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

[Brin]

it's tracking birds in flight that concerns me - otherwise an excellent carry round lens, judging by all the reviews. And not weather sealed, if I remember rightly.

 

[gandytron]

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

I use the 300 PF with the 1.4 and the 1.7 TC on a D7100 and a V1.

With the D7100 and 1.7 the lens is slower to focus as you'd expect, and I have had some issues with focus accuracy on distant/low contrast subjects. For closer subjects I have been pleased with the results, but I'm not sure that if I use an outfit with a focal length of 510mm (= 300 x 1.7) I should be willing to accept that I can't get better images of distant subjects. I have no experience with the new generation of DSLR super zoom lenses (eg Tamron/Sigma 150-600mm or Nikon 200-500mm) to judge if they are similarly limited (perhaps only the "great whites" can really deliver over greater distances?)

Interestingly with the V1 attached to the 300 PF + 1.7 the AF seems faster and actually no different from the 1.4. The images on the V1's smaller sensor are obviously lower res, but for record shots this outfit can work quite well.

 

[flanken]

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

I have used the 300mm PF with the TC-17E. It has pretty good overall image quality stopped down to f/8, and retains decent AF capability with both the D810 and D5500. That said, the resolution is definitely not quite up to par with the bare lens, or unsurprisingly with the 500mm f/4. I actually prefer to use the TC-14E instead these days.

Here are some sample 300mm PF & TC-17E images that I've taken:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48282656@N00/21272401919/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48282656@N00/22168732476/in/dateposted-public/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/48282656@N00/22182166242/in/dateposted-public/

 

[Dirk Hiemstra]

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

Supercombination. Please bear in mind: you can not track birds with 1.7 as the active focus point is the center and does not follow the subject with the 1.7. With 1.4 no problem and a touch faster.

 

[BillN]

Thanks guys for your comments

 

[Duddon girl]

I bought this lens just recently to replace my older 300mm AFS. I usually use it with the 1.4 TC II, either on a D5200 or D7200. I find that mine is not quite as sharp as the older 300mm but it's close enough unless I'm pixel peeping.

I was thinking of going with the 200-500 but decided that I would probably end up leaving it at home more often as I couldn't be bothered to carry so much weight. The 300 is so light I'm happy to take it anywhere, even if I am walking several miles. I will no doubt miss a few shots that others with longer lenses might get and will have to rely on cropping more, but since I only take photos for my own enjoyment I can live with that.

One other thing I find is that it is much easier to creep, shuffle, or crawl unobtrusively when I just have a very small light lens that I can easily hold with one hand round the barrel.

 

[Beyondhope]

No doubt this is a small, fairly light lens but I find I need to use a monopod at times. Mounting direct to the body results in the obvious imbalance therefore a mount ring (not supplied as standard) is required.

I note UK Highland Photography with an address in the UK - Woking Surrey, sell an iShoot IS RT1 Arca-type lens mount for £24.99 plus UK delivery. I would be grateful to hear if anyone has any experience of using this company and also the iShoot mount ring.

My thanks in anticipation.

 

[Beyondhope]

No doubt this is a small, fairly light lens but I find I need to use a monopod at times. Mounting direct to the body results in the obvious imbalance therefore a mount ring (not supplied as standard) is required.

I note UK Highland Photography with an address in the UK - Woking Surrey, sell an iShoot IS RT1 Arca-type lens mount for £24.99 plus UK delivery. I would be grateful to hear if anyone has any experience of using this company and also the iShoot mount ring.

My thanks in anticipation.

Presumably no one was able to offer any advice on this matter so I took a calculated risk and ordered the product with the following result:-

1. notified by 1000hrs on the next working day after placing the order that the order had been dispatched via
Royal Mail standard delivery as requested.
2. package arrived as expected 48 hours later, well packed.
3. product entirely to my satisfaction - well finished, easily fitted, sturdy and very good value for money in my
view.
4. product will accept either an Arca-type clamp or 1/4" - 3/8" screw Q/R plates.
5. price quoted above actually included delivery.

 

[Neil]

I haven't used the lens for a few weeks as I've been shooting with the 200-500/5.6. As this is a bit heavy as a walkabout lens I took the 300PF out with me yesterday in good light.
It impressed me again at what it can do. If you look at the image of the all the egrets and night herons nesting it was taking at about 150 metres from the Lamma ferry. If anyone is interested there is a large file of this image here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7892550@N03/26980347824/in/dateposted-public/
The 300/4 afs does seem a tad sharper at this distance but there is not much in it. The 300/4 afs does do a little better against the light too.
Neil
ps no teleconverter and with the D5

 

[Kestrel21]

I own a Nikon D7000 and wished to acquire this lens to improve my photo capabilities when birding. Budget is limited so I thought of going for this lens and retaining the camera body I have.

Has anyone tried such a combo? Would this lens perform as intended with this somewhat older body?

thanks

 

[capdegat]

It worked with d3300. Although a newer body it is bottom of range so I would expect d7000 to be fine.

 

[Neil]

I own a Nikon D7000 and wished to acquire this lens to improve my photo capabilities when birding. Budget is limited so I thought of going for this lens and retaining the camera body I have.

Has anyone tried such a combo? Would this lens perform as intended with this somewhat older body?

thanks

You'll have no problem using it with the D7000 and you'll be impressed with the results.
Neil.

 

[Neil]

I've been shooting the 300/4f PF with the D5 over the last few weeks and am even more impressed with what it can do. Here are some photos taken with this combo.
Neil.

 

[enzodiac]

I got the d500 a couple of weeks back and i've had issues with the 200-500 and bifs. I just couldn't seem to get a sharp picture at distances. I got tired of lugging it around also. So I switched to 300pf and tc-14iii. I now have a super lightweight package with equal or better sharpness compared to 200-500. Certainly alot sharper for bifs. Here are some examples from the last couple of days. edit: I have noticed slight softening at shutter speeds lower than 1/250. Is this normal? I thought the VR issues were resolved. Not that I shoot like that very often. It could be nice for still subjects though.

 

[Pasquier]

Nice Images!

We use the Same combination - it is addictive.

Have fun.

:t:

 

[Neil]

300/4 PF with the D5

I notice no postings for a while on this thread so I thought I would update as I've using this lens a lot with the Nikon D5 as my primary combo.
People were worried about sharpness in the early days but I've been more than impressed, even with large crops. Here is a test with this image of a Chinese Bulbul at full frame and tight crop.
Neil.