Nikon 200mm f/5.6 Medical-NIKKOR.C Auto Manual Focus Lens

A 200mm macro built for exact, repeatable close-up work

The Medical-NIKKOR 200mm f/5.6 is a manual focus lens designed around one job: precise, consistent close-up reproduction. Its fixed 200mm focal length keeps working distance long enough to shoot small subjects without crowding them, an advantage anyone who has fought a shorter macro lens for room to work will recognize immediately.

The f/5.6 maximum aperture reflects its purpose. This is not a lens chasing shallow depth of field for effect. It's built for controlled, even illumination and dependable focus at close range, where depth of field and consistency matter more than a fast aperture. Manual focus operation puts the photographer in direct control of exact framing, critical when working at reproduction ratios where autofocus hunting costs you the shot.

Originally built for clinical and scientific documentation, this lens has found a second life wherever repeatable, distortion-controlled macro work is the priority. The 200mm length compresses backgrounds cleanly and keeps the lens itself out of the light path, a real benefit when you're lighting a small subject from multiple angles.

A lens like this rewards patience and precision over speed. If your work depends on getting close-up detail right every time, it's built for exactly that.

Who It's For

Dermatologists and clinical photographers documenting skin conditions or surgical sites benefit from the 200mm focal length, which allows shooting close-up detail from a comfortable, non-intrusive distance. Museum and archival photographers digitizing small artifacts or specimens gain from the manual focus precision needed to nail exact focus at macro distances. Product and scientific photographers working in a studio setup will appreciate the f/5.6 aperture's role in maintaining even depth of field across flat or dimensional small subjects. Insect and botanical macro shooters who prioritize consistent, repeatable framing over autofocus speed will find the manual control suited to methodical, tripod-based work.

Key Features

• 200mm fixed focal length for extended working distance
• f/5.6 maximum aperture for controlled illumination
• Manual focus operation for precise framing control
• Designed for macro and close-up reproduction work
• Minimal lens barrel obstruction in multi-angle lighting setups
• Purpose-built for clinical and scientific documentation

FAQ

What's the working distance at close focus?

The 200mm focal length gives you significant working space between the front of the lens and your subject, essential for lighting setups and avoiding casting shadows on small subjects during clinical or macro work.

Is this lens autofocus?

No. The Medical-NIKKOR.C is manual focus only, putting you in direct control of exact framing at close range where autofocus hunting can miss critical focus planes.

What aperture does it shoot at?

f/5.6 maximum. The fixed aperture is designed for controlled illumination and consistent depth of field in close-up work rather than shallow depth of field effects.

What mount does this lens use?

Mount type is not specified in available documentation. Verify compatibility with your camera body before purchasing.

Why would I use a 200mm macro instead of a shorter macro lens?

The 200mm length keeps the lens body out of your light path when working from multiple angles, and the longer working distance means you're not crowding your subject-a critical advantage in scientific or clinical documentation where repeatability matters.

Is this lens suitable for handheld shooting?

Manual focus at close range demands a solid support or tripod for repeatable sharp focus. This lens is purpose-built for controlled studio or documentation setups, not handheld macro work.

What's the reproduction ratio or minimum focus distance?

Specific magnification and minimum focus distance are not detailed in available specifications. Contact KEH for exact close-focus performance data.