Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF ED: who's using one?

[Lani]

In my never ending quest for more reach, I am considering the 300mm f4, to use in conjunction with my kenko 1.4 t/c. From what I have read its IQ is very good even with the t/c.
Just wondering if anyone has one, I see Rick has, and how you find it.
I would like to use it for birds and sport, so I am a bit concerned that with the t/c, it may be too slow?

[jim]

I use an older version of this lens, all my bird pictures are taken with it. IQ is superb and I doubt that the new version will be any less. Yes a bit slow with a TC, and too short without one, but a pretty good value lens anyway.

[ricktas]

Me. Great lens, that I dont use often enough.

I have used mine with a 2 x tc (had to manually focus), these were taken with the 300 f4 with the 2 x tc: http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?t=16514

[arthurking83]

Been thinking of doing the same Lani ... to replace my 300/2.8

I've read lots about it, and it;s one of Nikon's finest if not for the weak tripod collar. And don't let anyone tell you differently... it's very bad(tripod collar)

It's one of Nikon's worst collar designs for various reasons, and not something that you may necessarily come across(affects IQ at low shutter speeds).. and I think there are a few aftermarket replacement collars if it ever becomes an issue.

IQ is one of the best 300mm's you can get.
It works well with good quality closeup lenses(diopter) too ... the favoured one being the Canon D500(or is it 500D??).

As for being happy with getting one.. you sure will be(unless there's something wrong with the one you get).
Great bit of lens, and far more compact than a 300/2.8 :p

I've stopped looking because 3 months ago, when I had some money to get one, they could be had for approx $1100-1300 from the US or HK.. and now they're approximately $1700 :(
(who knew?)

[kiwi]

I used to have one couple years back, sharp as a tack and fast AF

One of Nikon's most under-hyped lenses I'd say

[Lani]

Thanks for that guys, my research sounded promising but its always good to hear from the horse's mouth, so to speak. :D
Now it's just a bugger about the price rise, as you say AK, but it still may be worth getting one before they go up again. :rolleyes:

Hey Rick, if yours is feeling unappreciated, well.... you know how it goes, Lonni is a nice place for a lens to live! :D
Thanks Jim and Darren, from what I have read the optics of the old one and the new are pretty similar, which sounds like a good thing. It was just the AF + t/c which concerned me a tad.

[I @ M]

I usually give the reviews here (http://www.bythom.com/300AFSlens.htm) a bit of respect. :)

[BLWNHR]

I always give a lot of weight to PhotoZone reviews. I've bought 3 lenses based on reviews here and they haven't been wrong.

Nikkor 300mm f/4 @ PhotoZone (http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/228-nikkor-af-s-300mm-f4d-if-ed-review--test-report)

[Lani]

Thanks Andrew and Adam, :th3:
doesn't seem to be much in those reviews to turn me off it. :eek: better start counting my Xmas money. hehe

[ricktas]

Hey Rick, if yours is feeling unappreciated, well.... you know how it goes, Lonni is a nice place for a lens to live! :D
.

It might love to live in Launnie, but unfortunately it has no choice in the matter.

[Jordan Compte]

I've been looking to purchase one of these bad boys, but is it just me or is it extremely hard to get one?

[ricktas]

They are hard to get, took me months to get mine, seems they dont have a lot in Aus. Most dealers order them in specially.

[Jordan Compte]

Pretty much what I'm saving for now is the following
300mm f/4
105mm maccoooo
10.5 fisheye
possibly a 20mm wide angle
d300
water housing

Left school now just working as much as I can to get money for good gear!

[gw.toad]

I have the previous model AF NIKKOR 300MM F4 ED This one auto focus's with the kenko x2 teleconverter. i take a lot of my surfing shots with it on the d300.

[kurra]

I know this thread is a little old, but I thought this might be helpful for someone considering buying this lens. I have just purchased the newer AF-S version and I love it. I have only had it for 2 days and have mainly concentrated on macro work, but I think this one is going to be a favourite. I especially like the greater distance between my subject and myself as I find I'm not doing as much chasing. Not a simple thing to do using a tripod. Also the manual override switch makes it so much easier to switch between auto and manual. I'm not sure how good it would be in sports situations but for close ups, it does a great job. I intend to use it with extention tubes, (for macro) as well as a teleconverter for birds, regards Kim.

[MajorPanic]

It's an excellent lens, razor sharp, quick AF.

http://www.pix.majorpanic.com/images/BB/Frogmouths.jpg

[kurra]

A well captured image of the frogmouths with this lens. Thanks for sharing, regards Kim.

[flashpixx]

Resurrecting this thread as I'm interested in this lens. I've tried to source one to hire from the local stores but none have it available.

I'm 90% committed to purchasing one, my only concern is focus speed. Main application will be mounted on a d300 +/- Nikon 1.4x TC shooting road racing motorbikes. Recently tested the new 2x TC from Nikon with my 70-200 VR1. While IQ was good, it was slow to acquire initial focus.

Does anyone have any motorsport or sports specific experience with this lens that will either allay my concerns or not...

Thanks

[flashpixx]

pulled the trigger and bought one used but as new for 60% of new price. Figure if it isn't what I am looking for I can sell it again and not lose anything.

Should be here soon, have a shoot on Sunday so can report back on how it goes for motorsport (motocross).

[flashpixx]

It's here, now for some daylight...

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood/image/127125930/original.jpg

[Lani]

Congrats, Gordon, I am sure you will like it...look forward to seeing some pics...be interested to see how it goes with the Nikon 1.4 tc.

[flashpixx]

Thanks Lani. I need some light! Its dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home :(

I'll see if I can sneak away at lunch time on Friday.

We have a moto-x shoot on Sunday, but I've not been to the track before. Will be a bright sunny day so that won't be an issue. Hope to try it out with the Nikon 1.4TC as that is what I mainly want it for....

[Lance B]

Hi Gordon,

Yes, I am here on this forum as well as you. ;) Looks like a good forum for meeting up with people locally, rather than DP Review etc where most people are OS.

Anyway, just stumbled across this thread and thought I would post one of the very few images I have with the AFS300 f4 and 1.4x TCII:

http://www.pbase.com/lance_b/image/125273145/original.jpg

[Keza]

I use one with the NIkon 1.4tc for surfing, I shoot at f8 and I have no problems with the IQ the only problem I have s user error, have to use the tripod more as it gets heavy on the d700

[flashpixx]

Finally got to try it out, in the backyard. Seems quite sharp. Thanks for looking.

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood/image/127433771/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood/image/127433770/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood/image/127433769/original.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/gordonhaywood/image/127433768/original.jpg

[Xebadir]

Hows the 300 F4 in terms of size and weight relative to say a 70-300 VR? Don't really want something as heavy as a 300 F2.8 or above (nor as lightening on the wallet). Reason I ask is if I ever go to the 70-200 I might want to let go of the 70-300 and instead grab the F4.