[bwield]

Seems to be the forgotten DA*.
Only 3 reviews in the lens review section and barely ever a mention on the forum.
Is it because its a awkward focal length on a DSLR?
To expensive?
From all accounts it seems to be a good performer, however even in PPG it is under-represented in comparison with the other DA*'s.

Are there any owners that would like to share their experiences and pictures from this lens?

I am looking at getting it and than later the DA*300mm, however though I can find lots of reviews / thoughts on the 300mm the 200mm seems almost forgotten.

Any proud DA*200mm owners out there?
Maybe we can showcase the forgotten DA*200mm

[Buddha Jones]

I have it, and I love it. It is prolly the 2nd sharpest lens in my stable but the least used mainly because of its focal length. I would say it is a great portrait lens for some great in your face shots and as well for sports in close confines of the indoor nature like swimming, basketball and indoor soccer. None of the afore mentioned events I have gotten to shoot yet with any regularity so there you have it.

I think I am going to take it with me on my trip to NY to 'force' me to use it more.

[creampuff]

Always was the middle child between the DA* 50-135mm and the DA* 300mm. And now with the DA* 60-250mm, it looks set to be even more neglected. I've used it and I like it a lot.


K20D DA* 200mm f/2.8

[bwield]

I think thats going to be its downfall...
To many other DA* arround it.
Its real advantage is that its 200mm but still 2.8.
I dare to say that if it was a 200mm 2.8 MACRO it would be very popular

[jsherman999]

I never really considered getting one, because I didn't know if the expense was justified.

Since then, I was able to find a good deal on the Nikon 180 2.8 AF ED for my D90,
and now I know the advantages of the DA* 200 - smaller/lighter than a Tamron
or Sigma 70-200 2.8, super sharp - a great candid shooter that is much easier to
lug about than a 70-200 2.8.

It's strange to say "I like the DA* 200 because I have a Nikon 180 2.8", but
buying the latter has made me totally *get* the former.

Below are shots from the Nikon 180 on a D90 - I know this is weird to do, but I'm
certain that the DA 200 on K20D would do as well or even better - probably
better, from what I've see on pbase and elsewhere.

So - here are the types of shots you'd be able to easily get with the DA* 200:











If you notice the PF on the 'girl in swing' shot - that's the achilles heel of the
Nikon 180 2.8. I think the DA* would do much better there.





.

[bwield]

And I suppose on that the da* 200mm has some good competition in the Sigma 180 3.5 Macro which by all accounts is a good performer as well.

[jsherman999]

And I suppose on that the da* 200mm has some good competition in the Sigma 180 3.5 Macro which by all accounts is a good performer as well.

Maybe, but I've heard bad & good about that lens - I've heard "great for macro, but infinity.... not so much."

I do think the DA* 200 is pinched on all sides by other lenses, zooms and primes - it fills a niche nicely, it's just that it's a small niche.

I will say this to Buddha - get out and use that lens more, and then you'll start to appreciate it - walking around NY sounds like a perfect time to do some 'long' street shooting.


.

[apemen]

I have it,
unfortunately I had chance to use it only a few times.

I think it is great for candid.
F2.8


It succeed to get very well bird images even







How about some landscape : )
There is PP obviously



There is noticeable purple fringing though, especially wide open.

I think it is very promising, I have 2 weeks vacation ahead of me and
I intend to use it to see it's capabilities.

I hope i will have the chance and share it in here.

[creampuff]

There is noticeable purple fringing though, especially wide open.

Hmmm, the copy I tried doesn't have this issue.
I find this lens focuses quicker than the DA* 50-135mm and DA* 300mm.
It is good wide open and images that I've taken with it are razor sharp.
Perfect for shooting candids, concerts and can even do decent close-ups of fairly large insects.
Barely long enough for birding but for general and low light shooting it is great because it isn't too heavy, yet well balanced and easy enough to handhold.

[eyou]

pictures like these are starting to really draw me into using long telephoto lenses for portraiture. i just LOVE the dramatic separation between the subject and background, and how it blows up the background a lot (especially bokeh circles). it's different from a small DOF from a 50mm and seems very appealing to me.

Strobist blogspot was showing shots from dustin diaz, who also uses nikon. a lot of his pictures are from a nikon 200mm f2 lenses which are just insane. he is using a FF camera tho..... (which makes me want a FF more. for that insane DOF)

i put some of his pictures below to show what i mean. once again these are NOT mine. and they are not DA*....

[Venturi]

I'm consistently impressed by the consistent quality of the images posted from the DA*200. It's on my short list - I can't decide whether I want it or the Tam28-75 first... *sigh*

[blende8]

I'm consistently impressed by the consistent quality of the images posted from the DA*200.

I'm consistently impressed by the consistent quality of the images I get from the DA*200.
I would say, it's a must-have.

[apemen]

and for those who is keen on bird shooting may consider that
-135mm + 200mm + 400mm (on the roadmap)
would be a better kit than
-135mm + 300mm,
money aside

[Blue]

And I suppose on that the da* 200mm has some good competition in the Sigma 180 3.5 Macro which by all accounts is a good performer as well.

The fact that the Sigma 180mm is actually a macro makes it a different beast however.

[K McCall]

I have the DA* 200, and I have no complaints except the weight. I realize that in the grand scheme of things, it isn't a heavy lens, but compared to my other lenses, it's the heaviest.

But I find myself in plenty of situations where I wish I HAD brought it out with me. The times I do take it out, it performs admirably.

I don't take a lot of portraits in general, but I've enjoyed the few times I've used it for my self-portrait project:


#326 of 365: Never Going Back Again on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I generally stick more to nature subjects, and I find it performs well there as well:


Rainy Day Red Leaves #5 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!


Froggy Froggy Frog Frog on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I find it sharp and contrasty even wide-open:


Underwater on Flickr - Photo Sharing!