Nikon · Nikon F (AI / AI-S) · 1981–1996
Teruyoshi Tsunashima spent three years and four complete designs on this lens. His notes said he wanted a 200mm f/4 smaller than any rival's without expensive ED glass, and the result, released in 1976, has a telephoto ratio of 0.8, against about 1.0 for the Nikkor Auto it replaced. It became AI in 1977 and AI-S in late 1981 with the same optics, and Roland Vink's records run to 1996. When a Nikon designer tested it on a Z 7 with the FTZ adapter, he found high resolution to the edges, a faint magenta fringe wide open, and the best results at f/8. It weighs about 510 g, has a built-in hood and takes 52mm filters. On APS-C it frames like a 300mm. Its 5-element layout is the same basic type Nikon used in the 180mm f/2.8 ED.
On a mirrorless camera
It’s a Nikon F (AI / AI-S) lens, and its mount sits 46.5 mm from the film. Every mirrorless mount below sits closer than that, so a plain adapter ring fills the gap and the lens still focuses to infinity. On a smaller sensor it frames tighter, like a longer lens.
Versions
The same optics run from the 1976 New Nikkor through the 1977 AI to the AI-S of late 1981, so an AI and an AI-S image the same. The earlier Nikkor-Q Auto 200mm f/4 is an older 4-element design that's longer and heavier. The 200mm f/4 Micro-Nikkor is a different, close-focusing lens.
Haze, fungus and oily aperture blades are the common age faults. Check that the built-in hood slides freely and that the long focus travel feels even all the way.
New to old glass? How to check a used vintage lens covers haze, fungus and the rest in detail.
Buying guide
We'd buy the copy titled works perfectly and graded MINT at $125 delivered, inside the band, or the Japan dealer's Exc+5 at $65 if you'll judge the glass from photos yourself. There are at least 55 for sale and most ask $100–160 delivered, mostly from Japan dealers, while US sellers here ask $85 and $99 for copies with no condition claim and up to $233 for a graded one. The AI and AI-S share the same optics, and an orange f/32 on both aperture scales marks the AI-S, so pick by condition. Ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8, slide the built-in hood and run the long focus travel on arrival, and skip the 96% seller and the $233 US copy at about 1.8 times the median. It needs a Nikon F adapter, and Nikon's FTZ works with it on a Z body; the model page lists the adapters by camera.
![[Exc+5] Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 200mm F4 AIS MF Telephoto Lens For F Mount From JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/5L8AAeSwMXRqqKxO/s-l500.jpg)
$64.99est. delivered
The lowest delivered lens here, graded Exc+5 by a 100% Japan dealer with caps in the photo, at $65 delivered, half the median. A grade isn't a test, so ask for a flashlight photo through the back and one of the blades at f/8.
[Exc+5] Nikon Ai-S Nikkor 200mm F4 AIS MF Telephoto Lens For F Mount From JAPAN
![Works Perfectly[MINT]Nikon Ais Ai-s Nikkor 200mm f/4 MF Telephoto Lens JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/tGUAAOSwUMpnX6in/s-l500.jpg)
$124.99est. delivered
Titled works perfectly and graded MINT, at $125 delivered with Best Offer from a 99.9% dealer, under the $130 median. Ask how it was checked and for a photo with the built-in hood pulled out.
Works Perfectly[MINT]Nikon Ais Ai-s Nikkor 200mm f/4 MF Telephoto Lens JAPAN
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 14, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$64.99est. delivered
$54.99 + $10.00 shipping
Buy It Now$54.99
Good buy
Exc+5 by the dealer's grade. Caps in the photo.
Seller: sakura_photograph_japan
100% positive
Used$124.99est. delivered
$95.00 + $29.99 shipping
Buy It Now$95.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled works perfectly. MINT is the dealer's grade.
Seller: japan_delight_shop
99.9% positive
Used$84.95delivered
$84.95 · free shipping
Buy It Now$84.95
Our take
US seller, free shipping. No condition claim in the title.
Seller: dpaspal1
100% positive
Used$98.59est. delivered
$90.00 + $8.59 shipping
Buy It Now$90.00
Our take
US seller. No condition claim in the title.
Seller: photo_bazaar
99.9% positive
![[Exc+5] Nikon Ai-s Ais Nikkor 200mm f/4 MF Telephoto Lens from JAPAN](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/pR0AAeSw7PFp0amx/s-l500.jpg)
Used$124.49est. delivered
$84.99 + $39.50 shipping
Buy It Now$84.99
Our take
Exc+5 by the dealer's grade. Caps and a filter in the photo.
Seller: takakor0
100% positive
![Nikon Ai-s Nikkor 200mm f/4 Manual Focus Lens From JAPAN [Near MINT]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/8P0AAeSwfmNodQc0/s-l500.jpg)
Used$133.00delivered
$133.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$133.00
Our take
Near MINT by the dealer's grade. Filter in the photo, free shipping.
Seller: nozomiworks
100% positive
![[N MINT] Ais Nikon NIKKOR 200mm F4 NIKON MF Lens From Japan #22339](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/76AAAOSwl9Zi7ljr/s-l500.jpg)
Used$119.98est. delivered
$89.99 + $29.99 shipping
Buy It Now$89.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Seller feedback is 96%. N MINT by the seller's grade.
Seller: kunishi_61
96% positive
![Nikon Nikkor 200mm f4 AI-S Manual Focus Telephoto Prime Lens [EXC+]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/sKEAAeSwTFBp3R-a/s-l500.jpg)
Used$232.80est. delivered
$212.95 + $19.85 shipping
Buy It Now$212.95
Priced high
US dealer, EXC+ by its own grade. About 1.8 times the median.
Seller: victorycamera
99.6% positive
Prices change daily. The live eBay search shows everything listed now, including anything new since Oct 14, 2026.
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