I found this one in my neighborhood, an amazing discovery:
this lens is now a kind of collector's item.
The 200mm 5.6 is a very special concept: included modelling lamps and ring flash, with everything mechanical on the lens: select ISO, magnification factor (in combination with close up lenses), and aperture (fixed depending on the other choices, flash intensity being constant). There is no focus ring, focus is achieved by moving back and forth (a technique I am already using with classical macro lenses). nikonmed-1 by gugs, on Flickr
From the ever acerbic Bjørn Rørslett on the 200 Medical Nikkor:
"Image quality cannot match modern close-focusing designs, though. You only have fixed reproduction rates which are achieved by combining members of a set of dedicated close-up lenses. The lens itself has no means of focusing."
Doesn't sound like a great deal of fun. He adds that he uses it to photograph ants that emit noxious chemicals because of the distance it affords.
Excellent find! The most perfect and complete set I've seen so far. Don't be detracted by unflattering reviews. I remember a discussion of this lens on another forum and the images were quite good. Btw, you can overcome the impossibly low ISO settings at low magnification by diffusing the flash.
I have seen then at antique camera trade shows, and most of the time they are in-complete, missing power supply/electric items. Nice find Guy.
Harry Palmer
as requested, a few quick test pics:
(the magnification factor is printed on the picture)
I underexposed by two stops @LO1 (ISO100) on the D3 to get a virtual ISO 25 to be able to avoid closing down completely. med-1 by gugs, on Flickr
j.liam wrote:
From the ever acerbic Bjørn Rørslett on the 200 Medical Nikkor:
"Image quality cannot match modern close-focusing designs, though. You only have fixed reproduction rates which are achieved by combining members of a set of dedicated close-up lenses. The lens itself has no means of focusing."
Doesn't sound like a great deal of fun. He adds that he uses it to photograph ants that emit noxious chemicals because of the distance it affords.
An ant lens!
So sorry to say it, but my experience with the lens just proves that Bjorn is not ALWAYS right and/or objective. And by the way I don't think I really ever used the focusing ring on a macro lens to adjust my focus, I always move the lens anyway... And the combo is just fun to use, even if it is a bit strange...
