The Nikkor 80-200mm f/4.5 AI is an old-school telephoto zoom that still makes sense when you want reach on film without the weight and cost of faster glass. It is dirt cheap, even today! I bought mine more than 10 years ago for around $40 Canadian.

Just like the 105mm, I could also use this lens on my Canon 5D Mark II with an adapter, which gave me a welcome telephoto option for digital photography while staying on the budget of a college student.

Curiously enough, this lens can be quite sharp for a legacy zoom. It is not fast, stabilized, or modern, but it gives you a useful 80-200mm range with classic Nikon manual-focus handling. The one-touch push-pull system is very much of its era, but once you get used to it, it is part of the charm.

The Good:

• Useful 80-200mm range for far subjects and compressed landscapes.

• Constant f/4.5 aperture keeps exposure predictable.

• Surprisingly sharp for an affordable legacy zoom.

• Classic Nikon build and manual-focus feel with a push-pull zoom system.

• 52mm filters are convenient compared with many telephotos.

• Very inexpensive compared with faster Nikon telephoto glass.

The Bad:

• Hard to focus with some focusing screens on Nikon F3 bodies.

• f/4.5 is slow for low light.

• Manual focus at 200mm takes patience.

• No autofocus or stabilization.

• Larger than a single telephoto prime.

• Get it if you want affordable Nikon telephoto reach for film.

• Get it if you enjoy slower manual telephoto work.

• Get it if you want a cheap way to add compression and reach to a Nikon kit.

• Pass if you need speed, autofocus, or stabilization.

• Pass if a 105mm or 135mm prime better fits your style.

• Pass if you know you will not enjoy the push-pull zoom design.