which manual 80-200 ???? for fm3a

HI,
THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK.

I AM TRYING TO DECIDE ON A 80-200 FOR MY FM3A, BUT I AM CALLING ON SOME OF THE BRAINS OF THE SITE TO GIVE ME SOME ADVISE ON WHICH IS BEST??

I would like to keep it all manual focus and so far I am debating between the Nikon 80-200 {either the f4 or f4.5} and the tokina at-x 80-200 2.8. I like the faster speed of the tokina but is the nikkors image quality worth staying with the nikon? plus using 100 asa film I can see myself struggling with shutter speeds if the max aperture is only f4 or f4.5 {especially if its handheld}....

thanks for your time
Bevan. New Zealand.

Can't answer questions about those lenses specifically, but a few comments:

I would guess that the ~f4 lenses are variable aperture, which would probably work out to about f5.6 at the long end. You would probably want 1/250 for a shutter speed handheld with a 200mm lens, and at 5.6 you're pretty limited on the conditions you can do that in. A lens like this is much smaller and lighter than a constant f2.8 lens, so maybe with practice you can hold it at 1/125 which would help a lot.

The Tokina f2.8 is a constant aperture lens, and it's probably twice the length and diameter (three times the weight?) as a variable aperture lens. But 200 at f2.8 is great for really isolating your subject from the background. Since it's bigger and heavier, it's harder to shoot slower than a small lightweight lens - but you still have a two stop advantage (maybe one stop as above).

If you are considering the Tokina, look at Nikon's less expensive 80-200 f2.8 (not the AF-S VR version). It's pretty close in price (at least here in the US) and a great lens - I've had one for a few years and it's very sharp.

What do you plan to use the lens for, and do you ever use faster film? Does the weight bother you for carrying it?

I had a Tokina zoom for a Canon I previously owned. The optics were excellent.

So I'd be looking at the Tokina vs. the Nikon 2.8 that a-v mentioned - and not bother any further with the 4-5.6 model. Shooting 100 film, you're going to need the extra coverage on the low side - and a good tripod or monopod would be a good idea, too.

What do you plan to use the lens for, and do you ever use faster film? Does the weight bother you for carrying it?[/QUOTE]

thanks for the replies...the weight wouldnt bother me to much and the extra couple of stops sound nice as if I'm using a polarizer the shutter speeds will be slower again ..Also I love to use the very fast films..i.e the ilford 3200 and fuji 1600 for the nice big grain and fast shutter speeds.
I think the 80-200 nikkor late model is f4 constant ...I cant seem to find any info on the weight/size comparisons between the two..but at the moment the tokina seems like a good option..
Bevan.n.z

Think I found it: http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography...F/80200mm2.htmWeight of 810g = just under two pounds, fairly heavy but still less than a 2.8 lens. Of course, you can hand-hold in the dark at f8 with 3200 :D ! Check out other pages on this site too, loads of info here on manual focus cameras and lenses.

thanks youve been a great help!!
It looks like the tokina at the moment unless I find a cheap Nikon f4
Cheers
Bevan.n.z