Photo: Christian-sainthil (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Quick answer
A manual-focus 180mm f/2.8 with ED glass, a built-in hood and a 72mm filter thread, introduced in 1981. It weighs about 880g and focuses to 1.8m.
Pros
- ED glass
- f/2.8 aperture
- Built-in hood
- Solid metal build
Cons
- Manual focus only
- Heavy at 880g
- Minimum focus of 1.8m
Verdict
A classic ED telephoto in manual focus.
About this lens
This 180mm f/2.8 telephoto prime lens from Nikon fits Nikon F mount cameras, with extra-low dispersion glass. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.
Nikon AI-S Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED specifications
- Brand
- Nikon
- Mount
- Nikon F
- Focal length
- 180mm
- Maximum aperture
- f/2.8
- Lens type
- Prime
- Format coverage
- full-frame
- Optical construction
- 5 elements in 5 groups
- Autofocus motor
- none
- Minimum focus distance
- 1.8 m
- Filter thread
- 72 mm
- Weight
- 880 g
- Length
- 138 mm
- Diameter
- 78.5 mm
Specification source: en.wikipedia.org
What can you shoot with the Nikon AI-S Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED?
- Portraits
- Sports on film
- Adapted use on Z
Its bright maximum aperture handles indoor and evening light reasonably well.
Full-frame equivalent and field of view
Calculated from the focal length and crop factor. Not measured.
| Sensor | Crop | Equivalent | Horizontal FOV | Diagonal FOV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full frame | 1.0x | 180mm | 11.4° | 13.7° |
| APS-C | 1.5x | 270mm | 7.6° | 9.2° |
Frequently asked questions
Does the Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S have a built-in hood?
Yes, it has a built-in slide-out hood, which reduces the need for a separate one.
Can the 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S be used on Z cameras?
Yes, via the FTZ or FTZ II adapter. Focus is manual, and entering the lens data in the camera menu enables metering and lets in-body stabilization work.
Is the 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S sharp?
Yes, ED glass keeps chromatic aberration well controlled, and sharpness is strong from f/2.8.
Alternatives for Nikon F from other brands
All Nikon F lensesSame mount, overlapping focal range, closest maximum aperture first.
