authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Anyone ever used this manual lens? Nikkor 200mm F4 AI
I have borrowed it and the difference between the Nikkor @ 200mm and my Tamron 18-250 @ 200mm both set to F11 is night and day. The Nikkor when focus properly is much sharper and has richer colors. Amazing for a 36 year old lens. I might just trade him lens as he wants my Tamron bad. My camera is a Nikon D300.

CurreyPhoto Loc: Reddick, Florida

I've never used the 200, but if the Tamron was my only AF lens I wouldn't trade it away.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

My other lens is a Nikon 50mm 1.8G. The Tamron is my only telephoto.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I'm curious about that lens too! My local camera shop is selling a used one for $30 and I'm strongly considering buying it before someone else does.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

rook2c4 wrote: I'm curious about that lens too! My local camera shop is selling a used one for $30 and I'm strongly considering buying it before someone else does.



For $30, if it is in good shape, grab it NOW! My 200mm F4 I just picked up is in almost mint condition. The color clarity and brightness is excellent. I will be selling my Tamron 18-250 f3.5 ~ 6.3 as it is not even in the same ball park as the 36 year old Nikkor 200mm. I paid $100 for it and it is such a pleasure to use. The focus smooth and fluid and the aperture ring has a nice positive click when moved. The F4 is also a great improvement. As far as manual focus goes, if my eyes can see it clearly then the photo 9 times out of 10 is focused. The lens is all metal with a built in metal hood. Go and buy it and you will never be sorry. On the D300 I simply set the specs in the non-cpu lens settings and the metering and aperture work fine. Only works in aperture priority or manual however but I knew this when I bought the lens and to me it is not a problem. Another plus is this 200mm lens is an FX lens.

I will definitely try to stay with only prime lens from now on :thumbup:

Here is a link to this lens --> http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/200mm.htm

mikedent Loc: Florida

Using non-cpu lens settings, will this lens and others in that family autofocus? Or will we need to manually focus? ie when Using D7100 and similar body. Thanks -now more to scout for at camera shows!

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Using the non-cpu setting allows the camera to use the metering since you have told the camera what lens is attached and the correct specs. The lens is and always will be manual focus. Lens has no motor or drive screw.
NOTE: The non-cpu settings are intended to facilitate the use of non-cpu PRIME lens, not zooms.

mikedent Loc: Florida

Thank you for the info!

ecommons

From the old days of film cameras. A fixed focus lens was always much sharper and clearer and colors seemed richer also. This was the trade off between fixed and zoom lenses.

I assume it is the same today in the digital world. I find it easier to carry two zoom lenses W/A through medium Telephoto and med through long telephoto, than tote around 4 to 6 fixed lenses. But, when portability is not critical, I still have my assortment of fixed lenses.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Your D300 should also indicate in the finder when your manual lens is in focus-Buy a book on the D300 or download a manual from Nikon to get the full use of this great camera.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

A manual lens can't autofocus, but the finder can indicate when it is in focus if you have indexed it as one of your manual lenses- not sure of the 7100 has this option too?

MW

The older lens may be easier to manual focus than the newer autofocus version -- more rotation from closest to infinity than on new lenses. Some newer lenses seem to focus past infinity (a PITA), something I never experienced in the old days.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

The green focus light I have founds is NOT 100% reliable. I do much better with my eyes. If I can see it in focus it almost is always in focus. Now for people with bad vision this method may pose a problem. Just make sure if you wear glasses to properly adjust the diopter on the view finder.

authorizeduser Loc: Monroe, Michigan

Tell me about it. My previous Tamron 18-250 lens was so touchy that if I got it in focus manually it was usually an accident. And yes, a long distance shot, set to infinity, would over focus past infinity. Seems like a bad design to me though this seems to happen on a lot of new lens. Either way it was VERY irritating and a royal PITA!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

I too have noticed that the green focus light is not always accurate when my older lenses are mounted. What I often do is take one shot relying on the focus light, then another based on what my eye tells me is focused - one of the two images is bound to be correctly focused!