Sharp wide open, crazy sharp at 5.6. balances well on a Nikon dslr. I find it gets a little long on a fuji. I imagine it's better on a Sony with the deeper grip.
I have a copy of this lens with a stuck aperture. I've tried several times over the last year but for some reason I can't take it apart. It's really frustrating because I've disassembled and cleaned like 100 lenses now, but this is the only one that I have trouble opening up. Dunno why. Still excellent to use wide open though.
Sorry to hear that. Here is an article that has step by step instructions on how to repair this lens. The info is towards the end of the page: www.google.com/amp/s/richardhaw.com/2016/07/24/nikkor-200mm-f4-kai/amp/ I hope this helps. Take care.
I had the same problem with my example about 3 years ago (after 30 years of use!). I sent it off to Nikon Support UK for a complete strip and clean and it is now perfect. They charged £63 plus v.a.t., so not so bad.
Great channel that I have been watching constantly and repeatedly. The best lens review channel in all aspects. Thanks for your efforts and sharing. May I know what is the difference between AI and Non-AI and which version is better? Also, I have watched your other 200mm telephoto lens reviews too. If you are allowed to choose one of these 200 mm, which one you will keep? Thanks!
Hello and thank you for the kind message. Glad to hear that you enjoy watching the videos. AI means Automatic Indexing and it’s only applicable if you are using this lens on a Nikon SLR or DSLR cameras. If you are adapting this lens to a mirrorless system you don’t need to worry if a lens is AI or non-AI. In this case the AI lens is better only because the coatings were improved by the time Nikon released the AI version. And regarding your last question about which 200mm lens I’ll keep if I can only keep one - I’ll definitely choose the AIS ED Nikkor 180mm f2.8. I know it’s not exactly 200mm but it’s close enough. Without a doubt my favorite lens in that focal length.
@@VintageOptiks Thank you very much for your detailed and insightful information; more than I expected! I shall study your video about this 180mm f2.8 lens you mentioned next... :)
Have you compared the 200/4 AI prime and the 80-200/4 AI zoom at 200mm..? I'm wondering which one is sharpest across the frame and into the corners wide open with least chromatic abberations?
No, I have not. And I can't compare them because I no longer have both lenses. I gave away the 80-200 and sold the 200mm f4. The one lens that I kept in the 200mm range that is made by Nikon is the Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED AIs. It is my absolute favorite! Stunning optics and barely any chromatic aberrations. I have a review of it on my channel.
@@VintageOptiks Interesting..! I have the AF-D version of the 180mm f2.8 ED lens. It's certainly a great performer. I do like the ruggedness of the earlier AI/AI-S Nikkors though.
Does this lens have better Imagequality than the Nikkor 80mm-200mm f/4 Zoom variant or can I just buy the zoom one for more fexibility and get the same amazing Quality that the prime lens has?
They are both excellent lenses with the same maximum aperture. If you want the flexibility, definitely get the 80-200mm f4 zoom! It's a great lens and it's still quite cheap. Its main downside is that it's larger and a bit heavier than the prime, but the flexibility is a major plus.
I've got one of that. But I never use it. Because it is not easy to focus. I'm thinking to buy a split focusing screen for my D7100. What do you think?
Thanks;-)) I used the Nikkor-Q, the Nikkor Q.C, and finally this Nikkor 4/200 AI. Whatever you got, you'll take brilliant images, if you're experienced in doing this. And think of half-format digitals: on my Nikon D300 I get pics which look like made by a 300mm telephoto lens; I love that especially in the zoo. @philosimot
Not sure if you saw my video on helicoid adapters, but If you happen to be using this lens with a Sony mirrorless camera you can get a macro focusing helicoid adapter and greatly improve the MFD of your Nikkor lenses. Check it out: @t
@@VintageOptiks Question is color VO. See how colors can shift between Canon FD SSC & nFD gen... Not so familiar with Nikon. But they played a lot with coating receipts through time. Must say this one looks pretty muted, just like it loves alien green. U can play with that for sure.
I want to watch your reviews FOREVER
Haha! Your comment totally made my day :)
Loved your style of making content
Thank you so much!
U ain't alone!
well done - lots of good info, clearly stated, and less than 5 minutes - well done
Thank you!
Nice review, and well-deserved praise for this lens. Cheers!
Thank you!! Great lens indeed.
I have this lense and I absolute love it! Nice video
Thank you!! It's an awesome lens for sure! An amazing deal for the quality you get.
Sharp wide open, crazy sharp at 5.6. balances well on a Nikon dslr. I find it gets a little long on a fuji. I imagine it's better on a Sony with the deeper grip.
Yeah it's crazy how sharp this awesome vintage Nikkor can be!! I love it!
I have the AI-S version of this lens. I love the fact that is is relatively small and lightweight considering that it is a 200mm lens.
Yeah I love the small size and lightweight as well. Very compact for 200mm and also excellent optics!!
Would this catch the stars too? Thank you for what you do!
I have the pre AI version that I converted to work with my D700, same with my 135mm 2.8. I suggest looking into the nikkor 135 2.8
Will definitely check it out. Thank you for the suggestion.
@@VintageOptiks you're welcome. Excellent content
I have a copy of this lens with a stuck aperture. I've tried several times over the last year but for some reason I can't take it apart. It's really frustrating because I've disassembled and cleaned like 100 lenses now, but this is the only one that I have trouble opening up. Dunno why. Still excellent to use wide open though.
Sorry to hear that. Here is an article that has step by step instructions on how to repair this lens. The info is towards the end of the page: www.google.com/amp/s/richardhaw.com/2016/07/24/nikkor-200mm-f4-kai/amp/
I hope this helps. Take care.
I had the same problem with my example about 3 years ago (after 30 years of use!). I sent it off to Nikon Support UK for a complete strip and clean and it is now perfect. They charged £63 plus v.a.t., so not so bad.
As someone who grew up in the 70's I like the feel of this video!
Thank you so much!
Thanks for making this! I’m really digging the style of your videos. You got yourself a new subscriber here!
ARG_IM_PIRATE Thank you so much!!
The Nikon Sony E helicoid adapters allow one to get even closer with these lenses, and still focus to infinity, worth a look!
Thank you for letting me know. I'll definitely check it out.
Great channel that I have been watching constantly and repeatedly. The best lens review channel in all aspects. Thanks for your efforts and sharing. May I know what is the difference between AI and Non-AI and which version is better? Also, I have watched your other 200mm telephoto lens reviews too. If you are allowed to choose one of these 200 mm, which one you will keep? Thanks!
Hello and thank you for the kind message. Glad to hear that you enjoy watching the videos.
AI means Automatic Indexing and it’s only applicable if you are using this lens on a Nikon SLR or DSLR cameras. If you are adapting this lens to a mirrorless system you don’t need to worry if a lens is AI or non-AI. In this case the AI lens is better only because the coatings were improved by the time Nikon released the AI version.
And regarding your last question about which 200mm lens I’ll keep if I can only keep one - I’ll definitely choose the AIS ED Nikkor 180mm f2.8. I know it’s not exactly 200mm but it’s close enough. Without a doubt my favorite lens in that focal length.
@@VintageOptiks Thank you very much for your detailed and insightful information; more than I expected! I shall study your video about this 180mm f2.8 lens you mentioned next... :)
Excellent review, on the needle true.
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much!
Have you compared the 200/4 AI prime and the 80-200/4 AI zoom at 200mm..? I'm wondering which one is sharpest across the frame and into the corners wide open with least chromatic abberations?
No, I have not. And I can't compare them because I no longer have both lenses. I gave away the 80-200 and sold the 200mm f4. The one lens that I kept in the 200mm range that is made by Nikon is the Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED AIs. It is my absolute favorite! Stunning optics and barely any chromatic aberrations. I have a review of it on my channel.
@@VintageOptiks Interesting..! I have the AF-D version of the 180mm f2.8 ED lens. It's certainly a great performer. I do like the ruggedness of the earlier AI/AI-S Nikkors though.
@@bradl2636 Yeah the build quality of the vintage Ai and AIS lenses is amazing! I love the 180mm f2.8 ED AIS. A superb lens!
Does this lens have better Imagequality than the Nikkor 80mm-200mm f/4 Zoom variant or can I just buy the zoom one for more fexibility and get the same amazing Quality that the prime lens has?
They are both excellent lenses with the same maximum aperture. If you want the flexibility, definitely get the 80-200mm f4 zoom! It's a great lens and it's still quite cheap. Its main downside is that it's larger and a bit heavier than the prime, but the flexibility is a major plus.
I've got one of that. But I never use it. Because it is not easy to focus. I'm thinking to buy a split focusing screen for my D7100. What do you think?
Thanks for the review! I subbed!
You are welcome. Thanks for subscribing!
i cant seam ti find the answer, is the non ai version different? is it softer than the ai and ais?
I haven't tried the non-ai version yet, so I can't say if it is the same quality or not.
I love this lens I got mine for $25 ☺️
That’s awesome you got it for so cheap!! Great deal for such an amazing lens!
Thanks;-)) I used the Nikkor-Q, the Nikkor Q.C, and finally this Nikkor 4/200 AI. Whatever you got, you'll take brilliant images, if you're experienced in doing this. And think of half-format digitals: on my Nikon D300 I get pics which look like made by a 300mm telephoto lens; I love that especially in the zoo. @philosimot
I agree - all the lenses you mentioned are very capable of delivering great results.
Great news, I just got one in Mint condition.
That is really great news indeed! Enjoy!!
I have a mint copy of this lens and use it on a Nikon D750.
Nice!!
Too long a minimum focusing distance is my problem with this. Otherwise, have one and enjoy it.
Not sure if you saw my video on helicoid adapters, but If you happen to be using this lens with a Sony mirrorless camera you can get a macro focusing helicoid adapter and greatly improve the MFD of your Nikkor lenses. Check it out: @t
It is a very nice lens. I have one and love it but calling it "super sharp" is massive exaggeration.
☢️
Colors ???.... Strangely faded with exception of greens in these exemples. I'd rather work in B&W with this one.
Ok, you do what makes you happy.
@@VintageOptiks Question is color VO. See how colors can shift between Canon FD SSC & nFD gen... Not so familiar with Nikon. But they played a lot with coating receipts through time. Must say this one looks pretty muted, just like it loves alien green. U can play with that for sure.