Introduction
One of the most famous lenses of Nikon is the AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D. This macro lens was released more than 30 years ago, yet it remains in today’s demand. A part of this demand is only because there has never been a true replacement for this lens – it (so far) is the longest native of Nikon, 1: 1 macro lens, and it also has the largest working distance of any macro lens so far. Then there are optics. Although the announcement of this lens in 1993 has increased the image quality standards significantly, the AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D has maintained an excellent reputation throughout the time.
Often, macro photographers would prefer longer lenses instead of 50 mm or 60 mm macro. and why is that? Simple: Work distance. While doing macro photography, you will often participate in the challenge of being very close to your subject – perhaps just one or two inches in front of your lens or if you are using 50 mm or 60 mm. This insufficient work distance means that you can block light and intimidate a lot of subjects, while giving yourself a limited room for artificial lights like a flash. For that reason, AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D is a very desirable lens. It provides an impressive function distance of about 260 millimeters (10.2 in) in front of the lens on 1: 1 magnification. Many other macro lenses do not provide anything close to that more work distance; For example, the latest Z MC 105 mm is 134 mm of work distance by comparison (5.3 in) in 105 mm f/2.8S.
Nevertheless, AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D Mirrorless has become less popular in age, because Nikon’s FTZ adapter does not allow autofocus with old Nikon AF and AF-D-Lens in this way. Manual focus is not the end of the world for macro photography-you will often use manual focus on high quantities anyway-but this AF Micro-Nickekor puts a sponge on the overall versatility of 200 mm F/4D. However, it changed by the end of February 2025, when the company Monsterdapter announced an LA-FZ 1 adapter, which allows the old Nikon AF lens to maintain autofocus on the Z-system! This may increase interest for Nikon’s AF and AF-D-D glass, and the micro-nickery 200 mm F/4D is probably the most exciting of all these lenses. Adapter is shipping in summer 2025, and availability Can be checked here,
The prices used for AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D have been like a roller coaster over the years, but they are very few at the moment, with copies used for the sale of AF Micro-Micro-Nickeor 200 mm F/4D About $ 600 on ebay (EBay Partner Program Assisting Link). If you buy it is like $ 800 Used from Keh Instead, but in fact, prices are everywhere. If you look around, you can get a good deal that offers some of the cost of Monsterdapter La-FZ 1-and it can make AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D a much more compelling lens than ever.
Recently, I got a chance to test the AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D and in our laboratory, thanks to one of our readers who please send me a copy for testing. Even though I tested it using Nikon’s original FTZ adapter without autofocus, I was still very impressed with the lens. But I am going ahead of myself. Is it worth considering the AF Micro-Nickeor 200 mm F/4D in today’s world? How does it perform in practice? This review will answer those questions and more!
build quality
AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D build quality is in today’s world. It is a high-end optic and seems to be so, but given that it was designed 30 years ago, there are some quirks.
First, the all-metal barrel uses Nikon’s spotted black paint, at that time a head that was phased in the early 2000s. This AF Micro-Nickekor gives 200 mm F/4D almost a shimmering mat quality, not something you will see in a modern lens. Similarly for the aperture ring – this is a grip, but not a bad thing.
It is a long and heavy lens, which weighs 1185 g / 2.61 pounds and 19.3 cm / 7.6 inches long. He said, AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D does not have a huge diameter and it manages to use just 62 mm filter thread. To deal with the weight, Nikon has added a non-pilgrimage to the AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D.
Nikon does not specify the weather sealing on this lens. The AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D focuses internally, which helps with its durability for a long time (although the front element moves within a fixed outer barrel). In any case, if you want to buy one of these lenses used in good condition, then you will still find a lot of options, which Nikon has made it well, it is a will.
Handling
The AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D handles well, but not completely. The good news is that the manual focus ring is large and comfortable, and has a good focus of about 240 degrees. This enables high magnification macro photography, where you are unlikely to use autofocus.
My biggest complaint about handling is that the manual focus does not support overroid when the lens is set to autofocus. In fact, if the lens is set on the autofocus, the focus ring ring is completely locked and does not turn in any direction. If you want to focus manually with this lens, then you need to push the button on the MA ring and then rotate the ring. This is not the most smooth process and certainly works better on a more modern Nikon lens with full -time manual focus override.
The lens has an autofocus limit switch with two settings: range and complete. When set to complete, the lens can autofocus through its entire range. Meanwhile, set to set the lens will limit its autofocus capabilities to infinite (from 74 cm from infinite).
Given the release date of this lens, it does not have a few later characteristics of Nikon such as deficiency in vibration and new types of lens coatings. On Nikon Z cameras, you will still find the image stabilization of the body with this lens, whether you use Nikon’s FTZ adapter or Monsterradapter La-FZ1 adapter.
AF Micro-Nickeor 200 mm F/4D Specification
- Full Name: Nikon AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D-ED
- Mount Type: Nikon F Mount
- Focal Length: 200 mm Prime
- Angle view (FX): 12 ° 20 ′
- Maximum aperture: F/4 (F/5.3 effective aperture 1: 1 on magnification)
- Minimum aperture: F/32
- Aperture Blade: 9
- Filter size: 62 mm
- Lenses: 13
- Lens Group: 8
- Special Elements: 2 Ed Glass
- Super Integrated Coating: Yes
- Fluorine coated front element: no
- Electronic diaphragm: no
- Vibration reduction: no
- Internal focus: yes
- Control rings: focus and aperture
- Ceremony button: No
- Switch: MA and Focus limits
- Focus Motor: None (Screw Drive, Powered by Camera)
- Minimum focus distance: 48.8 cm (19.2 in)
- Work distance: 256 mm (10 in)
- Maximum magnification: 1 × (1: 1)
- Mount Material: Metal
- Weather/Dust Ceiling: Not specified
- Dimensions (length × diameter): 193 × 76 mm (7.6 × 3.0 in)
- Weight: 1185 grams (2.61 pounds)
- Current Price: Using approximately $ 800 (Check current value,
The next page of this review incorporates optical characteristics of the AF Micro-Nickekor 200 mm F/4D, including the laboratory performance and focus on acurest tests. So, click on the menu below to go to “optical display”:
