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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Lens

BH #NI2002AFS • MFR #2188
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Lens
Key Features
  • F-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2 to f/22
  • Three ED Element, One Super ED Element
  • Nano Crystal & Super Integrated Coatings
Built for speed, the AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II from Nikon is a fast medium telephoto lens well-suited for photographing portraiture, wildlife, sports, and other fast-moving subjects. Characterized by its bright f/2 maximum aperture, this lens is an apt performer in low-light conditions and also is ideal for using shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques. Its sophisticated optical design employs one Super ED element along with three additional extra-low dispersion elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity. Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings are also used to control flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity. Complementing the optics is a Silent Wave Motor, which affords fast and precise autofocus, and VR II image stabilization compensates for up to three stops of camera shake.
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Overview

Built for speed, the AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II from Nikon is a fast medium telephoto lens well-suited for photographing portraiture, wildlife, sports, and other fast-moving subjects. Characterized by its bright f/2 maximum aperture, this lens is an apt performer in low-light conditions and also is ideal for using shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques. Its sophisticated optical design employs one Super ED element along with three additional extra-low dispersion elements to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity. Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings are also used to control flare and ghosting for greater contrast and color fidelity. Complementing the optics is a Silent Wave Motor, which affords fast and precise autofocus, and VR II image stabilization compensates for up to three stops of camera shake.

Medium telephoto prime is designed for FX-format F-mount cameras, however can also be used with DX models where it will provide a 300mm equivalent focal length.
Impressively bright f/2 maximum aperture excels in difficult lighting conditions and also enables extensive control over depth of field for isolating subjects using selective focus techniques.
One Super ED element and three extra-low dispersion elements greatly reduce color fringing and chromatic aberrations in order to produce greater clarity and color accuracy.
Both a Nano Crystal Coat and a Super Integrated Coating have been applied to individual elements to suppress internal reflections, flare, and ghosting for improved contrast and color accuracy when working in strong lighting conditions.
Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. An internal focusing design is also used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds.
VR II (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization helps to minimize the appearance of camera shake by three stops to benefit shooting handheld in difficult lighting conditions.
Removable, rotating tripod collar benefits working with the lens atop a tripod or monopod.
Rounded nine-blade diaphragm promotes a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR IISpecs

Focal Length
200mm
Maximum Aperture
f/2
Minimum Aperture
f/22
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
12° 20'
Minimum Focus Distance
6.2' / 1.89 m
Maximum Magnification
0.12x
Optical Design
13 Elements in 9 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
9, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Yes
Tripod Collar
Removable and Rotating
Filter Size
52 mm (Drop-In)
Dimensions (ø x L)
4.88 x 7.99" / 124 x 203 mm
Weight
6.38 lb / 2900 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
12.85 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
15.5 x 11 x 11"

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II Reviews

Sublime images

By Mark
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-04-16

Been waiting for this to come back into stock for about a year. Got the message a month ago and ordered it immediately. The lens hasn't been off my Z9 since. Unbelievable results. Well worth the waiting.

Very specialized portrait lens

By Alexandre
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2020-08-10

I owned that lens for several years (bought it from B&H soon after Nikon made it available), it is a very special lens, yes it is very sharp, yes the bokeh is fabulous, but the depth of field is too small for portraits, you can never get the eyes and the nose in focus at the same time, so you end up shooting that lens at f/2.8 or even f/4, what's the point to pay the high price for a f/2 telephoto if you don't use it wide open ? I get better and easier portraits with the 300mm f/2.8 or even the 500mm f/4 I hope one day Nikon will release the same lens in a 135mm f/2 version (the actual Nikon 135mm f/2 DC have way to much chromatic aberrations at f/2)

Sharpest Lens I have ever used.

By Terry
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-06-15

I wanted this lens for over 2 years and finally bit the bullet. I have been using wide open for static shots and action. It just blows out the background and the subject is tac sharp as seen in the poster I shot.

Outstanding Lens

By David
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-12-16

Of all of the Nikkor lenses that I have, this is probably the sharpest. It is big and heavy for a 200mm but it is worth it for the absolutely tack sharp results. While it obviously doesn't have the reach of a 400 or 600, it is amazing in the right situations. I couldn't be happier!

Beautiful lens for sports

By Louie
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2019-09-12

Fast focus high-quality image !

Fantastic Optic - But Be Warned

By Michael
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-12-28

This is a truly fantastic optic. Insanely sharp, instant focus, wonderful bokeh. I couldnt give it anything but five stars. You can rest assured that is what you are getting. But heed my warning -- I have walked around with 12 pound cameras (600mm lenses and heavy bodies) all day long, but let me tell you -- this smaller and lighter 200mm f/2 lens feels heavier. This beast feels like it was carved from a iron meteorite. This is the densest lens I have ever picked up. It is amazingly heavy for its size.

Excellent Lens

By Alex
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2021-01-08

I owned one of these lenses for about three years and in that time, I came to appreciate it as the fastest focussing and sharpest lens I have ever used up to that point. While I believe it was intended originally for indoor sports in smaller venues, it is also an excellent portrait lens. On a Nikon D850, a D500, and a Z7, it was a superb lens for photographing people and animals, particularly in motion. It worked extremely well with the FTZ adaptor on the Z7 and I did not see any functional difference between the D850 and the Z7. On the D500, it was blazingly fast. I cannot adequately describe how fast it would focus. And of course at that focal length, and shooting at F2, I got great separation of subject from the background and foreground. Images were beautifully clean, crisp, with very good colour rendition. The background blur was smooth and the in focus subject really stood out against the blurred out background. It is a heavy lens. Hand-held shooting is possible, particularly if you get down low to photograph animals but a gimbal mount is almost a necessity to allow you to move this lens to track a subject. This lens falls into the category of transportable versus portable. It is also rugged and worked well in all sorts of weather. Rain and snow were not a problem. I eventually sold it because I decided to go with another manufacturer and I had no need of this lens, even if I used an adapter. I was sad to see it go but given how rugged and reliable this lens is, I am sure that it will give someone else many years of use from it.

Beast of a lens. Redefines sharp. Carry a monopod.

By Peter
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2020-10-12

Sorry they discontinued this and the 200 mm F/4 Micro. It's my comfort zone. You can't find them easily anymore I'd wager. Glad I reacted when I did.

See any errors on this page? Let us know

question

Is this NEW or refurbished!?
Asked by: Anonymous
All items in our inventory would be new, unless clearly stated otherwise on the item's page. And for the most part, no used or refurbished items will come up in a search unless you are specifically looking in our Used Department. That being said, this AF-S 200mm f/2 VR lens is a new lens.
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2018-08-28

Can this be used with teleconvertor

Can this be used with teleconvertor
Asked by: Anonymous
I did comparison shots between Nikkor 200mm f/2G VR II + Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17 II (340mm f/3.3) vs Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D AF-S II without TC. I would never consider using Nikkor 200mm f/2G VR II with teleconverter attached. The images appear soft.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2020-02-18

question

does this include hood
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, the lens hood is included.
Answered by: Matthew C.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Is the aperture constant while zooming?
Asked by: Chris
This is a prime lens that does not zoom. It has a focal length of 200mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.
Answered by: Andrea O.
Date published: 2020-02-18

question

What are included in the package? thanks a lot
Asked by: Anonymous
On the right hand side of the Specifications tab on any product link of our website, just to the left of the tabs entitled Customer Reviews & Accessories is a tab entitled In the Box where it will list all of the items that ship out with the lens. That being said, the Nikon AF-S 200mm f/2G VR II comes with the following: Dedicated Slip-On Front Lens Cap LF-1 Rear Lens Cap for F Mount Lenses HK-31 Lens Hood Dedicated Slip-In Filter Holder 52mm Screw-In NC Filter Semi-Soft Case (CL-L1) LN-1 Lens Strap
Answered by: Christina S.
Date published: 2018-12-30

question

does this lens have a protective front glass built into ti? if so, is the protective glass also a filter of some kind?
Asked by: Willie
The front element of glass is supercoated and protective in its own right. There is no option to mount filters on the front. It does have an option to use drop-in type filters.
Answered by: Yos O.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

I want to buy this lens to use it with my Nikkor AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-20E lll 2x do I loose much sharpness? How about Auto Focus Speed?Is this lens sharper than the Nikkor AF-S 300mm F/2.8 ED VR ll ?Thank you for your Help. Ozy Lopez
Asked by: Anonymous
A 2x teleconverter lowers the amount of light by two stops which will in most cases lower the focus speed. The converter optics so adding a lens to another lens which is what you are doing is not going to improve a lens. The converter is one of the best so it will change any lens using it but about the least compared too many others of this kind.The 200 and 300mm lens are really very good and optically very similar. The 200mm is a faster lens at f/2 compared to the 300mm which is f/2.8.
Answered by: Robert K.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Comparing the 2.8 70-200 zoom vs. 2.0 200 fixed? Aside from the larger maximum aperture (2.0 vs. 2.8), does the 2.0 200 offer better image quality, performance, etc. than the 70-200 zoom. I've been pleased so far with the 70-200 zoom, using it for sports as well as portrait and environmental photos. But have always wondered -- with all lenses -- whether there is an inherent comprise with a zoom lens.
Asked by: Anonymous
The short answer is primes are sharper, BUT.., maybe not by enough depending on your intended uses. The simplest reason is a prime has less glass to distort the light. The 70-200 has 21 glass elements in 16 groups. By comparison, the 200 prime has only 13 elements in 9 groups. One way to think about this is that there's a lot less glass doing things like correction and the lens is zoomed. A prime will typically focus faster too.That said, advances in lens design and construction have made the difference much less noticable than say, 20 or 30 years ago. It is even possible for a zoom to outperform a prime, but in my opinion, these cases are still outliers. With specific regard to the 200, I can tell you it is (by far) the sharpest lens I have ever owned that shoots at 200mm (zoom or prime). I am very glad I purchased it. It is a bit heavy and chubby , but it takes incredible shots. Even wide open at f/2. I did a recent comp card for a friend (actor) using the 200 f/2 and we were both very satisfied with the results. Auto-focus is lightning fast. Downright impressive. And of course, VR-II. I should also mention that (for me, at least), this is about as large and heavy a lens as I would want to carry all-day on a walkabout.Now, all that said: I must also say that my Tamron 28-300 probably spends the most time on my camera - and it's a zoom, obviously. When you're just out doing walkabout, having zoom capabilies is really nice. Otherwise, you get to zoom with your feet, which isn't always possible or convenient. Like they say: You only live once. So try one out, rent or borrow one, and if you're as impressed as I think you migth be, then go for it. The 200 f/2 is a bit pricey (i.e., investment), but it's not one you're apt to part with once you acquire it. You will be shooting with it the rest of your life. Hope this helps, and Happy Shooting!
Answered by: Michael M.
Date published: 2023-06-01
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