I have the old Tamron adaptall 80-200 LD f2.8 zoom lens. It has been a terrific lens for me and I use it on all my Nikons, including an F5. On the old Modern Photography tests it matched the resolution and contrast figures for the Nikon 180 f2.8 prime lens. I have shot a lot of published pictures with this lens and have blown up prints to 30x40. I never cease to be amazed with its sharpness. Does anyone have any idea how this lens compares to the contemporary comparable lenses? I'm considering the Nikon 80-200 with tripod bracket. Probably not the S version, because I don't use autofocus very much, and the test results and feedback indicate the lenses are pretty much comparable optically. However, if the Nikons aren't any better optically than the Tamron, why bother? The lens has lasted more than 10 years of hard work and hasn't failed yet. I'd appreciate any info on tests comparing the above lenses, or any other comparison. Thanks

-- Bob Hoffman (r.w.hoffman@gte.net), June 24, 1999

Answers

Bob, have you looked at these sites? PhotoZone has a Lens Performance Survey, and PhotoDo has objective tests on most of these lenses. I haven't looked to see if the Tamron is there, but I would be surprised if it isn't. Jim

-- Jim Meyer (jim_meyer@compusa.com), June 25, 1999.

Jim - Thanks for your response. I am aware of those web sites, but ,unfortunately my lens is not included. I believe it is just too old; long out of production. I'd love to see an MTF test like what photodo has in its tests, but I'm sure they'll never do it. Thanks

-- Bob Hoffman (r.w.hoffman@gte.net), June 25, 1999.

Bob, Unless you need the auto focus capability of the 80-200 then stay with what you have. If you do you won't lose quality with the 80-200.

-- Gary Wilson (gwilson@ffca.com), June 28, 1999.