Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!

[richardHaw]

https://richardhaw.com/2021/02/13/repair-nikkor-200mm-f-4-ai-s/

the 3rd one ive repaired

[David H. Hartman]

https://richardhaw.com/2021/02/13/repair-nikkor-200mm-f-4-ai-s/

the 3rd one ive repaired

Thank you Richard. I read all of these reviews and repair articles.

Dave

[MEPER]

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.......

[richardHaw]

corrected

[MEPER]

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.

[golunvolo]

This is the ai version at its minimum focus distance or very close to it.

[Akira]

Apparently, NG members are joining forces to raise the price of A/Ais 200/4.0 in the secondhand market.   

[richardHaw]

how much is that on average now

my review raised the price of a couple of lenses previously...specially the 35/1.8 W-Nikkor which never went back

[MEPER]

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.

[MEPER]

Maybe 120 - 200 Euros......and seems to be cheapest in Japan.
From Japan taxes are usually added to Europe.......

[Bent Hjarbo]

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.

[rosko]

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...

Few pics with D700 (10 years ago) :

[rosko]

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

[golunvolo]

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 

[Tom Hook]

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.