Nikon Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-s

TelephotoMount: Nikon F180mmf/2.8 – f/22
Introduced: 1981

Nikkor 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S is Nikon's fast telephoto prime with ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass — the manual-focus AI-S version of the lens that became the legendary AF-D and AF-S 180/2.8 Nikkors. The ED glass element corrects chromatic aberration at the edges of the frame, producing notably cleaner color rendering than non-ED telephotos. The 180mm focal length serves sports, wildlife, and stage photography where the photographer needs reach plus speed.

Key features

  • 180mm focal length on 35mm full-frame
  • f/2.8 maximum aperture — fast for the focal length
  • ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass — chromatic aberration correction
  • 72mm filter thread
  • AI-S aperture coupling
  • 5-element design including 1 ED element
  • Built-in retractable hood

Use case + rendering

  • Sports, wildlife, stage photography requiring reach + speed
  • ED glass produces clean color across the frame; no purple fringing on high-contrast edges
  • Sharp wide-open; remarkable sharpness from f/4 onwards

Compatible bodies

  • All Nikon F-mount manual-focus bodies: F through FM3a and F6

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