tsesung@cmu.edu wrote in message <6fp5o7$6lb$1@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...

>An inquiry for an acquaintance, a pro., who does not have ready newsgroup
>access:
>
>What are the finest zooms on the market today, including Leica, in the
>following ranges:
> 80-200mm
> 35-80mm

Um, "Leitz" lenses in these ranges may actually be Minolta, Tokina or
Sigma in origin...;-)

>This person has been disappointed with the wide open performance of the
>Nikkor 80-200mm/f2.8. By disappointed, he was not happy with the level of
>sharpness of the lens at apertures wider than f4 (these are his opinions, not
>necessarily mine).

I suggest that he try another sample - this Nikkor is generally quite good,
even at f2.8 (I suggest also using manual focus rather than AF, and using a
Nikon body with a sharper viewing screen than the N90 has, if that is what
he is using...).

>FYI, he is a classical landscape photographer, usu. shooting in
>'adventure' travel places. Given that the 80-200 doesn't suit him
>wide open, I think he is willing to entertain the possibility of
>carrying a lighter (i.e., slower) lens.

The 80-200 f2.8 is certainly first-rate by f4, unless his sample is
defective...

>I know that this tends to be a subjective topic (sigh!), but I believe he
>wants to get an idea of what most people these days regard as the best
>glass there is on the market so that he knows how to proceed in choosing
>what works for him the best.

In zooms, it is mighty hard to beat the Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 - it is
the best zoom I have seen, and VERY close to the outstanding 180mm
f2.8 AF Nikkor in performance over most of its focus range (the zoom
falters some near minimum focus distance when near the longest FL's).
--
David Ruether
http://www.fcinet.com/ruether
ruether@fcinet.com