Excellent Lens, one of Nikons good ones ...... Just picked up, from a local camera store, a like new Nikon 180mm 2.8 non D lens for $425, hope I did not pay too much. I sold my...

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Just picked up, from a local camera store, a like new Nikon 180mm 2.8 non D lens for $425, hope I did not pay too much. I sold my previous version about 6 months back and have always regretted the decision. This lens is one of the sharpest lens I have ever used. I have attached a couple samples. These samples have been post processed in Lightroom 5.6.

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Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Is that a sensor spot?

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amehta Loc: Boston

Searcher wrote:

Is that a sensor spot?

It looks like bolts in the fence.

amehta Loc: Boston

authorizeduser wrote:

Just picked up, from a local camera store, a like new Nikon 180mm 2.8 non D lens for $425, hope I did not pay too much. I sold my previous version about 6 months back and have always regretted the decision. This lens is one of the sharpest lens I have ever used. I have attached a couple samples. These samples have been post processed in Lightroom 5.6.

The 180mm f/2.8 seems to be one of the "forgotten" lenses in the Nikon stash.

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

Ahhh, no wonder you got it back.... Really good lens... Sharp as a tack....

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

amehta wrote:

It looks like bolts in the fence.

The right hand one is a bolt. look at the one I have ringed or is it a bolt but out of focus?

amehta Loc: Boston

Searcher wrote:

The right hand one is a bolt. look at the one I have ringed or is it a bolt but out of focus?

I do not think it is a sensor spot. If you compare the two pictures, they are in different positions, they move with the planks in the fence.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

authorizeduser wrote:

Just picked up, from a local camera store, a like new Nikon 180mm 2.8 non D lens for $425, hope I did not pay too much. I sold my previous version about 6 months back and have always regretted the decision. This lens is one of the sharpest lens I have ever used. I have attached a couple samples. These samples have been post processed in Lightroom 5.6.

There were 6 non-D versions of this lens, which do you have?

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Yes I have that lens and its is truly amazing....you can do all sorts of things with it. The older D version I mean.

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authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Bolt in the shed

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

RWR wrote:

There were 6 non-D versions of this lens, which do you have?

How do I tell which lens I actually have is there were 6?

Morry Loc: Palm Springs, CA

I too have one of these old 180mm Nikkor-P Auto lens (ser. # 320447) which I picked up for $50 used with original Nikkor leather case maybe 25 or 30 years ago and never found a use for it. Mine does show its use as it was used by the photographers at The Seattle Times for years. It was a very highly regarded lens by pros at one time. Mine has good glass but the built-in shade is gone. I have held onto it thinking I might one day find a use for it -- but that day has yet to come. I'm not sure which digital if any Nikon bodies this lens will still work on without have some kind of modification to the mount. I understand that this is arguably the sharpest lens ever in the Nikon stable of lens.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

authorizeduser wrote:

How do I tell which lens I actually have is there were 6?

What is engraved on the barrel and the ring around the front element (first 3 digits of the serial number)? We can narrow it down from there.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Morry wrote:

I too have one of these old 180mm Nikkor-P Auto le... (show quote)

Yours is the first version of this lens, 5 elements in 4 groups, produced from 1970-74. Indeed, an excellent lens.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Bret wrote:

Yes I have that lens and its is truly amazing....you can do all sorts of things with it. The older D version I mean.

According to my reference (Braczko, which only goes to 2000), the first D version was produced in 1994. I do not know if there are any newer versions. The first ED version was produced in 1980. All were fine lenses.