Zoom-Nikkor AI-S 50-300mm f/4.5 ED

[Sar NOP]

I'd been looking for this legendary old timer zoom for a while, but couldn't find a good copy with a reasonable price.
Two weeks ago, I finally managed to pick up a collectable copy !


#1
http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/6585/7kb6499resize2.jpg


#2
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2428/7kb6513resize2.jpg


The focal range of this zoom-lens is for me ideal for travelling with one single lens and for nature and wildlife photography.
All my MF Nikon lenses are superb on digital sensor, especially on my D2X. This 50-300mm AI-S is just another great lens to work with my DSLR.
So far, I mainly use it with my D7000 and the results are simply fantastic for an 30 years old zoom !

Here are some of my first test shots :

#3 : D7000, @300mm, wide open.
http://img862.imageshack.us/img862/3852/7kb6707resize2.jpg


Crop 100% head
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/206/7kb6707crop100tete.jpg


Crop 100% feathers
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/425/7kb6707crop100plume.jpg

[Sar NOP]

#4 : D7000, @300mm, f/5.6
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2047/7kb6652resize2.jpg


Crop 100%
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/3646/7kb6652crop100.jpg

[Sar NOP]

#5 : D7000 + Kenko 2x, @600mm, wide open.
http://img848.imageshack.us/img848/6117/7kb6761resize2.jpg


Crop 50%
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/759/7kb6761crop50.jpg

[Sar NOP]

"Vivid Sydney" from last night :

#6 : D7000, 1/6", f/5.6, @2500 ISO.
http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/3914/7kb7076resize2.jpg



#7
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6380/7kb7075resize2.jpg


#8
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/6205/7kb7073resize2.jpg

[arthurking83]

Nice one Sar.

I've also been looking for one for what seems like an eternity now, but as with your criteria, it has to be for a reasonable price!

I've seen some lower priced copies, mainly non Ai lenses Ai'ed, or otherwise with dings and knocks.

[Sar NOP]

I've seen some lower priced copies, mainly non Ai lenses Ai'ed, or otherwise with dings and knocks.

According to Bjorn Rorslett, the AI-S ED version is optically the best and the lightest too. He mentioned that heavy dings and knocks on the front of the lens barrel could easily cause misalignment of the lens.

[arthurking83]

...... He mentioned that heavy dings and knocks on the front of the lens barrel could easily cause misalignment of the lens.

Yep! that's why I passed on a few of them too.

I do kick myself for not going for an 'immaculate' copy up for sale a while back(in Photographic Trader).. but in the end I lived :D

Good to see your images backing up Bjorn's comments about this lens too :th3:


One day I'll definitely end up with one of these lenses, that much I'm sure of. It's just a low priority ATM.

[peterb666]

Excellent photos - what a great lens.

[PH005]

Nice find and great results so far. Love the detail in the blue feathers crop. Very sharp. :th3:

[mongo]

Darn nice piece of glass and beautifully built older lens. Mongo too like yourself and Arthur had been looking at one of these for some years but have never seen one good enough condition that Mongo would buy it . The odd one that might be was too expensive for what was. Glad a good one has fallen into your hands. The Ai and Ai-s are identical in make up ( 1ED element) but the Ai-s is 350 grams lighter. Its portability and optical range is excellent for a travel lens ( with the odd converter in your pocket). The results you have shown us are truly excellent. Mongo is starting to think that you and Mongo are the only ones who love the old time Nikkor lenses and sometimes ( in certain circumstances) use them in preference to their more modern counterparts. It would be nice to see some more examples when you have them. Congrats on this fine purchase and giving this lens a good home.

PS- The Ai-s was made from 1982 to 1999. Less than 7000 Ai-s models were ever made. Ai-s models start at serial No 183001 and end at 189904. From your serial number, your was one of the first made in probably about 1984

[Sar NOP]

Thanks mongo for informations about the lens. I'm wondering how one can keep a zoom-lens like brand new for nearly 30 years !?!

Here's are some more examples for mongo :

#9 : at long distance and high ISO, the resolution of the lens still is amazing.
http://img806.imageshack.us/img806/9270/7kb7091resize2.jpg

Crop 100%
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9665/7kb7091crop100.jpg

[Sar NOP]

#10 : From yesterday, under the rain ! Crop 50%
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2471/7kb7191resize2.jpg



#11
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1198/7kb7177resize2a.jpg

[Sar NOP]

And a crop 100% of the #6 :

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/949/7kb7076crop100.jpg

[Lance B]

Wow!!! These are amazing images, Sar. The lens IQ is superb and especially considering it an old lens.

Congrats on the lens and on the excellent images!

[mongo]

Thanks mongo for informations about the lens. I'm wondering how one can keep a zoom-lens like brand new for nearly 30 years !?!

Answer - they love it and care for it by using it without abusing it.

can't get over the resolution of #9 in those conditions ! Mongo assumes you used the D7000 for high ISO. Also the 100% crop of the opera house (last image) is also very telling of the high grade resolution this lens is clearly capable of. Mongo must also say that he was not certain how a zoom like this would handle a converter. As you know, Mongo is not over thrilled with the performance of the 200-400 with converters over X1.4. However, your new lens seems to react quite nicely to a Kenko converter.

Mongo should think you are very happy your 50-300mm.

[Sar NOP]

can't get over the resolution of #9 in those conditions ! Mongo assumes you used the D7000 for high ISO.


Yes mongo, to test this zoom-lens I used my D7000 for its high resolution sensor and its high ISO capabilities.





Mongo must also say that he was not certain how a zoom like this would handle a converter. As you know, Mongo is not over thrilled with the performance of the 200-400 with converters over X1.4. However, your new lens seems to react quite nicely to a Kenko converter.


The only time I mounted a Kenko 2x converter on this 50-300mm, in a quite poor shooting condition, I was indeed really surprised to see how well this zoom handled the TC at wide open.


Another example with a 2x converter (this image was taken from Luna Park) :

D7000 + Kenko 2x, 1/125", @600mm, wide open, 800 ISO.
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/8751/7kb6764resize2.jpg


Crop 100%
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3350/7kb6764crop100.jpg

[mongo]

.....Another example with a 2x converter (this image was taken from Luna Park) :

D7000 + Kenko 2x, 1/125", @600mm, wide open, 800 ISO.

from Luna Park ! ....2X converter ! .......zoom lens ! .......30 years old !..........Bl**dy Hell - that's amazing .....!!!!!!

Mongo notices that you use the Kenko and not the 20EIII - is the Kenko better on this lens ? Mongo was curious whether a Kenko would work better on his 300 f2.8 than the 20EIII (which works reasonably well anyway)

[Sar NOP]

Mongo notices that you use the Kenko and not the 20EIII - is the Kenko better on this lens ? Mongo was curious whether a Kenko would work better on his 300 f2.8 than the 20EIII (which works reasonably well anyway)
The new Nikon TCs (E series) cannot mount on the old AI-S lenses. That's why I use the Kenko 2x on my AI-S lenses. I also have the old Nikon TC-200, but it's not as good as Kenko.
Optically, the Kenko 2x is nearly as good as the TC-20EIII. But the Nikon focuses faster and is much more accurate because the Kenko is 2/3 stop slower than the Nikon.

[N*A*M]

i am in awe!

i am so glad the f-mount still keeps these classic gems available for future generations to enjoy

[ving]

thats a lovely sharp lens sar. congrats on the purchase.

[mongo]

The new Nikon TCs (E series) cannot mount on the old AI-S lenses.

Sar, Mongo has modified his 14EII and 20EIII to fit any Nikon lens. Mongo was surprised you have not modified yours. It only takes about half an hour each and you could not even tell where Mongo had performed the surgery. Mongo is happy for you to look at his and use them if you like. Then, if you want to modify yours, Mongo is happy to help you with that. Being able to use these converters on Ai and AI-s lenses may give you a lot more options.

PS - MOngo also has a newly acquired "Vivitar X2 Macro Focusing Converter" (from the 1970's) he would like your opinion on. It can only be used on Ai and AI-s lenses.

[mongo]

One more thing Sar, - are you saying that the Kenko X2 converter is not 2 stops slower (like the Nikon 20EIII) but in fact 2 and 2/3rds stop slower ???

[Sar NOP]

Sar, Mongo has modified his 14EII and 20EIII to fit any Nikon lens. Mongo was surprised you have not modified yours. It only takes about half an hour each and you could not even tell where Mongo had performed the surgery. Mongo is happy for you to look at his and use them if you like. Then, if you want to modify yours, Mongo is happy to help you with that. Being able to use these converters on Ai and AI-s lenses may give you a lot more options.


http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/5499/7kb7511resize2.jpg

Mongo, as you can see on the image above my AI-S lenses physically cannot be mounted on the Nikon TC serie Exx because the lens elements touch eachother.
I'm wondering how Mongo can modify the Nikon TC to fit for example this 50-300 !?!




One more thing Sar, - are you saying that the Kenko X2 converter is not 2 stops slower (like the Nikon 20EIII) but in fact 2 and 2/3rds stop slower ???
Yes, the Kenko is 2/3 rd stop slower than the 20E3.
I always shoot in manual mode and when I use these two TC on my 600 for example to photograph the same scene, under the same lighting conditions, the pictures shot with the Kenko are 2/3 EV darker than those taken with the Nikon. That's why the AF performances are so different between these TCs on my 200-400.

[mongo]

Thanks for the feedback and information Sar.

From the configuration of your 50-300mm, the AF-S converters cannot be modified to fit but only because of the protruding rear elements of the lens. Most other AI-s lenses that do not have his protruding element would not be a problem.

For example, Mongo’s 300mm f2.8 AI-s, like many other long Ai-s lenses, does not have a protruding rear element. Mongo’s 400mm f5.6 AI-s does not either . From memory, neither do the 600mm f5.6 AI-s and 400mm f3.5 AI-s lenses. So, all of these could use the MODIFIED AF-S converters and mongo uses them already on his 300mm and 400mm AI-s lenses. That conversion is simple and is commonly done to be able to use the newer converters on the older lenses. That was the conversion Mongo was referring to. (See the attached image for quick details). Mongo has developed a clean and foolproof way of doing this.

It is now obvious that the conversion Mongo has in mind will not help you with the 50-300mm but it may allow you to use the new converters on other older lenses you may have that do not have a protruding rear element. Of course, care should be taken to ensure that there is sufficient distance between the converter element and the rear lens element each time depending on which lens it is to be mounted on. Sorry if Mongo’s initial comments may have given you false hope – that was not Mongo’s intention. So, if it still interests you, Mongo is still happy to help.

Regards
Mongo

[Sar NOP]

Thanks mongo for all these informations and your help.
For the moment, the modification still won't allow me to use them on my 50-300. But when one day I get the 400/2.8 AI-S, I will certainly need your help to remove this lug on my AF-S TCs.

[Sar NOP]

Some more images from last Monday :

D2X (Crop Mode 2x), handheld

1280x850px (http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/7858/2xb5205resize3.jpg)
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3228/2xb5205resize2.jpg




1280x850px (http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5364/2xb5234resize3.jpg)
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/1148/2xb5234resize2.jpg




1280x850px (http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/4762/2xb5239resize3.jpg)
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/2149/2xb5239resize2.jpg

[mongo]

#2 and particularly #3 are amazing examples of this lens' capabilities. Very impressive indeed.

[Sar NOP]

Yes Mongo, this old timer Zoom-Nikkor is really impressive : its optical quality, my copy at least, is as good as my 200-400 VRI !!!
Yesterday afternoon, I used it with my Kenko 2x for birding at Long Reef for the first : the results were fantastic !
Here are some shots, all MF and handheld :

D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/766/cb70135resize3.jpg)
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9453/cb70135resize2.jpg


D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/234/cb70141resize3.jpg)
http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5274/cb70141resize2.jpg


D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/9135/cb70148resize3.jpg)
http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/3585/cb70148resize2.jpg


D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/5935/cb70155resize3.jpg)
http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/6360/cb70155resize2.jpg


D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/6515/cb70278resize3.jpg)
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/3779/cb70278resize2.jpg



D2Hs, @600mm
1280x850px (http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/513/cb70294resize3.jpg)
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/7231/cb70294resize2.jpg

[mongo]

Mongo must say Sar - this lens continues to impress and amaze; particularly #1,3 and 6. It is rare that a zoom performs this well through a converter – let alone a X2 converter. These are excellent shots.

If Mongo had not just purchased his 300mm, he would be out looking for a 50-300. The weight and size difference is minimal . The 300mm weighs 2.4kg while the 50-300 weighs 2.2kg(Ai) and almost 2kgs(AIs). Mongo would like to try it one day.

Mongo notices you still use the D2Hs quite a bit even thought you have a new D7000. If you have time, it would be nice to know it what circumstances you use one camera body in preference to the other.

[Sar NOP]

Yes Mongo can try this 50-300 one day when we get together again.

I still love my D2Hs. I use it when I need better colours accuracy, better Auto WB and high speed frame rate/buffer capacity.