Description:

200mm f/2 ED-IF AIS Nikkor


Suitable For:

Low light telephoto work, including stage work and portraiture.


Camera Formats:

FX and DX

Specs:

Focal length: 200mm
Maximum aperture: 2
Minimum aperture: 22
Angle of View: 12°10'
Focus Throw: 240°
Maximum reproduction ratio: 1:9.5
Lens Elements: 10
Lens Groups: 8
Diaphragm Blades: 9
ED Glass Elements: ?
Autofocus: n/a
Minimum Focus Distance: 2.5m
Filter Size: 122mm (older versions)
Filter Type: slide in gel type
Dimensions: 132mmØ by 225.5mm
Weight: 2550g
Accessories: HE-4 hood


Bjørn's Rørslett's Overview:

A superlative super-fast design, this is one of Nikon's least known lenses. It is big, heavy and very bulky given its medium focal length. Many will mistake it for a 300/2.8 in particular when the impressive lens hood is attached. If you are willing to part with the substantial amount of money needed to purchase it, you will get an outstanding performer. Peak results are attained nearly wide open, at aperture settings close to f/2.8. By the way, I tend to use mine set at f/2 all the time. Wide open, images are very sharp but contrast is moderate. Contrast does increase up to f/5.6, but a concomitant loss of image sharpness negates the benefit of stopping the lens down. Beyond f/5.6 there is a rapid decline of image detail and the results at f/22 are definitively poor. That doesn't matter much because you have to be stupid to buy and use such a super-speed lens at small apertures anyway, when any ordinary lens would do the job much better. The 200 f/2 is designed for the ultimate performance under low light situations and here it reigns supreme. Indoors I often use it mounted on a monopod and have been able to get terrific shots at f/2@1/4-1/8 sec. with 100 ISO film. It flares easily so keeping the hood on at all times is mandatory. Even with the big hood clamped onto it, ugly ghosts can occur so pay some attention to the position of the light sources when you shoot with this lens. It works very well when the TC14C converter is added to it, but please refrain from using other converters, as they will significantly degrade the optical quality. The current TC-14E might also work, but this combination is not tested in detail.
On D2X, the presence of CA is quite visible and detracts from overall quality. Not all subjects will show this issue, but at least you are warned.

*IR: no problems as such detected. However, since the lens doesn't accept ordinary filters, you will have to use an IR gel filter in the rear drawer which is very impractical.


Bjørn's Rating:

5 (F4, F5)
4 (DX: D2X)
IR: 4* (DX: Fuji S3 UVIR, see text)


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