180 f2.8 is heavier and has a longer throw (I have the Nikkor-P, AI converted) version and it harder to use out in nature, IMO. But it's a great lens for portraits and I love it for gardens.

Yes, my XT3 is pretty easy to use with manual glass, but my Z6 also is really easy to work with now that I have focus magnification set to a function button...

😂 yep, that screw on lens cap was a problem for me. I think it was probably a journalism lens or something like that…🤷🏻‍♂️📸

Yes, I should make space for them on my website, and at least upload one of the photos from these videos there for reference, I didn’t have the website for the first couple of years, so I got into the habit of not doing that so now it has become how I work when I make a video. Old habits are hard to break for some reason... Thank you👍📸

Right. Even if David uploaded in 4k, that would still barely scratch the surface of this lovely lens' real-world IQ, if you'll forgive the pun...

Thanks! 😉👍📸

Yeah, I found you to be exactly right. Primes are just like golf clubs. That is a great analogy. Here lately, I have been just taking the camera and leaving the whole bag in the truck and it is quite liberating. Also, that is a great point about the long focal length lenses, I have wanted to try to shoot street photos with my 200-500mm and see what the reaction would be 😂📸 I have never done it though... 🤷🏻‍♂️

@@davidsaylors - as an alternative, I recently picked up one of the older 80-200 f/2.8 push/pull lenses. These things can be had for amazingly little money. I got mine on eBay - seriously mint condition for $169, and it takes A M A Z I N G photos. Back in the day, like the 180mm f/2.8, the 80-200 f/2.8 was truly a professional lens. Heavy and solid enough to use as a hammer. Buy this, and you can ditch your 100mm, your 135mm and your 180mm f/2.8 lenses. You won't be able to tell the difference. And you'll have screw-drive auto focus to boot!

Yes sir! I have not owned that lens yet, I bought the 70/200 f2.8 early on so I haven’t ever picked one up, but you are not the first person to tell me a story like this. Great glass always shows through!👍

No sir. I borrowed that lens from Grant and he still had it. Wonderful lens. I just never got one.

That screw-on lens cap was tough for me 😂🤷🏻‍♂️ I just could get it to work. I must admit that I didn’t have high hopes for this lens before I used it. It was rough from use. But I was blown away by what it could do. Thank you!👍📸

Yes sir. It will work fine on your D7500. You are correct in that the camera cant control it and that it is a manual lens. It is a wonderful lens, I was truly impressed with it. 👍📸

Use one of these little guys. Fotasy Nikon Lens to Sony E-Mount NEX Camera NEX-5R NEX-5T NEX-6 NEX-7 a6500 a6300 a6000 a5100 a5000 a3500 a3000 NEX-VG30 NEX-VG900 NEX-FS100 NEX-FS700 NEX-EA50 PXW-FS7 Adapter www.amazon.com/dp/B003X1FSCS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_QNREDBHK5WZXKFHKXG1K 👍📸

@@davidsaylors thank you soo much sir

I however been thinking about getting one of those and selling my 70-200mm f2.8, just to be honest. The 80-200mm is a great lens for a fraction of the money.

I had the first version of the 70-200 and I like the manual focus 80-200's better with closer focusing and actually faster focus and less weight, VR was nice but not necessary. What you pay in tax on a new 70-200 you can get 3 or 4 old 80-200 in good condition and not be worried about damaging your lens.

Ezra, I've got the 80-200 f4.5 newer version and I can honestly say with perhaps the exception of the 135mm f3.5, out of my 12 Ai/Ais lenses it's that one that the output quality to price ratio is my favourite. Brilliant value for money. I've been wanting the 180mm for some time as a step up in quality from my 200mm f4 when I don't mind carrying solely that lens given the extra weight. Because they were a photojournalist favourite they are more often than not in the well used category.

@@robinlennon4752 I have both the f4 ais and newer f4.5 ai 80-200 and both are pretty good for zooms to use when there is enough light so you can keep shutter speed up with out having to use high ISO. The 180mm 2.8 ed is better for lower light situations than the 80-200's. For the price if you are shooting in daylight and subjects about the size of an orange or bigger the 80-200 is the way to go.

@@willapanews9761 Yes that 2.8 could come in handy. I'm going out today testing the 200mm f4 Ais on my Fuji X-T20 against the native 55-200mm on my X-T2 for a comparison, as there is that crossover with the 180mm & 55-200mm but I love the quality and manual handling of Ais in unison with modern Fuji AF.

Most likely it has to be the aperture detection pin on the camera is stuck on something that has to do with the lens. That is how the camera knows whatthe aperture is set on the lens. Check that it is touching the aperture ring in the tight spot and is not in a bind.

Thank you, I really appreciate it!👍📸

That is an interesting point and one that someone else pointed out. The artifacts on the front element will probably produce huge flares when pointed at the sun... that is a condition I didn’t have that day. But diffuser light, it worked amazingly well.

Yeah you could probably still get good photos with that lens with good bokeh pointed away from sun if you can see sky through leaves or have patches of light and shadows in background.

I used my 180mm tonight and got a few good pictures of comet neowise, one with shooting star.

Nice! I think it is about to be out of view for us to hear, at least, without a telescope. I photographed it a week or so back when we had a clear sky. It is incredible.

I also took photos mostly with a 55mm 1.2 of comet at beginning of the week it was brighter then and of course it clouded up when comet was closest to earth. I was still able to get some good photos before early morning fog started to form when there was clear skies and from area with very low amounts of light pollution with the 180mm 2.8 lenses. Makes me wish I had given in to my desires for the 300mm f2.8 ais. The light reflecting off the moon illuminated another portion of the tall that was not as bright with just sun light from one direction in the photos I took earlier this week.

Yep, as long as it is mechanically sounds, the appearance doesn’t matter. World of difference in a well used lens and an abused lens. This one is well used. 👍📸😉

Thanks for the link to the article, I really enjoyed that. This makes me want to get a copy of this lens even more than before now, the history is really interesting to me and the glass doesnt hurt anything either... lol

@@davidsaylors The one you used here was a loaner? At any rate, mine arrived from Japan the other day (mostly all the best copies come from Japan), and somehow Customs didn't charge tax and import duty - dunno why. This lens is a work of art all by itself: superb construction; flawless optics. Its imaging is so stellar on my D810 that my eyes almost bled, it's that fabulous. When all the modern plastic lenses, stuffed to the gunnels with electronics die in the dirt, this and other older lenses will live on for my great great grandchildren's enjoyment. Thank you for reviewing it here.

Yes. Grant was gracious enough to let me use it for the recipe and to shoot with it for a few weeks. He is an awesome guy. This is one of those lenses that they “got just right” at Nikon. Like the 28mm f2.8 Ai-S and the 105mm f2 DC Nikkor. I really liked it... ALOT. 😎😬 I will be getting one at some point... 👍📸

I look at the in-camera light meter and it shows the exposure based on the metering mode I am using at the time. Usually if you are shooting with fairly large apertures and shutter speeds faster than 1/10 second the EVF will give you what the image is going to look like anyway. That is how I am getting the exposure on all my mirrorless cameras.

@@davidsaylorsthanks! Is the metering still accurate when you stop down the aperture manually on the lens? For instance, when you want to get a deeper DOF?

@@esmither Yes, it does, the only problem you run into is long shutter speeds with start to give you incorrect previews so I will just take test photos when that happens. Otherwise, as long as , the shutter speeds are faster than about 1/10 second, then it will meter “preview” will be right. Did that answer your question?

@@davidsaylors Yeup, thanks a bunch!

Your are Very welcome!👍

I think you are right. That lens cap didn’t see must use if I had to guess. Probably stayed in the camera bag... UNLIKE the lens😂 But it still works well.

No, I have not. I have not had most of the AF series lenses yet. Most of them are wonderful though.

@@davidsaylors For the first time EVER in 16+ years buying used lenses from Japan I have to return a 180mm f2.8 AF-D to the seller because of a broken M/A switch - the outside switch seems to work fine but internally it's broken because when mounted in "M" position the screw drive turns when focusing manually. Obviously that's not good. The S/N of the lens I'm returning is 416591 and I'd avoid that copy if it should pop up again soon for sale. Locally the cost to repair it here would run $395 (assessment fee plus repair time) plus parts if they can be found so not worth repair IMHO.

@@bradl2636 I had the AI-S and AF-D versions, AI-S is the best imo, sharper, less CAs...AF-D is obviously better AF ;) .

It is a prime lens, it is factory set at 180mm only.

Adapted with the FTZ, it can be used on the Z7 as well. It is just a manual lens though, so it has to be manually operated on all the functions. 👍📸

@@davidsaylors thanks

@@davidsaylors thank you

Go in and tell it that it is a non-cpu lens in the menu. Maybe that will fix the problem with the lack of metering. I just run it and either adjust the image to look like ai want in the viewfinder or look at the histogram. You can cycle through the disp options till the histogram comes on and it will show you at least where the image is in relation to exposure enough to know if you are out of normal bounds. I was certain I could see the meter, but to be honest, that might be my D810...

@@davidsaylors Thanks for the quick reply!. I did tell my camera in the menu of the non-CPU lens but have not still had a meter. THe Z 7 doesn't really need a meter as it shows you what the image will look like so that is what I have been doing. Love the lens for macro flowers but would like to get closer....maybe extension tubes??

It is surprising how well simple extension tubes actually work and yet people still obsess over high end macro lenses. Grab a set and see how the work for you. 👍📸

😂 That is pretty ... intimate... of a relationship with you glass😂 But it is that good. Shockingly good. 👍📸

It does, I was a little surprised to see how good it renders to be honest. 👍📸