Home · Register · Join Upload & Sell

Moderated by: Fred Miranda
Username  

  New fredmiranda.com Mobile Site
  New Feature: SMS Notification alert
  New Feature: Buy & Sell Watchlist
  

FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       4       5       end
  

Archive 2016 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?

  
 
CRFTony
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


I'm in love with the beautiful depth of field from the Nikon 200 2.0 but I just can't afford it. I primarily use an 85 1.4 which is nice, but it's really not even close to the 200. Are there any lenses that come close for a lower price? I know that's probably silly question as the lens has such a magical look, but I thought I'd ask.


Apr 12, 2016 at 11:59 AM
EBOBO
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


The 300mm f/2 is available.. .http://www.ebay.com/itm/201555488912 though it's not cheaper.


Apr 12, 2016 at 12:07 PM
Chris Court
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


It depends what you mean by "close". I would call both the 85 1.4 and the 70-200 "close", and I imagine the 135s (Zeiss or DC) and 180 2.8 would be similarly "close", although I have not used either of those.

Of course, "close" is not the same as "equal"

There is an older 200/2 ais also, which (on the few occasions one comes available) is usually quite a bit cheaper than the AF-S version, and is optically equally impressive.

C

Edited on Apr 12, 2016 at 12:37 PM · View previous versions



Apr 12, 2016 at 12:21 PM
trenchmonkey
Offline
• • • • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


Zeiss 135 ZF.2 is as 'close' as I've found...and my 300 f2.8


Apr 12, 2016 at 12:21 PM
VictorSk
Offline

Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


200 2.0 is a magnificent lens. I have it, I shot it. It is remarkable.
BUT, It doesn't create magnificent pictures. It doesn't put content into the frame, nor does it light it or compose it. The photographer behind the camera does it. It's just a tool, a very good one, to create a certain type of photos and it is most definitely excels in it. There are other tools around,like yours 85 1.4, and they are all excellent tools. They provide different perspective and qualities to you photo. Use them, and more important, use you imagination to create wonderful memories.
Remember always- it's only a tool. YOU are the artist, not the camera or the lens. Don't fixate on the bokeh. It's far less important than people tend to make of it.



Apr 12, 2016 at 12:31 PM
Next39
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


My 400 2.8 at close distance is pretty close to the 200/2 for fabulous bokeh, but it's a little heavy... and people complain that the Sigma 50 1.4 Art is heavy. lol

But seriously, the 200/2 is in it's own class. The 70-200 isn't there.

Now if we only had a 135/1.8 to compare to the 200/2.



Apr 12, 2016 at 12:37 PM
Joseph.
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


Based on actual ownership, I'd say both the ZF135/2 and Nikkor 135/2 AIS come close.

But remember that "close" does NOT mean equal... there are situations when nothing else will work but the 200/2.








Nikkor 135 f/2 AIS







Nikon 200 f/2 VR1




Apr 12, 2016 at 01:27 PM
Frode
Offline
• •
[X]
p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?



Cheaper and as good as? No.

CRFTony wrote:
I'm in love with the beautiful depth of field from the Nikon 200 2.0 but I just can't afford it. I primarily use an 85 1.4 which is nice, but it's really not even close to the 200. Are there any lenses that come close for a lower price? I know that's probably silly question as the lens has such a magical look, but I thought I'd ask.




Apr 12, 2016 at 01:28 PM
cambyses
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


I second Zeiss 135/2 APO ZF.2, if you can live with MF. It is as sharp, if not sharper, wide open, and its rendering in color and contrast is similar to 200/2. And you can get it for only ~$1700 new (with the current $400 mail-in-rebate), or ~$1400-$1500 used here on B&S. We had 200/2 VR, and bought Zeiss 135/2, after trying it out and seeing how similarly it renders to 200/2, at much smaller size/weight/cost. Of course, the 200/2 still has its place, particularly for subjects where manual focusing would be more challenging.


Apr 12, 2016 at 02:11 PM
CanadaMark
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


The 70-200/2.8 II is probably as close as you're going to get for stunning performance at 200mm, but of course you're behind a stop and it will never be quite as good as the 200/2. It's damn good though, and probably close enough for many.

The cheapest way to get great backgrounds is with the 85's. The 135/2 is very good as well.

Sigma filed a patent for a a 200/2 OS 'Sports" lens so you could wait for that too haha.



Apr 12, 2016 at 02:21 PM
BSPhotog
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


I don't own either, but the "poor man's 200 f/2" is usually the 180mm f/2.8D. The 180 is probably the next lens that I'll buy in life. I've seen very good stuff shot on the 180mm f/2.8D


Apr 12, 2016 at 02:37 PM
Rob UK
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


BSPhotog wrote:
I don't own either, but the "poor man's 200 f/2" is usually the 180mm f/2.8D. The 180 is probably the next lens that I'll buy in life. I've seen very good stuff shot on the 180mm f/2.8D


Yep I'd consider that lens too, isn't that what Benjikan uses quite often on his fashion shoots?



Apr 12, 2016 at 02:52 PM
GOVA
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


You should be happy you've not tried Canon 200 f/1.8 wide open. Have you?

How is the 135mm from Nikon, still the old build? Zeiss 135, but it is much cheaper either.



Apr 12, 2016 at 02:57 PM
daggah
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


DoF calculator measurements...assuming a D800 @ 10 feet from subject

Nikon 200mm f/2:

Depth of field
Near limit 9.96 ft
Far limit 10 ft
Total 0.09 ft

In front of subject 0.04 ft (50%)
Behind subject 0.04 ft (50%)

Nikon 180mm f/2.8:

Near limit 9.93 ft
Far limit 10.1 ft
Total 0.15 ft

In front of subject 0.07 ft (50%)
Behind subject 0.08 ft (50%)

Step forward a foot, and the DoF of a 180mm f/2.8 @ f/2.8 is 0.12 feet. Though I really don't know how much you'd need to move forward to match framing between 180mm and 200mm.



Apr 13, 2016 at 06:26 AM
Andre Labonte
Offline
• • • • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


300 f/2.8 is close ... and about the same price ...


Apr 13, 2016 at 07:53 AM
m.sommers00
Offline
• • • •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


Yeah comparisons of the Nikon 180 2.8, 70-200 VRII and Sigma 180 2.8 APO vs. the Nikon 200/2 would be really interesting to see!


Apr 13, 2016 at 10:09 AM
SoundHound
Offline
• • • • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


IMHO (and I have both of them as well as the Canon 200 mm F2.0 too) the 70-200 VRs and the 200mm F 2.0 VR are NOT "close." Except if you use them both stopped down. This is one time where specs do not tell the story. The 200mm F2.0 VR is magic.

I often use it hand held with a special rig to shift the weight back to my body. I never have a thought to stop down. It also takes a TC1.7 well (340mm F 3.3!). VR and AF is a big part of the package (I bought the MKI VR used). I don't have much use for non VR and MF for shooting animates.



Apr 13, 2016 at 10:26 AM
daggah
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


The main problem with comparing the 70-200 VR to the 200mm f/2 is the 70-200's focus breathing. That's why I'd also be very interested in seeing a side-by-side comparison to the 180 f/2.8.


Apr 13, 2016 at 11:23 AM
Wes_S
Offline
• •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


VictorSk wrote:
200 2.0 is a magnificent lens. I have it, I shot it. It is remarkable.
BUT, It doesn't create magnificent pictures. It doesn't put content into the frame, nor does it light it or compose it. The photographer behind the camera does it. It's just a tool, a very good one, to create a certain type of photos and it is most definitely excels in it. There are other tools around,like yours 85 1.4, and they are all excellent tools. They provide different perspective and qualities to you photo. Use them, and more important, use you imagination to create wonderful memories.
...Show more

DING, DING, DING!!! We have a winner! Ansel Adams did stunning work without access to the kind of stuff we have today. Just something to think about.



Apr 13, 2016 at 12:56 PM
Surfnsun
Offline
• • •
Upload & Sell: On
p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Is there anything close to the 200 2.0?


To the OP, perhaps you should try the DC-NIKKOR 105mm f/2D Lens?


Apr 13, 2016 at 05:47 PM
1
       2       3       4       5       end




FM Forums | Nikon Forum | Join Upload & Sell

1
       2       3       4       5       end
    
 

You are not logged in. Login or Register

Username       Or Reset password



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.