New Nikon 300mm f/4 VR (3 Viewers)

[Andrew Whitehouse]

Here are a few 'straight out of the box' samples from Costa Rica. These were all taken in fairly gloomy conditions so are mostly quite high ISO shots taken at f4. I've just cropped and resized the original JPEGs and haven't done any other editing.

They were all taken with the D7200 and with no converter. I'm sure better shots are possible but I'm quite pleased to be able to get shots like these in such demanding conditions and with kit that only weighs around 1.5 kilos (camera and lens combined). In the humid forests that's quite a relief!

 

[Andrew Whitehouse]

I've edited these shots a bit more (brightened, sharpened, noise reduction).

 

[Jim M.]

Some impressive shots in this thread. Any idea if Nikon might come out with a similarly lightweight long zoom? If that happened, I might well be tempted to make the switch from micro 4/3.

 

[nikonmike]

Some impressive shots in this thread. Any idea if Nikon might come out with a similarly lightweight long zoom? If that happened, I might well be tempted to make the switch from micro 4/3.

Dont think you will see that until they enter the mirrorless market properly,i have the V2 and like it but nikon need to up there game.

 

[Vespobuteo]

Some impressive shots in this thread. Any idea if Nikon might come out with a similarly lightweight long zoom? If that happened, I might well be tempted to make the switch from micro 4/3.

guess you could say that the 70-300mm zoom
for the Nikon 1 system is both lightweight and long,
CX sensor with 2.7x crop factor makes
190-810mm "equivalent",
and it's only 550 grams.

but there is more than one IQ reason for people still lugging around FF-cameras
and lenses, bokeh, pixel count and performance in low light, for example.

 

[Jim M.]

Thanks. Should have specified I meant lenses suitable for APS-C sensors. One of the main reasons I'd consider a switch from Micro 4/3 would be to get better image quality esp. in low light/high ISO situations, and the Nikon 1 system would be going in the other direction.

 

[pe'rigin]

the Nikon 1 system would be going in the other direction.

Keep both going Jim?

I can't fault my XT-1 Fuji images, not quite up to my D800 results.

With the new 100-400mm coming out, it makes things a bit more interesting.

Likewise the new Leica, never used that system but people do rate it.

Unfortunately I didn't rate the Nikon 1 System at all, even with all the lens combo's. Maybe Nikon will finally get their act together?

 

[Vespobuteo]

Thanks. Should have specified I meant lenses suitable for APS-C sensors. One of the main reasons I'd consider a switch from Micro 4/3 would be to get better image quality esp. in low light/high ISO situations, and the Nikon 1 system would be going in the other direction.

yep, Nikon 1 is definitely not worth the money, IQ is not good enough in low light.

Nikon have the 80-400/4.5-5.6 and 200-500/5.6 zooms, both excellent lenses,
so I don't think they will release any slower zooms in the telephoto area above 300mm.
Mainly because of the AF-limitations with slower lenses.

The 100-400mm/4-6.3 Leica zoom seems like a very nice lens but I just wonder how C-AF speed will be for action/birds in flight at 400mm.

It will be interesting to see if wildlife photographers will adopt any of these new MFT lenses or the Fuji 100-400mm.

I'm scaling down my system so they are definitely on my list to try before buy.
But I suspect I will end up with the D500...

 

[RMWD]

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

Hi Alan,
I have both TC's and your combo. You won't notice any difference.
It is a great combo.

 

[Hermann]

yep, Nikon 1 is definitely not worth the money, IQ is not good enough in low light.

The price Nikon asks for these cameras is definitely too high. However, there are sometimes "special offers" making them much more affordable. I bought the 1 V1 new for about € 300 a few years ago, and it was not a grey market import. IQ is OK (but not excellent) up to ISO 800. ISO 1600 is usable in a pinch if you shoot RAW. I also got a brand new Nikon 1 J4 for under € 200 when a shop in town decided they couldn't be bothered with the Nikon 1 system anymore, and that included the kit lens.

I think the Nikon 1 are decent walk-around cameras if you can't be bothered with the size and weight of a DSLR. I often use them with the FT1 adapter and Nikkor lenses if I need a lot of reach. The V1 also makes a nice lightweight backup body on longer trips.

BTW, the 1 J4 with the 18.5/f 1.8 is quite useful for digiscoping. That combination lives in my pack on days when I don't really expect to do any "real" photography. Image quality is pretty good for a lightweight digiscoping rig.

Hermann

 

[alan kennedy]

Hi Alan,
I have both TC's and your combo. You won't notice any difference.
It is a great combo.

Thanks. V useful.

Alan

 

[squidge]

Hi, I purchased this lens a couple of weeks ago and have used it twice with a Nikon D7100 and tc1:4 II.

I have noticed that my pics are a lot softer and not as sharp as my old 300f4 D lens.
All online reviews apart from the initial D800 iso problem seem to be of an excellent lens however I'm disappointed with the results from mine. I'm bringing the lens back to the retailer on Monday to see what they can do.

Anybody else have this issue or know of anybody who had this softness from their pics?

Regards Gerard.

 

[BillN]

A few shots with the D7200 + 300 f4 PF + Nikon TC14Ell

 

[BillN]

A few shots with the D750 + 300 PF + Nikon TC14Ell

I replaced the 300 f4 AFS lens with the PF - I use the PF most of the time with the x 1,4 TC as a "walk about" - but I am finding more and more that I am using my 300mm f2.8 VR less and less - I have yet to try the 300PF on a tripod

 

[BillN]

But I find the D7200 usually (very) noisy in anything but good light at over ISO 600 - sometimes I get a shot at say ISO 1000 that I am happy with, but generally not

Here is a shot at ISO 1000, just too noisy for me without bg pp etc.

I am not really happy with the D7200, which I bought a couple of months ago to replace a D7100 - so much so that I will sell it in the next month
I cannot see what it gives you that you cannot get from cropping a FX sensor .. to say that it has "more reach" is illusory, IMHO

 

[Neil]

A few shots with the D750 + 300 PF + Nikon TC14Ell

I replaced the 300 f4 AFS lens with the PF - I use the PF most of the time with the x 1,4 TC as a "walk about" - but I am finding more and more that I am using my 300mm f2.8 VR less and less - I have yet to try the 300PF on a tripod

Nice work. Just shows what this little lens can do.
Neil.

 

[Neil]

I skipped the D7100 , so can't comment personally about it but my hide buddy is shooting with it on the 300/4 afs, and getting excellent results. As good or better than I'm getting with the D7200 and 300/4PF or 200-500/5.6. I do notice its a bit faster for acquiring birds in flight though when we shoot side-by-side down in the harbour but with good technique the results are similar.
I seem to have "misplaced" my TC14111 unfortunately so now only shoot with the bare lens. I like the 1 stop more speed anyway as light is poor to rubbish here at this time of the year.
Here are a few recent ones with the D7200 and 300/4PF.
Neil.

 

[Neil]

Just for fun I will show some thrushes taken at the bush pond with 4 different combos. The Nikon D7200 with the 300/4PF , 200-500/5.6, Canon SX60HS and digiscoped with the Panasonic GX8 and Swarovski STX85 + TLSAPO23 ( showing in this order).
Different days and different light but was happy with the results from all combos. This Canon SX60HS results were better than expected (raw) and is a camera that you could always have with you for grab shots.
Neil.

Hong Kong,
19th March 2016

 

[BillN]

Thanks Neil

a few more (bigger crops) with the D7200 + PF + 1,4TC

 

[BillN]

anyone tried the 300PF with the 1,7 TC?