Quick question on 200 f4

[tommiejeep]

Any preference between Ais and Ai models?  I've been offered 5 so far , 3 Ai and 2 Ais.  Based on my last trip I need a small , light 200mm.  The 180 2.8D and 70-200 f4 vr were just too heavy for my weight allowance carry on 
ps I did look a Bjorn's old site and a few other places.
Cheers,
Tom

[John Geerts]

There is a discussion about the 200mm  f/4  here: http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,1215.msg12142.html#msg12142

[tommiejeep]

Thanks John,  I remember reading the thread.  I find Roland's comments about the blades interesting.  I have so many lenses this is strictly for size and weight not absolutely best IQ.  The 180 Lanthar is just too hard to find (expensive now)  and the Leica R 180 APO 3.4 is 50% heavier and more expensive.  In younger days the 70-200 2.8 vr was always with me but between age and airline greed no longer an option.  Primarily for Df and or Sony a7II.
All the best
Tom

[John Geerts]

You'r welcome Tom    I have the AIS and like it, it's very compact.

[Hugh_3170]

I agree - likewise I have the AiS.  I have also fitted a metering chip to it, so it is a very convenient lens. 

Weight wise (510 to 540g) and focus throw wise (all 205 degrees),  there is not too much difference between the AiS, Ai, or the K (except this latter one has to be Ai converted), with the AiS being marginally lighter and marginally more compact.  The earlier Nikkor 200mm f/4.0 lenses are much heavier and larger than these three versions and optically are 4E/4G rather than 5E/5G configurations.

You'r welcome Tom    I have the AIS and like it, it's very compact.

[tommiejeep]

Thanks guys, the local guy never sent me the serial number or images so I sourced one from the UK from a known eBayer
Cheers,

[Moritat]

I have both the AI & AIS versions and the IQ appears to be the same. Occasionally I read some positive comments about this lens (like in this thread), but in general it doesn't appear to be very popular. I think it's really great and quite underrated. I really like it's light weight and sharpness at f4.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The newer versions of the 200/4 obviously have lost much of their appeal in the era of sophisticated zoom lenses. Yet they are capable lenses and excellent for special applications (relay for micro lens is one such field). They are also small and neat for field work.