Author Topic: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!  (Read 3358 times)

MEPER

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #15 on: February 14, 2021, 17:43:46 »
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".....

Tom Hook

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #16 on: February 14, 2021, 20:46:14 »
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

golunvolo

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #17 on: February 14, 2021, 20:56:28 »
I'll say 1/60 is danger zone. Handheld?

MEPER

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #18 on: February 14, 2021, 21:19:29 »
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.

John Geerts

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #19 on: February 14, 2021, 21:33:09 »
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

Tom Hook

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #20 on: February 14, 2021, 21:37:37 »
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.

Tom Hook

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2021, 21:45:03 »
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)

richardHaw

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #22 on: February 16, 2021, 02:34:04 »
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

Akira

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #23 on: February 16, 2021, 03:16:46 »
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.
"The eye is blind if the mind is absent." - Confucius

"Limitation is inspiration." - Akira

Øivind Tøien

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #24 on: February 16, 2021, 05:41:53 »
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

f/8


Distant targets (resting reindeer) at the large animal research station,
#2

f/9


More frost:
#3

f/8


A passing dog that the owner made to pose for me for a few seconds.
#4

f/5.6


The lens is capable of capturing nice saturated colors. Vertical stich of several horizontal frames.
#5

f/8


Fringing was pretty pronouced in this one, but was correctable in CNX-D.
#6

f/5.6
Øivind Tøien

rosko

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #25 on: February 16, 2021, 10:47:37 »
Superb  and colourful series !

Francis Devrainne

Øivind Tøien

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #26 on: February 16, 2021, 11:07:31 »
Thanks Francis. It is fun to sometimes get a push to use a less used lens.
Øivind Tøien

richardHaw

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #27 on: February 16, 2021, 14:09:56 »
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

Erik Lund

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #28 on: February 16, 2021, 15:20:32 »
This lens does very well with extension rings for instance PN11, unit focusing,,,
Erik Lund

ianwatson

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Re: Nikkor 200mm f/4 Ai-S!!!
« Reply #29 on: February 17, 2021, 16:30:24 »
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?