AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
This lightweight, compact, fast-focusing telephoto lens for sports, wildlife and action photography is perfect for carrying around during a full day of shooting.
$1,494.95*SRPSRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
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Supplied Accessories
- CL-M2 case
- Front cover
- Rear lens cap
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
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AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED
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Versatile
In the early 90's I considered the prior version of this lens for film. For what-ever reason it was never purchased. I found this fall that my 80-200 2.8 was insufficient for football games on Friday night. Although I considered the 70-210 & 1.4tc-e, I opted for this lens instead. It is very sharp and has the reach I need to isolate subjects on the football field w/o the price of the faster 300 2.8. With the 1.4 mounted I can see no difference optical clarity. The combination is quite useful for other images, as well. Attached is a photo made from my back window. The buck and doe were 200+/- yards away. The image was made with the 300 f4 and 1.4 tc, and has not be retouched.
December 13, 2011
Great Lens, So-So Collar...
Well, I've been meaning tobuy a"pro" lens for a while, and finally pulled the trigger on the Nikkor 300mm f/4 lens.
Now, this is not to say I haven't been getting tremendous results from my Dx lenses (not to mention my older,smaller primes); I've been selling images world-wide for years using them...BUT, I wanted one of those "fast", high-magnification primes anyway...and this one is frighteningly good...sharp, faster than my Dx's, good colors,contrast, and that bokeh...wowser...
Now, I didn't even give the stock lens collar a chance; I just ordered the aftermarket one that everybody recommends right along with the lens.
This lens also seems to allow me to shoot with higher ISOs without too much image quality degradation; 400 and 640 produce exceptionally sharp, noise-free images, even on a heavily-overcast October day. Now, at ISO 800 and up, the colors are a little off at f/4 (wide open), but just one click to f/4.5 seems to clear most of that up, and by the time f/5 rolls around, all is well again. I'll attach a couple of images I just made...extremely heavy overcast, f/400 and 640 range ISOs
October 3, 2011
Great lens for landscape and close up work
Very sharp at all distances, from F4 on, up to F22. Works very well on D3x level sensors. I use it to shoot landscapes from half a mile as well as small wildflowers. Has a very good close focusing distance for the later purposes. Color rendition and contrast seem excellent as well. Focuses very quickly on a D3 level body. Great bokeh. My only gripe is that it doesn't have VR. Nikon, just put VR on this lens and don't change anything else, and you'll have a superstar.
June 23, 2011
Practice with this lens, learning curve!
Warning: This is a Pro lens, you need to practice
before you go out on a job.
This lens is better suited with a tripod unless you
practice.
May 13, 2011
Lovely Piece of Glass
I own a D700, a 14--24mm lens, a 24-70mm lens and a 80-200mm lens. I have been eyeballing this lens for quite a while. I wanted more than a 200mm reach with pro quality glass which can get quite expensive with a Nikon FX sensor.
I read all the 300mm f4 reviews on the web and I was quite impressed with the lens ratings and I was more impressed with this lens' performance with a TC-14II teleconverter which would take me out to 420mm. I was especially impressed with the conclusion from Photozone (reviews that I think are very thorough and balanced) that began "The Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED is one of the few near-flawless lenses tested so far."
First the cons that seem to be common negatives throughout all the reviews. The auto focus speed isn't terribly slow but it isn't terribly fast either. Lack of vibration reduction on a 3 pound lens is something I miss. The tripod mounting foot is usable and not as bad as some reviews would lead you to believe but Kirk makes a better one that I bought (probably more of a psychological need than a practical one).
Now for the pros; image quality, image quality, image quality. This is a sharp, sharp lens. Distortion and aberrations are very well controlled and it is everything that I would expect from pro glass and from a Nikkor in particular.
Convention tells you that with a TC-14II teleconverter there has to be some degradation of image quality but I can't find it. This was a common claim in all the reviews that I read and it is a very accurate claim. I did have my doubts to put it mildly but I was pleasantly surprised; actually pretty amazed.
I rated the lens a 4. Faster auto focus and vibration reduction would make it a 5. However, I do rate the image quality a solid 5 and I rate the overall dollar value of the lens a solid 10 considering the price of it's f2.8 big brother.
I am very happy with this lens. I did buy the TC-14II teleconverter. I now have a 300mm and 420mm reach.
Interestingly enough, one very nebulous upside to this lens, something that is difficult to describe, is it's feel. It's a solid, massive hunk of precision. Anyone who owns a Nikkor 80-200mm lens (another older design but outstanding lens and great value) will understand what I mean. It's a joy to use.
May 12, 2011
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Will this work with a D5000 and if so will it autofocus?
4 days ago
by
Dizzy
Greece
Location :
Greece
Favorite Subject: Nature
Nikon Family: 0-1 years
Role: Serious passion, hobbyist
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Yes and yes.1 of 1
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