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Forums · Digital Imaging

NIKON 200mm macro

Discussion

5 replies
Posted by Jack Graham on April 9, 2006 at 9:35 AM
I recently purchased my 1st DSLR, the D200 Nikon. I own the 200mm macro (F4) and was told that this lens , though having an 18" working distance has only a half life size view. Is this correct? Thoughts?

Thanks.

Regards,
Jack
:confused:
Posted by Alan Olander on April 9, 2006 at 10:47 AM
If your 200mm macro is the manual focus version, yes, it will only give you a 1/2 life size image on a film camera. If you have the AF version it will go to 1:1. However, on your D200 you'll get more "magnification" from either lens because of the "crop factor" due to the sensor being smaller than a 35mm frame.
Posted by Pete D on April 9, 2006 at 4:23 PM
The apparent magnification of both the AF & the MF versions will be increased. This is due to cropping because the sensor is smaller than 35 mm film. I don't have a D200, but I do have a Fuji S2. The AF200/4 does have more apparent magnification on my Fuji S2 than it does on my Nikon film cameras. The S2 also has a sensor that is smaller than 35 mm film.

Pete D.
Posted by Walter Rowe on April 10, 2006 at 6:24 AM
The D200 has 1.5x crop factor - 200mm lens => 300mm with crop factor.
Posted by Richard Ditch on April 11, 2006 at 6:45 PM
One of the motivations to buy a D200 was to be able to once again use my 26 year old manual focus 200/4 micro Nikkor and get full metering. Yes, the lens gives "just" half life size on a full frame film sensor, but with the 1.5x factor of the D200 sensor you get essentially three-quarters size. I'm looking forward to dragonfly season again this year.
Posted by Brent Murphy on April 13, 2006 at 3:42 PM
I have the MF 200mm f4 macro, and am looking forward to picking up the D200 so I can use it again. I thrilled that Nikon designed the D200 to meter with the old lenses. Yes, the old MF version focuses to 1:2 (not sure why they call it "macro"). The new AF version focuses to 1:1. So, I believe Richard is correct that you will get about .75:1 with the D200.