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Nikon 200mm f/2 VR
"Super-Chub" (2004-2010)

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Nikon 200mm f/2 VR

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2D VR. It really looks like this! enlarge. It's usually about $2,900 used if you know How to Win at eBay.

This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.

 

NEW: This lens is replaced by the Nikon 200mm f/2 VR II as of September 2010.

Nikon 200mm f/2 AI-s

 

Introduction

This beast was introduced in 2004. It is intended for portraits and photographing indoor volleyball. It is very expensive and intended when you absolutely need f/2.0, otherwise any Nikon 80-200 or 70-200 f/2.8 zoom gives the same results for a lot less money in a much smaller and less expensive package.

The photo above is correct: this lens is extremely fat for it's length. It looks squashed above, and that's the way it looks. It's as big around as the 300 f/2.8 but not as long.

It has Vibration Reduction (VR) that helps eliminate hand shake. This lets you photograph still subjects at slower shutter speeds without a tripod. This is great for evening surveillance and landscapes. For sports the only application of VR is to help get better slow pan shots since it can't stop subject motion.

 

Specifications

Optics

Nikon 200mm diagram

Internal diagram, Nikon 200mm f/2 VR. bigger.

13 elements in 9 groups. 1 additional meniscus protective front plate.

3 ED, 1 super ED.

Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.

 

Diaphragm

9 rounded blades.

Stops down to f/22.

 

Close Focus

6.2 feet (1.9m).

 

Maximum Reproduction Ratio

1:8.2.

 

Size

4.9" (124mm) around by 8.0" (203mm) extension form flange.

 

Weight

6.4 pounds (102 oz. or 2,900g.)

 

Filters

It takes 52mm filters in an internal slot.

 

Hood

HK-31 Hood

Nikon HK-31 Hood.

HK-31 hood, included.

 

Case        top

Nikon CL-L1 case

Nikon CL-L1 case. enlarge.

CL-L1, included.

 

Vibration Reduction

Claims 3 stops improvement.

 

Nikon Product Number

2150.

 

Announced

01 June, 2004.

 

Replaced

15 September 2010, by the 200mm f/2 VR II, which is the same thing with slightly better VR and Nano coating.

 

Price

$4,800, September 2010.

 

Performance

Sorry, haven't tried it yet. I suspect it's spectacular as all Nikon fast super-telephotos have always been.

 

Recommendations

This is a lens that you let your sports magazine buy for you to to cover indoor volleyball. For your own money it's a very special purpose and expensive lens.

 

© KenRockwell.com

 

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Ken

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Sept 2010, 2008