1968 Nikkor-P 300m Prime f/4.5

[AVALANCHE]

I found the other day a near-mint condition Nikkor-P 300m Prime with the original leather casing and metal lens cap. No mould or anything else like that!

It is a heavy lens! Even for me. It is all metal and glass so hand holding it quickly became a task.

I cannot believe for a lens that is 50+ years old how great the quality is; it is tack sharp to me and the bokeh is very smooth and blends seemlessly.

I took some quick snaps with it of some birds in the backyard, I will add more photos as I get around to using it!

The third image of the crop is at 100% at f/4.5 with no post processing done at all! The first two images have their levels adjusted and that's it.

Given the age it is all manual, which doesn't concern me personally but may others.

Overall, a superb lens!

Shot a f/8;

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7183/00101x.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7379/00302.jpg

100% crop at f/4.5, no PP done;

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8445/003022.jpg

[Rattus79]

That's pretty bloody sharp man! Old glass is good glass!

Ps, what do you call those birds, We have a pair of them nesting next door to us. They're not the sharpest tools in the shed though. I've seen them fall off the branch a few times now, and one keeps banging into our window. I've closed the curtain there now, and that seems to have done the trick, but I did enjoy watching him fall though! :D

[AVALANCHE]

Not sure to be honest haha.

[Cage]

Good find.

And they are Spotted Turtle Doves, a feral import.

[AVALANCHE]

Cheers.

Took a shot of the moon a few minutes ago, handheld (too lazy to get tripod out of the car).

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6727/00103.jpg

100% crop.

[Rattus79]

Good find.

And they are Spotted Turtle Doves, a feral import.

I will go and open my blinds again in that case!! I thought they were a native!

[wheellathe]

Sad looking photos mate, sad lens, tell you you what I'll dispose of it for you. No charge. lol

[mongo]

Mongo owned the ED model of this lens for many year as his long lens. Much lighter than the P model, very sharp and great with converters. Mongo oftens used it as a 600mm with unbelievable result. Only sold it because he bought its bigger brother, a nikkor 400 mm f5.6 ED which is also manual and even sharper but only weights 1.25kgs. These lenses are around 25 years old in design . Mongo often writes about oldies but goodies lenses and encourages others to look at these seriously as they can often be exceptional and at give away prices.

[AVALANCHE]

Got to spend some time shooting today, here are some more. I followed my dog around for awhile today, followed by some birds at the lake.

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/7008/00102j.jpg

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/6140/00201u.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/6500/00501m.jpg

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/4738/007xm.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/469/00401a.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/5959/009ero.jpg

http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/9264/010eho.jpg



I am very impressed by the quality...given I was almost about to spend quite a bit on a newer model zoom lens...yet this one was only $250.

[mongo]

these are even more impressive - darn good lens !

[Rattus79]

Yep, that bokeh is so smooth you could make Ice Cream out of it! :D