Hi--

>>What are the optical and mechanical differences between the "D" and
>>"non-D" 80-200mm f2.8 AF Nikkors? Thanks.
>>David Ruether

>1) Mechanical - essentially two things. The focus range limiter (a
>concentric ring with 3 snap-in stops at the front barrel) has been replaced
>by a two step switch (also at the front barrel).
>
>The front barrel is much bigger and includes the 77mm filter thread
>(non-rotating). Earlier the thread rotated with the front lens.
>
>2) Optical. Tough question since I don't have the lens design of the non-D
>lens. According to Nikon it's a new design which also helped to speed up >the AF (indeed true).
>
>Regards,
>Walter Pietsch walter@zaiko.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Thanks for the information. I will find someone who has the "D" lens booklet, and compare optical layouts, if they still include them. I had heard that the "D" had only one ED element, the non-D, several. I get a
lot of questions about quality differences in the two lenses (and what converters work well) - so I am still in the dark about the "D", never having used one (I will keep my known-to-be-excellent non-D).
Thanks, again.
David Ruether