Nikon 300mm f4E PF ED VR anyone using one of these

Nikon f1.8

Nikon f1.8

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Looking at getting one of these (used) and was wondering if anyone is shooting with one. What is your opinion ??? Youtube reviews seem to give mixed reviews, some say the autofocus is not up to scratch so to speak.
 
One of my favourite lens when I had a DSLR, had the 500PF too, since going mirrorless I replaced with Z 400 f4.5.

The 300mm was great at close up too not just wildlife and stupidly light !
 
Nice sharp lens but sadly lacking for wildlife , by the time you have added a t.c you have lost the shot and apeture kept mine for a couple of months then by by
 
the black fox said:
Nice sharp lens but sadly lacking for wildlife , by the time you have added a t.c you have lost the shot and apeture kept mine for a couple of months then by by
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Interesting comment Jeff, I don't think I will need a really long reach, just a normal distance if that makes sense. If I do stick a 1.4 tele on it's only going to go to f5.6 which I could probably live with. Most of my shots with it will be at WWF in Washington so not too far away. Was thinking more lighter is better at my age.
 
Tbh I really didn’t find the light weight to be any advantage and I’m nearly 80 . In fact probably the reverse as it puts the heavy weight at the camera end . I traded it in for a Tamron 150-600 G2 which was a far better option and not much heavier
 
the black fox said:
Tbh I really didn’t find the light weight to be any advantage and I’m nearly 80 . In fact probably the reverse as it puts the heavy weight at the camera end . I traded it in for a Tamron 150-600 G2 which was a far better option and not much heavier
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Are you talking 300 PF Jeff or the original Nikon 300 F4? There is a significant difference in weight IMO
 
Just checked the Nikon 300PF is 755g and tamron is 2050g, admitedly very different lenses but if you want super sharp and very lightweight you wont beat the 300 PF
 
AdamSi said:
Are you talking 300 PF Jeff or the original Nikon 300 F4? There is a significant difference in weight IMO
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The pf Adam I was spending more time changing t.c’s than taking photos .. also had the other one years ago but they suffer from af motor failure
 
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Nikon f1.8 said:
Looking at getting one of these (used) and was wondering if anyone is shooting with one. What is your opinion ??? Youtube reviews seem to give mixed reviews, some say the autofocus is not up to scratch so to speak.
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I haven't got much to compare it against, and the 1.4TC is almost permanently attached, making it a 420mm f5.6. My only other lens, which I no longer have was the nikon 200-500mm f5.6, and I'm not sure I noticed much difference in AF or indeed optical performance. BUT I never did any direct comparisons. Originally used with a D500, but. now with a Z8.

The big advantage of the 300+1.4 is its close focussing (important for Dragonflies) With the TC, it gives X0.34 magnification from 1.4m. Not much can compete with that.

The Nikon 100-400mm is better at x0.38, but because it gets this magnification by changing focal length, you are at a working distance of less than 1 metre. The 400mm f4.5 Z lens only gives you x0.16 magnification at its closest focussing.

With the FTZ adapter, the 300+1.4 combo is about the same weight ( 1446g for the 300mm combo vs 1435g for the 100-400) and physically smaller than the 100-400.

I've rarely used it without the TC, as 300mm is usually just too short for me. But overall I like the lens a lot and it seems to work well, and It's useful to know I can take the TC off and get something a bit faster, smaller and lighter, if needed.

Without the TC, it certainly seems to focus faster.
 
myotis said:
I haven't got much to compare it against, and the 1.4TC is almost permanently attached, making it a 420mm f5.6. My only other lens, which I no longer have was the nikon 200-500mm f5.6, and I'm not sure I noticed much difference in AF or indeed optical performance. BUT I never did any direct comparisons. Originally used with a D500, but. now with a Z8.

The big advantage of the 300+1.4 is its close focussing (important for Dragonflies) With the TC, it gives X0.34 magnification from 1.4m. Not much can compete with that.

The Nikon 100-400mm is better at x0.38, but because it gets this magnification by changing focal length, you are at a working distance of less than 1 metre. The 400mm f4.5 Z lens only gives you x0.16 magnification at its closest focussing.

With the FTZ adapter, the 300+1.4 combo is about the same weight ( 1446g for the 300mm combo vs 1435g for the 100-400) and physically smaller than the 100-400.

I've rarely used it without the TC, as 300mm is usually just too short for me. But overall I like the lens a lot and it seems to work well, and It's useful to know I can take the TC off and get something a bit faster, smaller and lighter, if needed.

Without the TC, it certainly seems to focus faster.
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Thanks for the info Graham, good to know. The reason for the 300 and not something else is weight and size which the lens seems to tick all the requirements for me. Might just pull the trigger and if I don't like it (which assume I will) I can always return under distance selling.
 
Nikon f1.8 said:
Thanks for the info Graham, good to know. The reason for the 300 and not something else is weight and size which the lens seems to tick all the requirements for me. Might just pull the trigger and if I don't like it (which assume I will) I can always return under distance selling.
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For size and weight it's a great choice. I would dearly like Nikon to bring out a Z version (with the same close focus) so I could drop needing to carry the FTZ adaptor.
 
There is a useful comparison of Nikon telephotos on Thoms site.

He suggests that of all the 300mm options available for Nikon, the 300mm f4 gives the best performance.


And with the 1.4 TC, the 400mm performance is comparable to the 180-600 at 400, and the 100-400 at 400. But a step behind the two 400mm primes.


Best Telephoto Options in the Z Mount | Thom Hogan

What's the best telephoto option for a Z camera at 200-800mm?
www.zsystemuser.com
 
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