Nikkor 200mm F/4 Ai Ai-S

[richardHaw]

I am not certain that any compact zoom lens can outperform the 180/2.8, neither can they be shot at f/2.8.

Actually refering to the 200mm f4,sorry

[jhinkey]

I just recently sold my 200/4 AIS that did me well on my D700, but really showed its age at +36MP on my D800 or A7RII.  In my opinion just about any other ~200mm prime did better regarding sharpness and CA.   My 70-200/4G VR is much better at 200mm in all categories except size, weight, and cost.

I've also compared it to the 180/4 APO Voigt, 180/3.4 Telyt, and 180/2.8D.  The 180D was a little better, but not that much in the sharpness department for the increase in size/weight/cost.  The 180/4 Voigt was about the same for sharpness, but had better contrast and CA then the old Nikkor.  The 180/3.4 Telyt is king at far distances in all optical aspects, but is a bit heavy and sharpness falls off to 200/4AIS levels at nearer distances.

Copy-to-copy variation is surely at play here, but those are my findings.

[John Geerts]

I like the 200mm/3.5 a lot. You tested that as well?

[jhinkey]

I like the 200mm/3.5 a lot. You tested that as well?

I owned one briefly a couple of years ago and tested it on my D800 and it did not live up to the reviews of others - just not sharp nor was the contrast all that high.
For the extra weight and bulk over the 200/4 it just wasn't worth it for me.

It could be that I got a lemon!

[null]

Nikkor 200/4 Ai version- compact, 5-element version.

DSC_4901 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Nikkor 200/4 ai, Wide-open by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

DSC_6421 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Next shot was through an opening in the fence at a Zoo. Hence the artifacts.

DSC_6392 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

DSC_6456 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

This lens was near mint, under $100 with shipping from Japan. It's certainly a good match for the Nikon Df. I also have the AF Micro-Nikkor 200/4. It cost more.

[richardHaw]

took mine out this afternoon to see how it performs on the D7200's demanding sensor.
the performance is not so different from the Nikkor-Q. as you can see, CA is this lens' Achille's heel.

[John Geerts]

Performs good in the dark as well. Two examples  (with the AIS)

[null]

100% crop,

DSC_6462-Edit by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

DSC_6462 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Exported with LR6, no lens profiles or manual correction for CA.

[richardHaw]

ha! found this thread again!

i was wondering where this went.

https://richardhaw.com/2016/07/24/nikkor-200mm-f4-kai/

anyway, just added a teardown of this lens in case you are interested.

[richardHaw]

Performs good in the dark as well. Two examples  (with the AIS)

Hello John. What camera was used to capture the picture of the piper? 

[John Geerts]

That was shot with the Df, Richard.

[richardHaw]

Thanks,John. 

[Bent Hjarbo]

Inspired of Airy's Elmar 180/4 thread, I found my 200mm f4 Ai, at it is nearly the same size, slightly longer but thinner, so "pocketable" and together with my Df at least compact.
I did some test shot tried to make some like Airy's.
The chromatic aberration can be removed in LR, but is not done on these images.
I will for sure use it more

[Akira]

Bent, thank you for the reminder.

I've been using Ai 200/4.0 on different cameras like Panasonic GH5, Nikon D750 and now Fujifilm E-X3 and it has performed marvelously with any of these formats.

The image was posted right after it was shot on X-E3.  Hope it is OK to re-post here.

[golunvolo]

Dramatic graphics and colors, Akira.