After decades as a professional photographer I finally own my dream lens. This lens was introduced in 1977 for professional photographers only. It’s a beast! Weighing in at 6.4 pounds this lens is no light weight. Is that a problem vs quality? Nope! Read on…
My version of this lens is the one introduced in 2004. I don’t know yet what year my lens is, I’m researching that now through Nikon. The lens is the Nikon AFS 200mm f/2 G ED VR IF. This is lens is very “specialized” in that it is fast as lightning to focus, and exceptionally sharp.
All my Images in this post were my first images captured with the 200 f/2. In the case of the horse below? Zero edits! Straight out of Camera!
Originally designed to be used for indoor sports like basketball and volleyball this lens is also the holy grail of portrait lenses. The bokeh on this lens is unlike any other. The subject separation and contrast is something to be seen. Is it heavy? Yup! A beast of a lens offering unmatched image quality? Yup! Expensive? Yup.
It’s been said many times it’s the Photographer not the gear that makes the image. Very true! However! It’s essential to have the best tools for your career. Would a surgeon use a dull scalpel? Nope! Now for the expensive part.
If you are looking for the very best in anything… being cheap will close many doors.
The expensive part has always been the hold up. Photography is not an inexpensive endeavor. In the past I simply could not justify the expense of this glass vs how much money I could make with it, or how much I would actually use it. Now? Because people are out there climbing on the latest and greatest bandwagon, and they are selling their gear to own the new stuff,… getting the lens for the “right money” is possible.
Some very famous photographers have converted their entire gear inventory over to the new crazes. However! Those same Photographers will hold on to one or two special lenses they can’t bear to part with. In the Nikon line that’s the 200mm f/2. Maybe the 105mm f/1.4 as well. The 300 & 500 mm PF might also make it. But the 200 f/2? Nah… I’m never selling that one!
Now that I’m charmingly antique, a couple of years ago I contemplated buying this lens. I mean really… ya can’t take it with you right? I rented this lens and at the same time the Sigma Art 135 f/1.8… I used them side by side all day. The weight of the lens, the expense, and the compromise I could edit out of the resultant image, all led me to buy the Sigma, saving me about $4,000.00.
The Sigma has been an outstanding purchase. However it was a comprise. It’s very good glass but it’s not the Nikon 200mm f/2.
I’ve wanted this lens for over four decades. Experienced Photographers are well aware the camera manufactures come out with new bodies all the time. If they don’t their income is temperamental. However? Good glass? Lives on forever. I’m not speaking of entry level glass like an 18-200 f/3.5 to 5.6… those lenses are marketed to a specific market of “budget Photographers”
That photographer has sticker shock vs quality on their brain. That and “hey man, I only need one lens for everything.” A professional or an advanced amateur is looking for the best available. We are not looking for “good enough.” All over the internet you will find Photographers of all levels arguing technicalities with each other over Photography.
However… all over the internet you seldom find people willing to go the extra mile when it comes to their gear. That other lens is way cheaper than the one my manufacture offers and it’s “good enough”…or? I’ll talk myself into believing that it is. Or? Someone out there will run a test stating that it’s just as good or better. I’m sorry they really are not. Each manufacture blends all of their hardware and software ingredients together in order to offer something “brand worthy.”
The professional sees things in images others do not. That is until those others go wow! I wanna take pictures like that! Yet still, they are not fully committed. Many of those others do not wish to spend years honing their craft. Don’t believe me? Look around any ad on FB concerning Photography and the ads that get the most action are the ones promising one click perfection. Yeah right…
Countless times myself and other pro’s state it’s not about the gear. This is very true. However in the case of a lens like this vs that kit lens? The difference is immense. Once you are using the best gear available then it becomes about how you will use that gear differently. What will set your images apart?
The contrast, the subject separation, sharpness, and the bokeh of the Nikon 200 f/2 are unmatched. The lens focuses lightning fast. Then with all those elements present? The knowledge of the pro to compose images of excellence truly comes into play.
This lens will also show you any mistake you might make in spades! You can’t screw up! At f/2 with a 200mm lens focusing on a subject 12 feet away the depth of field is only one inch! At 24 feet away the depth of field is only 6 inches.
So if you focus on someone’s nose instead of their eyelashes? Their ears are out of focus! A pro knows these numbers by heart, or at the very least has a list taped to the back of their camera.
The amature? Prolly did not even research this before taking the shot. What about the argument of using the less expensive 70-200 f2.8? That’s only one less stop of light. The 200mm f/2 is miles apart from that 70-200 racked out to 200. It’s not even a close contest.
The biggest caveat to this lens is it’s weight. Bolted up to my Nikon D-850 I’m holding about eight and a half pounds! You don’t just go on a hike with this lens. Ya don’t throw it over your shoulder like you do with other lenses attached.
You definitely DO NOT hold this lens just with the camera. Yes it’s a short lens at about 8 inches, but the strain on your camera’s lens mounting flange is nothing to take for granted. Don’t do it! This lens requires special handling considerations, even if you’re not charmingly antique.
At the very least I’ll be using a monopod with this lens. Can I hand hold it? Yes. Does it have VR? Yes. However! You do not need much camera shake with a 200 f/2 to help you capture blurry photos.
If you will watch the used gear market a bit instead of spending a lot of time figuring out which new stuff to buy… you will learn there are “holy grail’s” of glass for every manufacture. These lenses have stood the test of time. They are still unmatched. Even used, if you could find one for sale, it’s more expensive than current gear.
There are two “holy grail” lenses in the Nikon line. The 13mm f/5.6, one of which sold for $50,000.00 in December of 2023, and the exceptionally rare 6mm f/2.8 which has been offered for sale at prices over $150,000.00!
Will my 200mm f/2 wind up in this realm? Probably not. There are rumors that Nikon is going to make this lens for the Z Mirrorless Cameras. If they do I expect it will be offered for sale in the $7,000.00 to $9,000.00 range. At those prices I think the lens will still be very specialized.
In that price range you simply have to justify how much you’ll use it vs the reward, income or satisfaction wise. For many years I thought if this lens was half the price I’d buy it and place it in my bag as a speciality lens.
Well that time has come…
I picked up my version for $3,000.00 including tax and shipping… yes still expensive but this one is in like new condition. Very rare for a used lens like this. Pro’s can be hard on well used gear. I expect that if I ever wanted to sell my 200 f/2 I’ll be able to get at least 2500.00 for it. If that’s the case I used the lens for only $500.00? Not bad!
If I was going to grab a new mirrorless camera it would be the Nikon Z-8, which lists for $4,000.00… in a very short time Nikon will come out with the next great camera body. That Z-8 will go down in price like a lead balloon. But I doubt this lens will.
My biggest fear with electronic cameras is the fact that electronics can be very hard to repair or trouble shoot. Also there are very few things a Z-8 can do, that my D-850 can not, for my style of Photography. I simply do not “need it”… yet.
Now… if anybody sees a Nikon 120-300 f/2.8 in like new condition for the right price? Let me know! For now? I’m happier than a pig in slop with this purchase. A passel of fleas in a dog house could not be as giddy as I am with the Nikon 200mm f/2.
I highly recommend that all Photographers check out used equipment from reputable sources. New Photographers on a budget?? Absolutely! Many new Photographers that I have interviewed, have stated their budget was 1,000.00 to 1,500.00 for a “good camera.”
When it comes to brand new equipment that budget will not buy much. Today I went looking for a good used camera in the Nikon line, just for this article. I found that you can get a full frame Nikon D-780 in Excellent Condition for about $1,100.00… a Nikon 50mm f1.4 lens? For $225.00… This is a far better kit than I started out with!
Many will scoff at this advice… that’s ok. Just as many or more will know Garrett does not speak with forked tongue.
Thanks For Being Here!
Warren Lee Is My Featured Photographer This Month
Warren Lee is an award winning, internationally published, artist and speaker. From the tiny to the vast he specializes in finding and sharing, through fine art prints, portions of the amazing wonder and joy around us. He is entranced by wildlife – especially critters in motion and landscapes.
Warren retired after 44 years of program engineering service in the Air Force. He is an enthusiastic photographer living in the desert southwest – a perpetual student of the school of countless trials and errors. Warren is also a member of my Campfire Group.
One of the kindest men I know, Warren is pretty special. He has been on countless PhotoSafaris with me and is always first in line to assist in any way possible. His Photographic Passion is infectious. Warren is especially passionate towards the print. Warren believes very strongly, as I do, that it’s not a Photograph until it’s printed. I am very proud to call Warren a friend as well as a client.
Warren currently travels the world with is lovely bride Carol in search of his next composition. You can see more of Warren’s world on his website, warrenleeartistics.art
Below is a slideshow of just some of Warren’s vast portfolio…
