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New Nikon 300mm f/4 VR (1 Viewer)

Hi, I'm new to the forum and have been reading about the new Nikon 300mm f/4 as I'm about to buy a new lens. I realize it's been a while since you wrote these posts, but my question is, does the autofocus still work with this lens when using the 1.7 or 2x teleconverters?

Very impressed with your photos.

Thank you for your kind comments.

AF with the 2x works with cameras that support f8 AF (D7100, D7200, D750, D800, D810, D3, D4, D4s) from the top of my head

AF with the 1.7x worked well even with consumer cameras (D5200)
 
Does anybody know if there are production/stock issues with this lens.
Three shops I usually buy from are having difficulty getting this lens since it was first introduced.
Maybe it's a regional issue.

Regards Gerard.
 
Delays

Does anybody know if there are production/stock issues with this lens.
Three shops I usually buy from are having difficulty getting this lens since it was first introduced.
Maybe it's a regional issue.

Regards Gerard.
This lens has been difficult to get nationwide since its introduction, so not a regional issue. As to why that has been the case, I can only guess that it involves production issues in China. Because of a problem with the VR, they had to make a firmware update on the lens that probably slowed things down even more. It took three months for mine to come from B&H.
 
This is a great example of how good technology is nowadays...when comparing it to my 600 VR, 300 PF VR is simply too good to be true
 
I took my new D7200 out to Lamma Island with the 300/4 PF yesterday and had some nice light for a couple of hours. The AF was fast and for large birds I didn't need the teleconverter.
Neil.
 

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I took my new D7200 out to Lamma Island with the 300/4 PF yesterday and had some nice light for a couple of hours. The AF was fast and for large birds I didn't need the teleconverter.
Neil.
Neil can I ask how much faster the AF is on the 300 f4 compared to the 200-500? I am thinking of swapping to Nikon and buying one of these lenses. I photograph small birds in flight quite a bit.
Thanks
Sean
 
Neil can I ask how much faster the AF is on the 300 f4 compared to the 200-500? I am thinking of swapping to Nikon and buying one of these lenses. I photograph small birds in flight quite a bit.
Thanks
Sean

Sean,
With the 1.4x on the 300/4 PF the AF is similar. I normally have the 1.4x on when walking around or shooting from a hide. This is my goto combo when I'm travelling. It's good enough to capture Peregrines in flight. I haven't used the 200-500/5.6 out in the wetlands yet but will be taking it out next week so see how it performs at distance in marginal light.
 
I finally got around to shooting the D7200 with the 300/4 PF plus TC14E111 today. AF Speed seemed good and not much loss in rez. I'll shoot some more birds in flight tomorrow.
Neil.
 

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I finally got around to shooting the D7200 with the 300/4 PF plus TC14E111 today. AF Speed seemed good and not much loss in rez. I'll shoot some more birds in flight tomorrow.
Neil.

Nice shots Neil. I recently acquired the same combination (indeed I switched to Nikon for it!) and have had a few goes with it so far. The light has generally been quite poor but I've had some fairly pleasing results. These shots of a Short-eated Owl came out reasonably well given the low light:

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563984&d=1446906801
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563985&d=1446906817
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563986&d=1446906832
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563987&d=1446906846
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563988&d=1446906854
For me, being able to fairly easily get shots like these in a camera-lens set up that weighs well under two kilos is quite a big deal. I'm very much a birder who takes some pictures rather than a photographer, so I want to have kit that's as light and unobtrusive as possible while still allowing me to get good to very good shots in a range of situations. This lens helps me to do that better than any others that I'm aware of.
 
Nice shots Neil. I recently acquired the same combination (indeed I switched to Nikon for it!) and have had a few goes with it so far. The light has generally been quite poor but I've had some fairly pleasing results. These shots of a Short-eated Owl came out reasonably well given the low light:

http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563984&d=1446906801
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563985&d=1446906817
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563986&d=1446906832
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563987&d=1446906846
http://www.birdforum.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=563988&d=1446906854
For me, being able to fairly easily get shots like these in a camera-lens set up that weighs well under two kilos is quite a big deal. I'm very much a birder who takes some pictures rather than a photographer, so I want to have kit that's as light and unobtrusive as possible while still allowing me to get good to very good shots in a range of situations. This lens helps me to do that better than any others that I'm aware of.

amazing shots,
the 300mm PF + (TC) + D7200 seems perfect for walk around birding and documentation shots.
 
I was fortunate to be given this lens for Christmas. I have the TC1.4 II and am wondering if it's worth upgrading to the Mk III? Is there an appreciable difference in performance or should I keep my money?

Any thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks, Alan
 
I was fortunate to be given this lens for Christmas. I have the TC1.4 II and am wondering if it's worth upgrading to the Mk III? Is there an appreciable difference in performance or should I keep my money?

I'm in the same boat (or rather soon will be) and have the same question.
 
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I suspect you're probably correct Bob, despite having read somewhere a while ago that the new coatings are optimised for the new generation of lighter lenses. Perhaps someone who's experienced both might be able to offer a view?
 
amazing shots,
the 300mm PF + (TC) + D7200 seems perfect for walk around birding and documentation shots.

Thanks! I've been using the lens and D7200 in the testing conditions of rainforest in the past week or so. I've not checked the shots closely but have been pleased with some of the results and will post a few examples once I get home. I've generally not been using the converter, except in more open situations. In the forest and also at feeders the issue tends to be light rather than reach.
 
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