NikonGear'23
Gear Talk => What the Nerds Do => Topic started by: richardHaw on February 13, 2021, 13:20:25
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https://richardhaw.com/2021/02/13/repair-nikkor-200mm-f-4-ai-s/
the 3rd one ive repaired :o :o :o
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https://richardhaw.com/2021/02/13/repair-nikkor-200mm-f-4-ai-s/
the 3rd one ive repaired :o :o :o
Thank you Richard. I read all of these reviews and repair articles.
Dave
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The AI and AIS Nikkor 200/4 is a 5-lens design?
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/200mmf4.pdf
I will look for one. Seems to be a good performer.......
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corrected :o :o :o
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Some consider the Nikkor-Q version to be a "bokeh-master"?
The newer AIS version is not quite up to that level?
I was told years ago that I should avoid the Nikkor-Q as it as not able to make a sharp image so I avoided it.
Think the reputation was because many amateurs used it and was not able to "nail" the focus correct in the film days and maybe not use a fast enough shutter speed.
Since then I have got one and tested it on a digital body. Even at F4 it can deliver a sharp image and bokeh looked very nice. Until now I have not really used it other for some indoor test images.
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This is the ai version at its minimum focus distance or very close to it.
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Apparently, NG members are joining forces to raise the price of A/Ais 200/4.0 in the secondhand market. :o :o :o
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how much is that on average now :o :o :o
my review raised the price of a couple of lenses previously...specially the 35/1.8 W-Nikkor ::) which never went back
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If above picture was shot with Nikkor-Q then bokeh would have been "softer"?
Is price for a AI/AIS about 200 Euros or so?
Think it depends if it is a professional shop that sells on ebay or it is a private person.
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Maybe 120 - 200 Euros......and seems to be cheapest in Japan.
From Japan taxes are usually added to Europe.......
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I took mine out for a spin yesterday, very pleased.
Took this picture, just to see how the small branches turn out.
Z6 with 200mm f4 Ai
Sorry for the price going up;)
Mine vas bought many years ago, when I upgraded from a 200mm f4 Q, which is a lot bigger.
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I was told years ago that I should avoid the Nikkor-Q as it as not able to make a sharp image so I avoided it.
I have this version ( in mint condition), the third one on Richard's picture. It's very sharp. I had the AIS version also and I kept the sharpest... 8)
Few pics with D700 (10 years ago) :
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I shot this one today at closest focus distance (2m) :
I tried first with the DF : impossible mission ! The green dot never popped out...Only the two arrow which is not accurate focusing. So got the Z6 + FTZ and I could state again how improved is the use of the view finder with picking !
picture settings : just neutral
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If above picture was shot with Nikkor-Q then bokeh would have been "softer"?
Is price for a AI/AIS about 200 Euros or so?
Think it depends if it is a professional shop that sells on ebay or it is a private person.
I got mine 200 f4 ai in excellent conditions for 99 usd, free shipping. September 2020. That´s it :)
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https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-200mm-f-4-ai-manual-focus-lens-52.html
$124 "Excellent Plus" at KEH this morning with free shipping (I don't know if that includes countries other than the US). I bought mine a few years ago for a bit less I think.
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Even with +33% in taxes $124 could be a good deal.......
The Nikkor-Q image of the "black bird" at the fence shows how nice and soft the bokeh is?
Bokeh will not be quite as nice with AI/AIS version......I think.....but still "nice enough".....
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Gave the lens a try. It's not as sharp as it could be maybe (am thinking I missed focus), but the color and oof areas are pleasing. No post production except minor sharpening.
I checked my records and KEH graded it "bargain". It cost me $119 including tax and free shipping. Purchased 07/2017
Z6. 200mm ai f/4, 1/60, 800 iso
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I'll say 1/60 is danger zone. Handheld?
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Lens shows a bit of green LOCA along the leg (rigth side) of the dog?
I got a Nikkor 200/3.5 which I look forward to try when I get an adapter without contacts.....
After I try it I will conclude if I need an AI/AIS 200/4.
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Lens shows a bit of green LOCA along the leg (rigth side) of the dog?
I got a Nikkor 200/3.5 which I look forward to try when I get an adapter without contacts.....
After I try it I will conclude if I need an AI/AIS 200/4.
The 200/3.5 ED is better than the 200/4, but, heavier and more difficult to focus. Lens design 200/3.5 was based on the 180/2.8 ED
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The 200/3.5 ED is better than the 200/4, but, heavier and more difficult to focus. Lens design 200/3.5 was based on the 180/2.8 ED
I'll say 1/60 is danger zone. Handheld?
Yes it is the danger zone but I had pushed the iso to 800 already, a number I try generally not go beyond (yeah I know the Z6 is renowned for its tolerance in this area but old habits are hard to break...). And it was handheld (another misguided preference of mine) adding further to the problem. Yikes!
If the sun ever comes out, I’ll try the lens in more forgiving light. Thanks for commenting.
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Lens shows a bit of green LOCA along the leg (rigth side) of the dog?
I got a Nikkor 200/3.5 which I look forward to try when I get an adapter without contacts.....
After I try it I will conclude if I need an AI/AIS 200/4.
I don’t see the green LOCA, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. I am looking at it on my iPhone so when I get in front of my computer, I’ll take a closer look. Is that fixable? Thanks for commenting.
Correction: I see it now (even on my iPhone :P)
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the older nikkor-Q is quite nice, too. i think its a very good lens for the price :o :o :o
look at the photos that I took in my reviews of those, you wouldn't think that they were shot with an old lens
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I bought my Ai 200/4.0 for 5000 JPY. The price was significantly reduced only because it has a pretty big dent in the integrated hood which makes retracting/extending the hood stiff. Otherwise, the lens is in a very good condition. I've used the lens on 20MP m4/3, 16MP APS-C and 24MP full frame cameras, and it has never disappointed.
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I bought the
AI version K-version new in the late 70ties and later got a factory AI modification fitted, but got the AIS version a few years ago to chip it, allowing aperture control from the body (which was essential with my D40x and D5100). I must admit it is under-utilized these days, as I tend to carry the 300PF instead, but I took it out on my ski trip yesterday with the D500 to capture some examples. Focusing was a bit challenging due to stiffness, and a viewfinder that kept fogging up; it is certainly not a lens to capture action. It resolves fairly well, but does have pretty pronounced longitudinal fringing, some of which can be corrected (not so obvious in these frames):
Frosted Cottonwood Tree trunk.
#1
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130249497.jpg)
f/8
Distant targets (resting reindeer) at the large animal research station,
#2
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130327109.jpg)
f/9
More frost:
#3
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130249502.jpg)
f/8
A passing dog that the owner made to pose for me for a few seconds.
#4
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130249490.jpg)
f/5.6
The lens is capable of capturing nice saturated colors. Vertical stich of several horizontal frames.
#5
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130274291.jpg)
f/8
Fringing was pretty pronouced in this one, but was correctable in CNX-D.
#6
(https://otoien.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p4130282791.jpg)
f/5.6
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Superb and colourful series !
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Thanks Francis. It is fun to sometimes get a push to use a less used lens.
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https://richardhaw.com/2021/02/13/repair-nikkor-200mm-f-4-ai-s/
I updated the post with more new photos of women and a monkey :o :o :o
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This lens does very well with extension rings for instance PN11, unit focusing,,,
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I tried first with the DF : impossible mission ! The green dot never popped out...Only the two arrow which is not accurate focusing. So got the Z6 + FTZ and I could state again how improved is the use of the view finder with picking !
I just tried the AI version on my D4. The electronic rangefinder was surprisingly truculent. The focusing screen is the ground glass Canon S-screen; even then it was tricky to get the focus right. So I have no photographs to add to the thread :(
Is it me or is it strange that a 24mm f/2.8 and a 55mm f/3.5 are easier to focus than this 200mm?
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I just tried the AI version on my D4. The electronic rangefinder was surprisingly truculent. The focusing screen is the ground glass Canon S-screen; even then it was tricky to get the focus right. So I have no photographs to add to the thread :(
Is it me or is it strange that a 24mm f/2.8 and a 55mm f/3.5 are easier to focus than this 200mm?
You need to have the right screen for that :o :o :o