Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR F/4D IF-ED 300mm

Yes - I've used it recently.  It's very sharp and works well with teleconverters.  The biggest advantage is the close minimum focus distance of 4.5 feet which produces a magnification ratio 1:3.7.  That works very well for insects like butterflies and dragonflies.  It also works well on the Z cameras since the lens lacks VR and benefits from IBIS.

This is one lens I will continue to own for a while even though other lenses have switched to Z versions.

Thanks a bunch for your thoughts and wisdom Eric. I am generally a fan of many of the D lenses from Nikon, and I've had my eye on this one. I usually shoot over 1/1000th of a second in good light anyways for action work so this one seems a good fit for the D3s at times. Any thoughts on its CAF performance? I'm interested more in consistency than outright speed :)

I don't find there is any problem with AF speed.  It's not quite as fast as the 70-200 f/2.8, but certainly acceptable.  AF accuracy is very good.  Bokeh is excellent - and better than the 300mm PF.  On a D3 or similar flagship camera, AF should be faster than my use on a D850 or Z7ii.

This remains my lens of choice for butterflies and other insects because it provides close minimum focus distance.  I have the 400mm f/4.5 which is my choice for most other subjects, but does not have the same benefits for close subjects like butterflies because the minimum focus distance is twice as long as the 300mm f/4.

Based on those shots it's everything you've said about it optically, and the versatility of the close focus is definitely checking off a major portion of my list.  Again appreciate the time you took to answer my questions!

Just found a like new one with everything at KEH for $474.00 so I jumped on it.

If I need to use a telecon for more reach I can do that by my D810 and D800's have built in telecons :). I haven't used a prime for action work in a long time, so I am looking forward to being "limited" again. 

I'll jump back on here after it comes and share my thoughts if anyone is interested. I generally prefer bigger and heavy equipment for stability and handling (just not obscenely big or heavy, there is a balance!) so I actually prefer the size and weight over the PF version.

The only omission is weather sealing but I can get over that since I already have several weather sealed lenses for my Nikon F mount lineup. Looking forward to using this one, it's supposed to arrive on my birthday too so lets hope :)

@3percent I know that Nasim was a big fan of it when he used the D810 and previous DSLRs! It seems to be one of the best bargains you can get used today, and great for close-focus photography.

Yep! I found out he was after I ordered it, plus  that he did a review on it here too. I didn't think to look prior to ordering it (duh). Had my eye on it for a while. Sounds like the lens I want it to be so here's to hoping real life experience translates!

It's a good lens. Heavy though if I remember right. 

1310 grams is what I read. For the type of shooting I'm going to do with it, that's perfect. Stable, great handling, yep I'm in! Arrives next week. 

I had it for several years, primarily shooting high school sports with it. It created excellent images and its AF motor was fast enough to keep up with the action. Its biggest rap was its tripod foot, which may not be applicable to your use. I replaced the original with a Kirk contraption that solved the bending/vibration issues of the foot. Some say that the current Nikon tripod foot on the 70-200s and larger, were influenced by failure of this foot. 

@richiero Good to know and thanks. Nasim also mentioned some issues in his review too so I assume this is a well known phenom with the lens tripod foot/collar.

I'll take a peek at the telecon's too, seems to do very well with the 1.4XII which is all I tend to use anyways.

@3percent I used it with the AF-S 1.4x (1st edition), to good use, during daytime shooting. Far superior to using the Sigma 1.4X on my 120-300 (tc1401, I believe).

Just arrived :). 

What a beauty this lens is. Just a quick few frames with the D3s and I'm hooked. Super sharp wide open, really fast AF (surprisingly fast), awesome build quality, great handling, awesome close focusing, and perfect size and weight for a tele of this focal length.

I can see why it has been popular and why it still gets high marks. Looking forward to shooting some spring birds with it on the D810 (and D750 my second b-day gift to myself on its way).

I am totally fine living without VR and weather sealing.

Again appreciate all the initial feedback which confirmed my hunches before buying!