Nikon 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Nikkor AF-S

Nikon introduced the AF-S 300/4 lens in 2001, thus replacing the glorious AF ED 300/4 IF. The new lens has some interesting features, which allow to consider it, at least in my opinion, as a real improvement on the previous model. Such features are: - the silent-wave AF motor (AF-S), which works also with F4-Series cameras; - the use of 77 mm filters (finally!); - a quite useful 1.45 m minimum focusing distance. Color rendition is awesome and distorsion is comparable to my 50/1.8 E, i.e. nil. A state-of-the-art performance! At the widest aperture an almost imperceptible corner light fall-off is visible, which disappears at f/5.6. Therefore, the light fall-off is better corrected than the previous non-D AF model. I guess the maximum aperture is around 1/3 stop less than f/4. In fact, slides taken at 1/500" f/4 are slightly darker than images at 1/250" f/5.6 or 1/125" f/8. To get similar densities at different apertures I have to compensate for +1/3 EV @ f/4. The lens exhibits a very good sharpness at f/4, even in the corners. At f/5.6 sharpness increases and image quality is excellent. W/open & with my TC-14B the sharpness is very good, but contrast decreases. However, the overall performance is preferable to the AF Tokina ATX 400 mm f/5.6, a telephoto lens I used in the past with satisfaction. I consider the AFS 300/4 a tool preferable to the f/2.8 brother because: - it is unobtrusive & much lighter (a real travel lens, supplied with a nice semi-soft case); - it focuses closer; - it can produce high quality images even w/open; - yes, it's slower, but it costs 4000 € less ... About tripod collar, several reviews have stressed vibration issues. I consider the quality of the tripod collar of my sample (serial number: 210xxx) "satisfactory".

Sharpness & contrast. Good quality with 1.4 X TCs.

Price, considering that the lens does not have VR feature.

AF Nikkor 300/4 ED; AF Tokina ATX 100-300/4; AF Tokina ATX 400/5.6; AF Tamron LD 400/4

This lens is super sharp and super fast focusing. The only lens in this range that I would consider optically better(for Nikon) is the 300mm 2.8AF-S. This being true, I believe with all my heart that the 300mm f/4 AF-S is a BETTER lens. Now before you get all excited let me explain. Most photographers who use the 300mm f/2.8 stop it down to f/4 for max sharpness and light fall off reasons anyway. The 300mm f/4 is damn sharp wide open with virtually no light fall off. The fact that at f/4 the 300mm f/2.8 is sharper than the 300mm f/4 is undeniable, but is it 500% sharper? For the price of the 2.8 I could pay for a whole lotta film and only in a handfull of images would I notice a difference. Now, other than price, it is lighter and smaller. Try hand holding the two lenses at the same exposure of 1/350sec and f8 and then tell me which lens is sharper! The f4 also focus closer. Unless you have someone to carry your gear for you, don't even look at the 2.8. And if you have an extra $3000 plus dollars to throw away, give it to charity or even me as thanks for saving your back from all that lifting! There is only one lens that will replace my 300 f/4 AF-S, and that is the 300f/4 AF-S VR if Nikon ever makes it.

Sharp, fast focus, light. relatively cheap

The resale value if and when nikon releases a VR model.

A fantastic lens. I have used it with a Tamron SP AF 1.4 converter and the Kenko autofocus extension tubes with great results. This lens focuses close by itself and with addition of either the 1.4 converter or the Kenko extension tubes,it makes a great close-up lens with a lot of working distance. The long focal length completly wipes out the background. The autofocus is fast and quiet. I have used it to follow flying waterfowl on the Nikon F100 and the pictures were sharp and in focus. Could never do this with a manual lens. I love this lens and it is one of my most used lens for outdoor photography. Would highly recommend this lens.

Very sharp, fast & quiet autofocus, well built

As others have noted the tripod collar isn''t as smooth as on other Nikon lens but I can live it.

Nikon f2.8 80-200, Nikon 70-180 micro zoom,several nikon lens from zooms to fixed focal length

Not needed for this lens but am very well satisfied the times I have used it on other products.

Steping up from 70 - 300 5.6 ED this lens is simply incomparable. Even when matched with TC 20 E converter it is still tack sharp. Had to purchase good solid tripod and supporting arm from Manfroto and my soft image problems were eliminated. Comfortable in free hand action photography.

Sharp, fast focus and solid.

None

70 - 300 5.6 ED Nikkor 70 - 210 ?? Nikkor

Not needed

Like it''s predesessor, this lens is tack sharp even wide open and when used with a Nikon 1.4x contertor. Focus is very fast and precise, with or without 1.4x, on my f100. Much sharper with 1.4x than Tokina 400 f5.6 and it focuses faster. I have to agree that the tripod collar is a weak spot, although it is very similar (if not identical) to the collars on both the 80-400 VR and 80-200 AFS (similar in design, also, to many Canon lenses) which I''ve not heard any complaints about. With proper tripod and hand-holding technique, I''ve been amazed by the results I''ve recieved wide open and at slow shutter speeds. The collar issue issue is a minor detail for what is otherwise an outstanding lens. I highly recommend it.

Very sharp optics, well built. Unlike previous model 300 f4, Matrix metering and AF (still fast) is available with TC-14E (420mm f5.6).

The tripod collar is not as solid as I would like although, with proper technique (you need to rest you hand lightly on the top of the lens above the tripod collar - not out toward the focusing ring), it is certainly adequate. It also doesn''t rotate quite as smoothly as others - small trade off for ability to remove it, I guess..

AF Nikkor 300 f4 EDIF, Tokina ATX 400 f5.6, AF Nikkor 80-200 f 2.8, AFS Nikkor 400 f2.8.

None required.Ú