Used Nikon 200mm f/4D ED-IF AF Micro Nikkor Lens - Gray Market

2018-07-09T20:00:00

If you don't mind an f/4; it's a good 200mm telephoto in addition to being a fantastic macro lens. Plus it's built like the proverbial brick privy...

WebFootSTi

Originally posted at

2017-03-24T20:00:00

I am starting to dabble in macro photograph and decided on this lens to add to my collection. The ratings were all 5 star and the price very reasonable for the build quality. I had seen some macro samples of bugs and flowers but not too many people etc. I had the opportunity to photograph my sleeping grandson and felt like an old pro after I saw the results. The D810 matched up to this lens is amazing. I shot a picture in black and white and one in flat color. You be the judge just don't be a cry baby that you don't own one yet! :)

OrangeKrate

Originally posted at

2017-03-17T13:41:12

I have newer, more technically modern and certainly more expensive lenses and every time I look at images I get from this lens, even if my composition sucks (usually), I think 'this is just gorgeous, it's wonderful'.

Allen G.

2016-03-21T20:00:00

It was perfect. I made the right choice when upgrading from my old 105mm Macro that I have ever loved

Saigon Z.

Originally posted at

2015-05-19T21:00:00

Anyone looking at the reviews for this lens is most likely trying to verify what they already know: that it is a fantastic lens. My 2 cents confirm that. The lens is optically superb, and it has not been challenged by a 24 Mp DX sensor. I used it on 16 and 24 Mp DX sensor cameras, and the sharpness is flawless when images are in focus, which is a separate challenge and has nothing to do with the lens performance. The long focal length requires steady holding, so a solid tripod is a very good idea. Auto focusing, particularly if you switch from close to far away, is very slow and can be frustrating to people used to the AF-S optics with much more limited focus range. But this is not a quality one should expect from this special purpose lens with a tremendous focus distance range. As with any close up photography, motion of the subject will cause blurring as much as does the motion of the camera and the lens. Taking close-up shots of insects on flowers even in light breeze is very hard, and this lens will not make the subject steady. However, I found that by focusing manually to the close ball park, then switching to AF-C 3D tracking helps with this problem to a large degree. Once in a while the camera will hunt away from the manually focused spot and I have to manually recover the focus but most of the time it will issue fine quick adjustments and the focus will stay on target, especially if the motion is not too drastic. I find AF useful in this case. Same applies for pictures taken at long distances, where AF can fairly quickly be re-acquired when subjects are relatively in focus. It is only when the subject is totally out of focus will it take the camera / lens combination a very long time to try and find focus. I find that the bokeh for close-ups is less than creamy but Ok if the clutter is close behind the subject, and improves significantly for the clutter further away from the subject in focus. Color rendition is impeccable for the focal plane. Traces of axial CA may be seen on high contrast edges close to the focal plane but disappear quickly into the bokeh if a shallow(er) DOF is maintained in close-up shots. I have not tried the most challenging duck-on-the-water-with-sun-glare shot to see if the longitudinal CA would creep into that kind of an unlikely scenario for the use of this lens. Hand holding this lens is challenging, even for subjects far away: one has to realize that even if subjects far away appear steady, that did not make your handholding steadier and magically removed the motion that you so clearly saw when taking close-ups. You simply can't see it quite as well. Using steady support is essential with this lens regardless of the distance to the subject. The lens is fairly long and thin but hefty due to its extremely high build quality, and handles nicely on a D7000 or similar class body. It fits well onto a D5300 but can make it a bit front heavy. This is largely irrelevant as I would recommend limiting hand held use anyway.

PAVEL R.

2015-04-03T20:00:00

The Nikkor 200mm f/4 Micro Lens is the standard for quality macro photography. Its construction is excellent and its optics are superb. Its focal length of 200mm is perfect for most wildlife closeup photography when an external flash is used. Below is a photo taken at a shutter speed of 1/250, an aperture of f/11, an ISO of 3200, Aperture Priority, Matrix Metering, and White Balance set on Flash. I used a Nikon D800 camera body and a Nikon SB-700 Speedlight.

Scripps23

Originally posted at

2015-02-25T19:00:00

This lens is a dream to use; it has so much working distance compared to the shorter focal-length cousins that it vastly eases your taking pictures of mobile subjects. Mine is coupled with a D610, and the combination allows me to get shots I could not get before because the subjects (bees, butterflies, etc) kept taking off (literally) on me. No comparison, even to a 100mm competitor (I've used both 90mm and 100mm macro lenses before). Yes, it is expensive, and yes, it is a bit heavier, but the payback in ease of use more than makes up for both. The lens collar, for switching from landscape to portrait mode, is also a big winner. Save up for this lens, or break the budget and go in debt, but this is the one to get.

MacroNut

Originally posted at

2014-11-05T19:00:00

I have owned all the macros lenses, that nikon makes. All of them preformed excellent I have spent a lifetime working as a professional photographer, and NIKON has been (my drug of choice) over all the years. Let's talk about this 200mm macro.(JUST THE BEST MONEY CAN BUY) I use this lens to do extreme macro photography of iris injury's to the eyes. (NO I'm and eye surgeon) however the real surgeons use the photographs from this lens for examples during surgery. I also use the lens, with a MACRO RING light for the perfect exposure ever time. Thank you NIKON for providing me professional photographic equipment over a lifetime !!!!!

Walt

Originally posted at

2014-08-18T20:00:00

I started 40 years ago with a Nikon F2S and a 55mm f3.5 Micro-Nikkor, great lens, worked my way up to 105 AF -D also great. The 200mm AF-D is fantastic!! With D-800 in manual and auto ISO, it is incredible. I would suggest a tripod as this lens has a great tripod collar. I also use with a F-5 and use an incident light meter, manual exposure, for close ups of my cats looking out the windows. I can shoot handheld in bright light with very fast shutter in manual with auto-ISO, however this lens is so tack sharp PLEASE try it with a tripod, the resolution is beyond any other lens I have ever used. I have been shooting Nikons for over 40 years and this is as fine of an example as I have ever had.

IowaNikonian

Originally posted at

2014-04-14T21:00:00

Quality is what the professional photographers have come to rely on and experience in Nikon products and this 200mm Macro lens fulfills those expectations. Focusing from infinity to 1:1 allows us to separate an object from it's background and maintain a high quality image even at wide aperture. If AF is used it responds quickly and accurately and for stability purposes has a separate rotating collar.

RON W.

2013-12-26T19:00:00

I have been using this lens for detailed medical product photography and the resolution of this lens is absolutely stunning. I never use autofocus for macro shooting. I always manual focus so that I can control the depth of field. Combine a macro focusing rail to this lens and you will have the ultimate in focusing control without having to handhold or move your tripod constantly to achieve your reproduction ratio. The most wonderful part of this lens is that I can keep it far enough away from my subject to manipulate the subject without moving the camera out of the way. It also makes for a really great auto focus portrait lens that blows out the background quite cleanly. I have to say that the old 55 Micro was my go to for flat field copy work, the 105 Micro has been my money lens for years but this lens is absolutely exquisite for small product or insect photography. Go for as many megapixels you can afford and this lens will meet the challenge. I use a Nikon D3X and I am sure that this lens could easily resolve a 36 Megapixel D800E. If you want a professional lens that sets the bar for Macro photography, you found it!

DocCamera

Originally posted at

2013-07-01T21:00:00

I have had the 60mm, 100mm (Canon), 105mm and now the 200mm. The 200 quickly became my favorite, the ability to isolate a subject with it is unequaled.

rick_reno

2013-06-02T20:00:00

I recently asquired this lens to augment my 60 mm and my 105 mm macro lenses as well as my bellows and extension tubes. My primary goal was a better working distance than I can get with my 105 mm macro. The lens delivers well, I'm still getting used to being further from my subject a real treat when doing insects. The lack of an image stabilizer is a mixed blessing. I spent thirty five years without one but I have to admit to having been spoiled by the 105 mm macro in this regard. Still though, it's simply a matter of getting used to it again and also using higher shutter speeds something that's a lot simpler in the digital world since ISO adjustment is built into the cameras. Missing too is the AM switch, with this lens you have the choice of auto or manual focus but not both as with the 105. This too takes some getting used to. My solution tends to be to use manual most of the time which makes it easier to find the subject anyway and I achieve fine focus by moving the camera and the lens forward and back. The weight of the lens is a bit much and the autofocus is really slow but again it's just a matter of getting used to it and adjusting accordingly. Thirrty five years ago I had to adjust aperture and focus and shutter speed and get the picture all in a matter of seconds and I managed to learn how to do that. I have to do less with this lens so it's easier to learn again. Finally, the lens has a screw in lens hood. That's super if you're using close up lenses or filters. But it's a problem if you're trying to use a polarizer of course. A more aggravating problem is that flipping the hood over prevents you from attaching the lens cap. There is no way to keep the hood with the lens, you have to carry two pieces with this lens which seems a rather inept design. My reward for adjusting to the lens is the images I'm getting are amazing, crisp, excellent hues and colours and excellent contrast. I am also treated to what seems to be an enormous working distance compared to my other two lenses. The lens reallly is a dream. I expect I'll be used to it quickly enough and I will then get consistently excellent images.

Shutterbug

Originally posted at

2013-04-29T21:00:00

This lens is everything I could have hoped for, it hasn't been off my D800 since it arrived. I've used the 60mm, 105 2.8 and the new 200 and for macro and portrait work I believe the 200 is the sharpest of the bunch.

rich c.

2012-06-12T20:00:00

I had been doing a lot of macro work in the field lately, both with extension tubes and the 105mm macro, but wanted to be able to get really good shots of insects which are difficult to say the least! I decided to get this lens, and the first time I used it I got a shot of red ants as good as any I've seen. I shot with my F6, 400 speed color neg, was shooting at 1000 shutter priority, handheld laying on my stomach. At near 1:1 I got a shot of two ants that came out perfect. Other shots had detail and were good technically, but the focus locked on the wrong spot or couldn't keep up with the ants. I got the photo attached. The first ant is carrying that stick, and the second was escorting it. The shot is so sharp you can see the texture of the ants skin and the hair on it's legs. Anyone that cannot take a good photo with this lens either has no idea how to use it or is working with something that is broken!

Robert p.

Originally posted at

2012-02-25T19:00:00

I bought this lens for hand held macro shots of insects with an R1-C1 flash system and a D300 camera. At long distances, my test images were extremely sharp and contrasty from full aperture down. In the macro range, from 1:3 to 1:1, I found that the weight of the lens and the 6X magnification made quite difficult finding the subject and focusing. In manual focus mode, even with strong arms, it is difficult to keep the subject in focus for the fraction of a second required to shoot. An approach that gave good results was presetting a distance, then, in AF mode, letting the lens do the final adjustment and shooting without delay. The quality of the results is at par with the 105mm micro, with the added advantage of twice the working distance.

MO

Originally posted at

2012-02-10T19:00:00

Produces beautiful macro images.

DOMINIC B.

2011-09-13T20:00:00

No matter what I try, I can't get a truly sharp image out of this lens. I actually got sharper images with my all-in-one Canon G11. I'm not sure if there is a defect with this lens or if this is just the way it is. I look around on the internet for bug photos and I find many that are much sharper than the ones I've taken with this lens, with every possible detail standing out. Meanwhile, my best images have colors blending into one another in ways that look fuzzy and washed out. I've taken thousands of photos with this lens already, adjusting settings and lighting in every possible way, but there is never a truly crisp photo. You would think that even if I were an absolute novice that by the time I'd taken 4 or 5 thousand photos, at least one of them would be really crisp if the lens was actually capable of accomplishing this feat. But thus far nothing. This isn't to say that my clearest shots aren't very nice looking. They are. But they're not as nice as the sharpest photos I see on the web. I got this lens because all reviews praise it up and down as creating the sharpest images--but I just can't see it. Maybe my standards are too high?

wingnut

Originally posted at

2011-09-04T21:00:00

this is a nice lense, but its also a very old design with slow focus. there are several lenses that are worth looking at if you need this focul length one might try the sigma 150mm F2.8, its faster just as sharp,great color and well built, and has VR control.

ROBERT M.

2011-09-03T21:00:00

Have used this in the rain forests of India for filming and photography of snakes and frogs, at ARRS which receives the heaviest rainfall almost 24X7. Has performed consistently without any issues. The f/4 is not a deterrent if you know what you need this for.Makes a formidable combination with the Nikon 105mm VRSome of the photographs clicked using this [@]A must buy for herping and pro usage!Adorama's [...] pricing [...] as always has been a huge bonus!

Nikhilesh M.

2011-07-30T20:00:00

This lens is perhaps my sharpest lens. I really love to use it even though it is not versatile. It does the job for which it was intended and one could not find a better quality lens anywhere

swede

Originally posted at

2011-07-21T20:00:00

I have been shooting with Nikon for about two and a half years. My favorite type of photography is macro. I love to shoot flowers of all kinds. This lens is superb! It is solidly built and takes tack sharp photos. It is a heavy lens, so a good tripod is a must. I have taken some shots with success without a tripod, but they were not macro shots. I still prefer to use a tripod simply because of the weight on my D300 camera. A local camera shop told me that the 200mm is a fantastic landscape lens as well. I'm so glad I was given this advice! I was strictly using it for macro photography and was very surprised at the results after trying it on wildlife and landscapes! I finally got a great photo of Mt. Rainier, here in Washington, with this lens! A very elusive subject due to the weather. Of all of the lenses I own, this is by far my "baby" lens. My other favorite lens is the 60 mm macro, which I had for about a year prior to getting the 200mm.

WAD300User

Originally posted at

2011-04-17T20:00:00

I've only begun playing with this lens to get to it's full potential. Very nice glass-sharp as can be ! Biggest macro I've ever used and that takes a little getting used to, but I'm impressed so far with the results.

Bentnailz

Originally posted at

2011-04-17T20:00:00

This is easy to use. Just a little bit heavy. It takes some really nice pictures. I need a better monopod to help hold it in place. Used to take sport photos of my son.

tony1623

Originally posted at

2011-04-16T20:00:00

When my new 200mm Micro was delivered, I was surprised how heavy the box was. Reason? Old fashioned heavy-duty lens construction, and a "leather" case (no wimpy pouch). I thought it was 1972 again! Downside...no lens hood. At this price, it should be included. The lens itself is terrific. Shot about 40 flower photos with Velvia 50 and 100 film, and they are amazing. It's a little strong for portraits, but will work fine for most.

Hobbit

Originally posted at

2011-04-13T20:00:00

As is generally agreed, the 200MM Micro-Nikkor is an outstanding close-up lens with a good working distance and excellent image quality. There is no downside; if you can afford it and enjoy close-up shooting this is the ne plus ultra of lenses.

f8lee

Originally posted at

2011-04-13T20:00:00

In my opinion this is the best possible macro lens because, with its long focal length, it blurs more of the background at a particular aperture and has a narrow field of view. Also, it has a tripod mount on the lens itself, which allows me to freely rotate my camera body for creative compositions. And, like all Nikon lenses, it is very sharp. It's only negative--if you will--is that it is heavier and larger than the 105 mm macro.

macroj

Originally posted at

2011-03-18T20:00:00

My first review was kicked back by Nikon - I water marked the images with my copyright. So here is a revised edition; The 200mm F4 Micro is legacy Nikon, built to go anywhere. The only plastic on this lens that I know of is the aperture ring and it is protected by being so closely mounted to the camera body no worries to break it. I own a couple of other Nikon Micro/Macro lenses. It has taken me 2 weeks to get accustomed to using this "longer" lens. The Nikon 200mm F4 is one mighty fine example of a micro lens. Beautiful depth of field control all the way up to F40 at 1:1. When used with a Nikon Creative Lighting System the results are amazing. The lens performs exceptional , but for those who are use to a 105mm Micro lens the extra length = the need for an extra stable mount. Call me crazy but I carry a tripod still!!, If you use a flash you can get away without the tripod. When used correctly the lens is an exceptional micro lens - I look forward to using it this year. When mounted, you know you have it on.. It is SOLID. Best used with a flash or in sunlight..I only manual focus with this lens, so the focus speed is not an issue. However, automatic focus is touch and go depending on available light. My favorite Micro lenses are the older 105mm and this awesome 200mm F4. The pictures I attached were taken with a Nikon Flash and under Natural sunlight, the spider is a new born almost invisible to the eye, you can see his legs are translucent., a VERY tiny spider. The cat was shot under setting sun wide open. This is one fine lens..

dmbNIK

Originally posted at

2011-03-05T19:00:00

If you do a lot of Macro Photography, you will fall in love with this lens! Built like a tank and heavy it needs a sturdy tripod for best results. The 200mm macro lens is very durable and should last forever. Nikon at it's best!

GARY P.

2010-08-02T20:00:00

I have had this lens since it was first released by Nikon. It is my primary macro for flowers and butterflies which are two of my favorite subjects. This lens is tack sharp and built to withstand any field conditions. It is so well used that is shows brassing and it has been back to Nikon twice for repairs (not as a fault of the lens but the owner) and it comes back just like new. It can be difficult to find one, but if you do get one, never let it out of your possession.

tom

Originally posted at