Micro-Nikkor AF-D 200/4 ED
The best tele lens of Nikon and probably one of the best tele lens ever. This glass, still in production, is big and heavy: 200mm c.a. for 1,2 Kg! With these characteristics not recommended its hand-free use and never in close-up photograpy (as always). Unfortunately the collar tripod on the lens is poor quality and breaks easily. For a not macro use, the lens (as often happens) is optimal from f/8 to f/11 diaphram. The first exemplaries were produced in October 1993. Today the Micro AF-D 200 costs from $1500 to $1800 (new). The lens in real applications, also on digital cameras, like D3 or D800E, is very satisfying. With my sample, on tripod, I got shots with exceptional pictorial results. The best diaphrams for close-up are f/5.6 - f/11 but in case of high reproduction ratio until f/18 the results are still acceptable. From f/20 the diffraction becomes too much strong (much more than a AF-S 60mm Micro). This lens is ideal for shooting insect, butterflies or flowers on the condition that the subjects permit the manual focusing because the AF is too slow (also on D3). I've tried this lens on many cameras and the results are always been excellent. The photographic results on Nikon digital cameras D200, D3, D800 and D800E are similar in my opinion.
My opinion ( 1 Poor - 5 Excellent )
Quality on field:
(Tested: Nikon D200, D3, D800, D800E)
Mechanical:
(Poor collar and slow AF)
Price/Performance:
(Still new but a bit expensive)
Nikkor 200mm Micro: close-up shot on D3 @ f/25
Small selection of less common mushrooms
