Pro grade best lens for portrait or sport light weight easy to use 5/5 image quality 5/5 sharpness 5/5 speed 5/5 color 5/5 price if you are shooting day time this lens no 1 lens no need to carry any 2.8 lens I used this lens on D610 and D4s on d4s body 2 times faster. This mean lens speed also depend on your camera body. I am a sport photographer shooting marathons every week , car, motorcycle racing and soccer in Thailand (im from Turkey ) u can buy a ultra wide lens + this 300mm lens done. No one can take better outdoor portrait or sport shoots on 200-300mm better then this lens. if you need 300mm lens this is winner . Im shooting every week 4000 -10 000 marathon photos just with this lens. Results are perfect . price 500-550 usd used for this pro lens. For outdoor sports excellent lens. For outdoor portrait excellent even u have 300mm f2.8 or 70-200 f2.8 u can buy this lens again that much good. lighter than 300 2.8 better image quality than 70-200 I love this lens i will never sell another good perfect and cheap used lens is 180 mm f2.8 u can buy under 300 usd if you dont have much money for buy 70-200 . this 180mm prime is very fast and perfect image quality as any 70-200 lens. my fb page and facebook same jpeg.run ucan see my photos . u can ask any question if you need cesurozkurt is my fb name

No any negative of this lens. This is prime lens not zoom lens like 70-200 f2.8 or f4 so u have to think what will shot what u need.

Pretty much everything, see above

Pretty much nothing, see above

Primarily purchased as a ‘with minimum compromise’ telephoto lens for wildlife photography, after years of being ultimately disappointed by the performance of 70-300 f.4-5.6-type lenses when compared to my prime wide-angle and medium-range telephoto lenses.

It was just finding the right telephoto, and making the financial plunge. And to be honest I wished I’d done it sooner…

Performance is staggering:

Focussing is accurate (when YOU’RE accurate!), and quiet. It’s also fast, even with a medium-range body like my D90. It’s even faster on a D700.

Very sharp, easily on par if not surpassing my 24/ f.2.8 and 85/1.8. When coupled with the fantastic, isolating, quality of the bokeh that the lens provides, the results can be instantly gorgeous. Seriously, if you’ve never used a lens like this before, when you first get the results back you think ‘Crikey, so this how the pro’s make the shots look like they do’. It really is like that. And as other have said, you can have every confidence using it wide-open at f.4 with no real loss.

Colour and contrast are spot-on, and certainly nothing to worry about.

Size and portability are a boon. It actually seems lighter than you might imagine for its size, but is really well made and has a solid, robust feel to it. I never even thought about spending the thousands more on a super-hefty 300/2.8, but being able to carry the thing around on day-long walks and outings, as I do, is definitely a consideration.

On that subject, nor have I tried the 2.8/300, but from what I’ve read the performance difference between it and this seem remarkably close for the price difference.

I’ve tried this against a friend’s 80-200 f.2.8, and considered one of those as oppose to this in the first place. The zoom obviously offers more versatility but to be honest the results from the 300 just seem that much sharper. Some might disagree but to me it was obvious. I just prioritised sharpness and that extra bit of focal length over the greater range of application of the 80-200. I also thought about the 80-400 VR but just too many sensible-sounding pro/user reviews commented negatively on the AF speed and the minimum focussing distance.
Haven’t tried it with a converter at all.

Built-in hood is a great trick, and extremely useful.

Another thing to consider is these type of lenses hold their value really well so if you ever want to sell it, and especially if you’ve kept the box and everything else, you’re never going to make a big loss. (I’d even consider buying one before, say, a month-long safari trip, then selling it after. Must be cheaper than hiring one).

Negatives? Nothing major; nothing at all. It seems a bit over-priced but these things always are, and there’s nothing you can do about that! Also, though it’s not a negative, there’s no rear element so when you look down the back of the lens you just see aperture blades and an empty space that stretches deep in to the body of it. It just looks vulnerable to dust, things etc getting lost in there. (Something to check if getting a second-hand one).

Overall – thoroughly happy with it and really still feel it was the best quality/size/price/minimum-compromise lens available for my priorities/budget.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Nikon: 70-210 f4-5.6; 70-300 AFS; 80-200 AFS f2.8

Sharpness & contrast. Good quality with 1.4 X TCs.

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

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".

Similar Products Used:

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

Sharp, fast focus, light. relatively cheap

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

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 d*** 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.

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.

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.

Customer Service

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

Similar Products Used:

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

Sharp, fast focus and solid.

None

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.

Customer Service

Not needed

Similar Products Used:

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

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..

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.

Customer Service

None required.Ú

Similar Products Used:

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

Price. Build. Auto-focus. ED Glass.

Tripod collar is still an issue when used on a monopod,a bit too weak, but working on a modification to solve the problem.

This is an updated review on the one previously posted.As mentioned before, auto focus is extremely fast and accurate, with focus tracking on the F100 spot on. I had to make a larger lens hood for use at Motorsport events as the built in hood was sometimes insufficient, especially early or late in the day with the sun low in the sky.

Customer Service

Not required so far...

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 300 f4.

Super sharp
Nice and solid
Mates well w/ teleconverters
Built in lens hood

Tripod collar sucks- lens loses sharpness when used on tripod

I bought the lens as a light weight alternative to the back breaking 2.8 teles I usually use. It's well made and extremely sharp, however there is a problem with the tripod collar supplied. You can get *sharper* results using the lens handheld rather than on a tripod!! This leads me to believe there is a problem with the tripod mount- it's too flimsy.
In fact, there are reports that Nikon is upgrading the tripod collar.
One other note. Silent wave lenses are NOT faster than regular lenses, just quieter. Some of the latest examples of regular Nikon lenses focus faster than any silent wave lens I've used!
Add one star when Nikon fixes the tripod collar.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Nikon teles from 180mm to 800mm

Sharpness
Contrast
Close-focussing
Focus speed
Compatibility with TC14-E
77mm filters; same as most other pro-spec lenses
Len hood that screws firmly into position
Direct auto/manual switchover
Build quality

Tripod collar - whilst this is detachable, it is not oily-smooth like many Nikon tripod collars as it rotates on a felt bed. Sometimes gets half-loose as it bayonets into the position for taking it off. Also, the locking knob is smaller than on some lenses, making operation a little fiddly
No VR facility offered
Focus limiters infinity-3m or full, no close up limit (e.g. 3-1.45m) which I would have found very useful for my work.

This is a fantastic lens, both in build quality and optical performance. I sold my non-AFS 300/4 to buy it and don't regret it at all. Close focuses to 1.45m... with the TC14-E converter that represents nearly a 1:2 repro ratio. Unlike old 300, AF possible with converter. Also, it is extremely sharp with the converter attached. I have to compare it with my older 300/4 and it is a quantum leap forward. Instant manual/AF switchover (Canon buyers will be laughing as this is a standard), where the old lens required altering the M/F focus collar and the camera's focus mode. 77mm (also 17-35, 28-70, 80-200 2.8s) filter size rather than obscure 82mm front filter. Focus very definite and quick, though occasionally overshoots fractionally and has to be dragged back, but it all hapens so quickly. Considered the 80-400 VR as an option, but I have lenses in the 80-200 range, don't regret my decision. This lens is cheaper, faster (AF and aperture for SUBJECT movement) and I would warrant sharper too, though I've seen no direct comparison. Also if you own a N90/F90, it is fully compatible, unlike VR lens. Handles really well on an F100 and I use it more bird/animal photography. If you're thinking about it then go for it, you won't regret the decision. I've now taken 20+ films with it on Provia F / Velvia and am pleased as punch. If you want more speed, rate Provia F at 200, the results are fantastic.

Customer Service

None

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor 300/4 IF-ED IF (non AFS)