Help with Nikon 200mm macro

I worked with one all weekend, and have a chance to buy it.
Sure had trouble! Anyone else with this lens? Not sure if this is a bad lens, or if this is "normal".

1. AF rarely worked. Was within focal distance, and turned to AF. Often, nothing happened when i used the shutter release to focus

2. When it did work, hunted forever, even in limited distance
3. Extremely noisy AF motor!
4. In manual, extremely shallow DOF, so I rarely got anything in focus even in manual setting

Anyone with any ideas?

Thanks -

Sandy

Hmmmm... I use the old 70-180mm macro. It works perfectly. You might want to check one out.

Sandy,

Since the AF doesn't appear to be working properly and the AF motor is noisy, this doesn't sound normal. I'd look for another lens.

--P

If you can use this lens with the autofocus turned off and get what you want from it, it is worth something, but don't pay too much for it. I have an older manual version (AIS) that performs very well at f11-16. When you are looking for hyper-sharp detail in close-ups, you may be better off with manual focus anyway. I cannot say for sure what you need.

My ancient manual focus 20/4 Nikkor still works fine on my D200. Is the one you used an AF-S or a "screw driver" type of AF lens? If you are only used to AF-S motors then you will find any of the old AF lenses that rely on the motor in the camera to focus to be noisy.

DOF will always be limited with any macro lens. Even stopped way down (note that most true macro lenses go to f/32 for a reason) you won't get much DOF. So, find "flat" subjects (like resting dragonflies) and keep them parallel to the back of the camera, or use a closely mounted flash so you can stop down to f/16-f/32.

I haven't used the AF version, but am well acquainted with the older manual versions. I can contribute this, though:

DOF with a 200 macro is extremely shallow!!!! I've never messed with AF because I have my doubts about how well I could manage such shallow DOF in AF. One thing my 200 has taught me- I'm very aware of the shallowest "depth" of my subjects, and I adjust my shooting position religiously so I'm not shooting along the subject's long axis. Hope that's clear, because it's important at all times, and especially as you increase the aperture.

My overall reaction? My 105 lives in my camera bag and is embarrassingly beat up, while the 200 is still pristine in the camera safe. And I bought them at the same time!

I don't have a 200, but I'm with Hank on the 105. I use mine all the time.

Thanks for the ideas everyone.
Hank and Walt - I have and love my 105mm, and use it often. But, as I said, I need a much longer working distance for bugs and dragonflies.
Sandy

Hey Sandy-

I recall hearing rave reviews for some brand of 180mm AF macro. I don't recall the details other than it was either Sigma or Tamron. Anyone solve the riddle I've posed?

Sandy, I have the 200 AF Micro and have used it for about 12 or 13 years. It will autofocus but it is slow and I find that autofocus is not really useful for the type of macro photography that I do. The working distance is excellent and it goes to 1:1 with about 20 inches of working distance. It is also great because it has a much narrower angle of view than shorter focal lengths. One thing you will want to check. The manual to autofocus ring has a tendency to break at the point where one of the screws attaches it to the lens. It is really a design flaw but Nikon hasn't ever admitted it. I had to have mine replaced within the first two or three years of getting it. If it is bad you can see what appears as a hairline crack on one or both sides of the ring adjacent to the screw. If you have other questions about this lens feel free to let me know. I have other macros but this is my most used one. Hope this helps.

Ditto what Bill said. I've never had the AF switch on mine fixed, and it often gets stuck between MF and AF, and though the AF motor turns, the lens doesn't focus. If you read this, Bill, how much did Nikon charge you to fix the broken ring?

Peter, they charged me $200 about 8 or 9 years ago.

Bill Stice pretty much said it all. I have this lens and it is my favorite for macro. Autofocus is just annoying in macro, so I always use the lens in manual. To use autofocus with this lens you need to move the (probably cracked) external ring to A and engage something internally by moving the focus ring until it "locks." In some cases that internal something is not engaged and the lens will not autofocus. All those quirks aside, this is a very sharp macro lens and I love that it has a tripod collar.

Pete D.

Sandy, if it can be had cheap go for it. I shoot with a 200mm f4 macro (another brand) constantly but NEVER use the AF. With the narrow depth of field I find it faster to determine focus myself. i LOVE the space that the lens affords me when shooting butterflies especially. I own a 100mm f2.8 macro as well. Rarely use it.