Nikon 200mm f/4 Ai-S : Specifications and Opinions

Reviews

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The following opinions have been automatically translated with Google Translate.

Andrea Cerati

sent on 21 Marzo 2025

Pros: Sharp, contrasty but with a good shadow aperture, compact, very cheap compared to the actual quality

Cons: Some slight chromatic aberration, blurred a bit "nervous"

Opinion: Bought to use it on a Panasonic S1 I must say that it surprised me: from f 5.6 it has an excellent sharpness from center to edge, some slight chromatic aberration that is generally eliminated with LR, it has an excellent focus ring which, together with the focus peaking of mirrorless, allows accurate and reliable focusing, even to infinity. I believe that, considering the level of noise containment to which the sensors have arrived, the fact that it is f 4 minimum is not a limit for use in landscaping and makes it preferable to a 180 f 2.8, larger and heavier and which on average is at three times the cost. I have been using the 180 AFD f2.8 on the D200 for a long time and honestly, apart from the blurry, as image quality we are on par. Highly recommend!

Gsabbio

sent on 02 Novembre 2021

Pros: really everything: sharpness, contrast, absence of aberrations, size

Cons: Minimum focusing distance a bit long: 2 meters, which penalizes its use for close-up

Opinion: I agree with the previous opinion of Decris, it is a truly remarkable lens that I use on the ML -Z7- and that already from the first shots proves to possess unexpected characteristics even on very demanding 45 mpix sensors. All reviews, in general, can be influenced by many factors, first the enthusiasm for the new toy and then the lack of experience. Personally I do not think I fall into these two categories, I took this lens because... a little quietly, I collected numerous and agreed positive opinions, but it is not that I really needed it, however, given the very cheap price of the used, I decided to try it, at most I would have resold it. As for the experience... this is the twentieth lens of this focal length that happens to me in my hands. The purpose of the purchase was: if it is really beautiful, I made a bang, otherwise it returns to where it was. Well... I made a bang! I do not dwell on technical descriptions that in the end would duplicate those that preceded me. I only say that if you want an excellent lens, which guarantees you results of the highest level in all respects, this glass is a fixed point that can and MUST enter into a kit. The only recommendation is to use it manually on ML, which allows an accurate control of the focus.

Decris

sent on 24 Febbraio 2021

Pros: Sharpness, color fidelity, contrast, bokeh, transportability

Cons: Minimum focus distance

Opinion: Already a owner of the legendary 105 Ai-s (resold later in the digital transition), I have recently returned to this beautiful Nikon series. Used on full-frame returns images that leave their mark. It is striking how a 40-year-old project can still excel even on high-performance sensors of the latest generation. Used with D750 , my specimen defines the subjects by isolating them from the general context while leaving it very identifiable. The very long rotation of the maf ring (considered by some to be excessive) helps to analyze the minimum detail of the framed subject, almost a scan centimeter by centimeter... Tested mainly at medium distances (3-12 meters) at the diaphragms 4-5.6 gave me an enviable detachment of the floors with a beautiful bokeh not "ethereus or bowed" but structured with its general homogeneity that contributes to the perfect description of the resumed environment. On a chromatic level I find it neutral but with vivid colors and a good contrast that differentiates it a little from the yield of the AF-D series that makes the colors almost pastel. The size of the lens is excellent and will probably invite us to leave it permanently in the bag given the low weight.

Augustocampo

sent on 10 Marzo 2017

Pros: Lightweight, inexpensive, great manual lente.Fuoco.

Cons: use in my D3100 D5300 // only in manual mode.

Opinion: Compact than the optical zoom and sharp .rnLeggera "vignetting" diaphragm 4. rnOttimo for nature photos and particolari.Assieme to Samyang 85mm 1.4, Sigma 50mm EX DG macro 2.8 and Walimex 500mm, made me put in "the attic" the zoom af-s 55-300.A ft diaphragm 32 to par with the Sigma 50mm loses in sharpness.

Fabiobo

sent on 05 Maggio 2016

Pros: Small, lightweight, high-contrast, sharpness already af / 4, excellent color rendering, built-in lens hood, not the eye

Cons: lens hood that it will go no screws, slight vignetting at f4, the focus ring hike in focus from 4m to 2m long.

Opinion: Great goal, his side are, of course, the weight (500g), portability (very small to be a 200mm), the price of used, you can afford to shoot and "steal" shots with absolute ease, not in the eye around cheeky outputs, construction is precise and flawless, my although widely used has absolutely minimal games on the bezel of MAF. Its 9 blades give a good light on the blurry points. Obviously it's manual focus, so you have to get used to. RNLA color rendering is very real, true, does not steal it clears the frames, warm colors, but vivid, good three-dimensionality to be a 200mm. RNLA minimum MAF distance is 2m, some lead rope, but if not it would be a macro, what bothers is the fact that to get to 2 meters from infinity, you must turn the ring maf for more than 3/4 of the barrel . Incredibilemte long excursion. Thinking that the second half of the excursion passes from the heat of 4 to 2 meters, interminabile.rnMa tuttosommato is a flaw recently. The yield of the lens makes you forget everything, and that's okay. rn

Ayps

sent on 01 Novembre 2015

Pros: Dimensions and weight. impeccable construction. neutral and realistic photo rendering. uniform and consistent behavior at all focal lengths.

Cons: Loss of accuracy in low light conditions. slight vignetting at f4.

Opinion: Although autofocus lenses are more ready to use, have colder and mechanical behavior compared to manual focus, which are more organic, passionate, and this shines through scattate.rnSto photographs by gradually shifting from first to second, and I must say that the series to / ais is really prestigiosa.rnQuesto 200mm lens is a beautiful, crisp and full-bodied at all focal lengths, with the focus ring to smooth and precise focus, even though it clearly is not always easy to use, due to the fact that it is MF as already mentioned, and is not stabilizzato.rnForse, the small size (especially the diameter) penalize the due stability more slender handle. I write this because compared to 180 f2.8, for example, is more difficult to maintain firm (maybe it's just my imagination ...). RNE 'incisive but gentle, very clear, pastelloso, as if dipingesse.rnIl 180 f2. 8 and this 200, on nikon d700 are very similar behavior, evenThough clearly the 180 is brighter and better fuzzy (and the 200 is more stable and steady as behavior at all focal lengths), but this, perhaps, is more suitable for outputs scalmanate.rnA f4, it transmits more light than 135 f3. 5 closed at f4.

user61502

sent on 05 Agosto 2015

Pros: Light, cheap, clear. Readily available on the market of 'used.

Cons: Cartoon slightly to f4.

Opinion: I own this lens for several years (Ai version) and making a price / performance ratio can assure you that the optical and 'amazing. From the best of af 5,6- 8 returning true color and contrast images. I use it with extension tubes and behaves with dignity. It is easily found in the market of 'used in small sums. We recommend the purchase for those who want a good lens handyman.