Production
1981 – 2006
Country
Japan
Optical
5 elements in 5 groups
Updated
Feb 15, 2026
Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S
Nikon F (AI-S)
Overview
The Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S was Nikon's professional telephoto portrait lens — the one sports and wildlife photographers also grabbed for tight headshots. The ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass controlled chromatic aberration, delivering sharpness that rivaled lenses twice its size. At 180mm f/2.8, it could reach out and isolate subjects like nothing else in the lineup.
Verdict: Professional telephoto performance. The ED glass makes this lens special — it delivers images that compete with modern glass. For telephoto portraits and sports, this is the Nikon manual focus choice.
Optical Character
Bokeh
The general quality of the bokeh is very good, with no onion rings or outlining. However, stopping down changes the shape of highlights from round at f/2.8 to 9-sided figures due to the 9 straight aperture blades.
Color
Excellent chromatic aberration correction due to the use of ED glass.
Sharpness wide open
Sharpness is already quite good wide open in the center, reaches very good resolution in the midframe at f/5.6, and is best in the corners at f/11. Performance is mediocre wide open at close focus distances due to the lack of a floating elements design, but improves substantially when stopped down to f/4.
Flare resistance
Excellent flare resistance for an older design, with only a small green ghost visible under extreme conditions.
Contrast
High contrast and excellent micro-contrast.
Vignetting
Low vignetting of 1.6 EV in the corners wide open, reducing to only 0.5 EV from f/4 onwards.
Community Insights
What people love
- ED glass for superior sharpness
- 180mm compression is stunning
- f/2.8 speed for a telephoto
- Professional build quality
- Great for sports, wildlife, portraits
- Excellent color correction
What people dislike
- Heavy (760g)
- Expensive ($300-500)
- 180mm needs distance
- Tripod often needed for sharp shots
Pro Tips
- Use a monopod for stability
- Great for compressing backgrounds in portraits
- Sweet spot at f/4-5.6 for maximum sharpness
Sample Photos
Sources (5)
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-ai-s-180mm-2-8-ed/
phillip_reeve-
https://phillipreeve.net/blog/review-nikon-af-180mm-2-8d-if-ed/
unknown-
https://www.astropix.com/html/reviews/nikon_180mm.html
unknown-
https://thenoisyshutter.com/2022/12/18/legacy-lens-review-nikkor-ed-180mm-f2-8-ai-s/
Lens Heritage 2nd JSONsecondary
The Nikon 180mm f/2.8 ED AI-S was Nikon's professional telephoto portrait lens — the one sports and wildlife photographers also grabbed for tight headshots. The ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass controlled chromatic aberration, delivering sharpness that rivaled lenses twice its size. At 180mm f/2.8, it could reach out and isolate subjects like nothing else in the lineup.