How good is the 200mm Pre-AI Nikkor?

[Jeff Bradford]

I have the 7-bladed f/32 version. It was inexpensive and worked well with my F, but I never shot any color film with it. I have no complaint about the images, but on the F it is a very heavy lens on a very heavy camera.

 

[chip j]

I have a Photomic FTN & a Nikkormat.

 

[CMoore]

These posts got my curiosity going.
I just sent all (5) my Prime Pre AI lens to be modified (is his name john white.?).
I looked, and i have this lens, not sure why i did not send it off also.
It has a built in (black) hood with a silver, metal, button. What is that for.?
It stops to f/32, and the area between the aperture and focus ring is silver.
It looks to be in Good-Very Good condition. I have yet to use it.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

... Nowadays they trade around $60 making them the lightest and best 200s under a hundred bucks. That said, if you ever get to shoot a 180/2.8 you'll never look at a 200 again.

As fate would have it, I have both and a method for using both.

My pre-AI Nikkor-Q 200/4 is the f/32 version. Its serial number is 49x xxx, so somewhere around 1969. Naturally, I use my pre-AI lenses on my pre-AI bodies: F, F2, FT2.

My 180/2.8 AIS I'll use only on an F3/T, FM, or FM3a even though I could use it on anything from my F to D700.

 

[flavio81]

That said, if you ever get to shoot a 180/2.8 you'll never look at a 200 again.

Are you sure? I owned a Canon FD 200/2.8 and nowadays i prefer by far the 200/4.0. It is easier to carry and handhold, and at f4.0 i already have all the narrow DOF effects I need. I'd think it would be the same with the Nikkors.