When is an 80-200mm f/2.8 better than an 18-200mm superzoom?
Asked 4/24/2011
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I'm new to DSLR lenses and trying to understand the trade-offs between a telephoto zoom like an 80-200mm f/2.8 and an all-in-one 18-200mm lens. For example, on a Nikon D7000, why would someone choose an 80-200mm f/2.8 instead of an 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6? In what shooting situations is the 80-200 preferable, and what are the downsides compared with the superzoom?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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The biggest reason for difference in the two lenses is aperture. The 80-200mm is a constant f/2.8 throughout the focal range and the 18-200mm varies from f/3.5 to f/5.6, so substantially slower, especially at the far end. All this really means is that the 80-200 can let in more light at the same focal length over the other.
Also, generally, zooms with constant apertures are higher grade lenses. I hesitate to make this statement a truism, but it pretty much is. Consumer grade lenses are often massive zoom ranges with variable aperture whereas more professional grade variants are smaller zoom ranges and constant apertures. The professional variants tend to be fast, sharper, and better built. There are exceptions, but this is generally the case regardless of brand.
So, that is why you might make the choice of the 80-200mm lens. I made such a choice with a Pentax variant not so long ago...
Edit
To answer your other question, I would probably recommend the super zoom (18-200) for a newcomer if you want a single, general purpose, lens. I would expect the 80-200 to be optically superior, but also more expensive, and it would probably mean a second, equally expensive, lens to fill in the range. Worth it to some of us, but not for everyone.
Originally by user472. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user472
15y ago
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An 80-200mm f/2.8 and an 18-200mm superzoom serve different priorities.
Choose the 80-200mm f/2.8 when you want better performance at telephoto lengths: it has a constant wide aperture, so at 200mm it lets in much more light than an 18-200mm at f/5.6. That helps in low light, allows faster shutter speeds, and can improve autofocus performance. Lenses with smaller zoom ranges and constant apertures are also generally sharper, better corrected, and more robustly built.
Choose the 18-200mm when convenience matters most. It covers wide to telephoto in one lens, so you carry less and avoid lens changes. The trade-off is that superzooms usually give up some image quality, speed, and sometimes focus performance in exchange for that huge range.
So the 80-200mm is preferable for sports, events, portraits, and other telephoto work where image quality and light-gathering matter. The 18-200mm is preferable for travel and general walk-around use where versatility outweighs ultimate optical performance.
The downsides of the 80-200mm are its limited range, larger size, heavier weight, and typically higher cost.
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