Nikon 80-200 f2.8 D two ring vs 70-200 f2.8 01st gen IQ

Have the chance to pick one in good conditions, different in price will not be much the 80-200 for around the equivalent of USD 300 while the 70-200 for 400 I know that the 70-200 indeed is optically superior to the 80-200 and I know the cons and pro for each but from pure IQ is there is any noticed difference between both on FX in practical use, I used to use 80-200 on DX but never on FX, the lens will be used in general photography when need in dimmed light or indoor on FX, I still have the 70-210 f4-5.6D for moving light outside, appreciate any input concerning IQ only and thanks in advance,

First gen 70-200/2.8 AFS VR? That thing seemed to be designed with DX in mind, the FX corners aren't so good and there's more vignetting.

However even taking that into account it should still be better than the old two-ring 80-200. The centre 50% or so is definitely better than the old 80-200 at f/2.8. You get better AF and also VR in the mix.

Truly appreciate your valued input @yslee, to be quite honest what turns me off from 70-200 first generation is what you have mentioned it was made while DX was in mind were indeed it has its flaws in FX, while 80-200 was made mainly for films (FX) but its old design has its flaws as well on digital FX in spite of the fact that non of them is a bad lens and both are capable to deliver, I assume I’ll wait a bit and save for something else, till then I assume the 70-210 f4-5.6D will be ok in most situations, thanks once more

Yes. The 70-200 is much better in terms of image quality. The 80-200 AF D is slightly soft (though acceptable) at 80mm and very soft (absolutely unacceptable) at 200mm.

Of all Nikon f2.8 lenses, the screw drive AF 80-200's are the only ones I wouldn't use, even for free. Yes, I'm being serious. Don't waste your money.

Thanks for the advice leaning now to wait and save for something better,

Consider any Nikon 70-200 or a used Sigma Sport or Tamron G2 70-200 2.8. You'll love anyone of them.

I used the screwdrive 80-200/2.8s on my D300 back then, it's not that bad. It's not as nice as the newer lenses though!

Agree used it on D7200 before for quite while before selling all my gear and it was nice lens indeed, this is why my question was on FX, if I was still on or have DX wouldn’t hesitate to use it in spite that sigma 50-100 f1.8 results was much much superior with limited range, thanks everyone who share his input truly appreciate

I use my somewhat flawed copy of the Nikon AF-S VR-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G on my D850 with very satisfactory results:

If you're like me then you probably notice some softness in the chain in the lower right 100% crop. It goes away when the photo is resized to 2160 vertical pixels (the size I use to display on my 4K monitor).

Sure, it's not a landscape lens on my D850, but it isn't on my D500 either, and another copy I had years ago and used with my D300 wasn't either. You can test a lens to death, almost literally since you will grow to despise its flaws. What I like most about the NIKKOR is its AF, which is blazing fast and gets the job done where other lenses like my Sigma Art 50-100mm f/1.8 and a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 VC I tried will fail, and no amount of benchmark image quality will compensate for an out-of-focus shot:

That lower crop is 100% with some Topaz NR applied to it.

Didn’t have the chance to try the AFS 70-200 f2.8G neither on DX nor on FX while used the 80-200 f28D two ring on DX was quite good to be honest while the sigma 50-100 f1.8 was blazing

I decided to wait a pit and save for AFS 70-200 f2.8G II , it’s around the equivalent of US 750 to 800 in good condition where I live, and till that happens I’m using Nikkor 70-210 f4-5.6D which is ok and could deliver in proper lighting conditions, for the wide 20-35 f2.8 and 35-70 f2.8 is sufficient for my use specially as hobbyist

Truly appreciate your post and valued input 🙏🙏

Which 80~200 f/2.8D two-ring Nikkor are you referring to?

Nikkor AF 80-200 f2.8 D new which was still in production till recently

The AF-S Nikkor 80~200 f/2.8D, with 5 ED elements (vs 3 for the AF version) has probably the best IQ of all the 80~200s, but you'd almost need an optical bench to see much difference between any of them and the 70~200s. I have the same version as the one you mention, bought new about 8 years ago - if I could only have one lens, that would be it. Tack sharp across the board, very little focus-breathing.

Truly appreciate your valued input, this was my assumption for that lens, just wanted confirmation for use it on full frame, I know that a lot has his preferential gear type even within certain brand but to be honest it’s quite tempting and still if we look to price/performance ratio

Thanks again 🙏🙏