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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon 300mm f/4D AF-S Review

Nikon 300mm f/4D AF-S Review

By Nasim Mansurov 251 Comments
Last Updated On November 9, 2024

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Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Optical Features
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251 Comments
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Michael
Michael
December 8, 2024 7:38 am

Hi Nasim, I just purchased one of these for £184 (UK) – its in great condition and only has some minor dust – absolute bargain! Gonna pick up the 1.4 teleconverter to go with it.
Thanks for your review – it helped me decide to get this lens!

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3Percent
3Percent
April 17, 2023 11:00 pm

Just picked one up myself Nasim! :) I found out you had reviewed it and own it after I picked mine up. Been looking at this one for quite some time. Looking forward to using it on my D3s and D800/810s! Sounds like a made a hell of a good choice and got it like new for $475.00 from KEH.

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Robert John
Robert John
Reply to  3Percent
October 22, 2023 12:52 pm

Good move! This is a gem of a lens. For me, it has seen off both the 80-400 and the 200-500. Nowadays, it’s also fantastic value.

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FortuneFoto
FortuneFoto
November 13, 2022 11:22 pm

Hi Nasim, I have the same dream as you: a 600mm lightweight lens with fast AF and VR. I want to try this lens on my Olympus E-M1x, it became 600mm with 6.6 stops VR(when needed). Is this sound like a good idea, IF you can find any good NF-M43 adapter? I will try it.

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ian c
ian c
October 21, 2022 1:55 pm

Please may I request advice. I have very little photography knowledge. I have hitherto been using the Nikon D7100 with a Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary for birding. Using this combo has been pretty straightforward.
Now I have also obtained the Nikkor 300mm f/4D AF-S IF-ED lens second hand. It is I believe an older lens.
I understand that unlike with using the previous lens on the D7100, changing the aperture setting is done via a lens dial (not via the camera as with the earlier combo- but correct me if I am wrong).
Please may someone advise me – do I need to change any settings on the NIkon camera to be able to use the camera with this lens, and if so, which settings.
Many thanks, Ian

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Robert John
Robert John
Reply to  ian c
April 25, 2024 12:07 pm

Just set the aperture ring to f22. If you don’t do that the lens won’t work and it’ll display an error message. Once you’ve done that, adjust the aperture with the camera dial as usual.
Also, as Nasim suggested, do get a 1.4 TC.

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ian
ian
Reply to  Robert John
June 2, 2024 7:33 am

a belated thank you

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edward hyde
edward hyde
October 24, 2021 4:01 am

where is the comparison to the 70-300

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Jerr Dillahunt
Jerr Dillahunt
September 23, 2021 12:19 pm

Hello Nasim,

I am about to buy a used AF-S Nikkor 300mm ED f/4 lens. I will be inspecting it closely for dust particles but want to know the best way to do this?

Also, am worried about the silent wave motor, as I have the AF-S Nikkor 300mm ED II f/2.8 lens (which I bought used about 5 years ago) and the autofocus now works intermittently. I actually thought it was completely dead, but then after a month it started working again. I have tried cleaning all contacts, and making sure it is locked when mounting, but nothing seems to permanently resolve the issue. What could make the silent wave motor perform in such an erratic manner?

I use the 300mm f/2.8 on my D500 primarily, but also sometimes on my D850. It works erratically on both bodies. I am stumped, and Nikon Repair will not touch this lens because it is out of production.

Any help/insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance,

Jerr Dillahunt

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Darryl Kerney
Darryl Kerney
April 26, 2021 2:03 pm

Question Re: the older 300mm AF f4, (the one made between 1987 and 2000), I have been trying to find out what is the highest resolution it can deliver on newer cameras, without much luck. DxO mark does not have it in the database, and i am wondering, at what point is using it on higher res bodies pointless ? i have D7000, D750 and D800e.

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Panos
Panos
April 12, 2021 11:08 am

An old but very interesting review. I was wondering if anyone has used the lens with a Z camera and knows if the af works. The second question is how it compares to the new af-p 70-300mm fx @ 300mm. Thanks

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Gariel
Gariel
Reply to  Panos
April 15, 2021 3:45 pm

I have owned both lenses, although I sold the af-p 70-300 FX this year. The 300mm AF-S is FAR superior to the 70-300 at 300mm. Not close. The AF-P 70-300 FX is the best 70-300 zoom I’ve ever used, but it can’t compare to this outstanding prime lens.

Can’t help you with the Z cameras…likely won’t be upgrading from my F-mount anytime soon.

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Geraci Salvatore
Geraci Salvatore
Reply to  Panos
May 9, 2021 11:54 am

I am using this lens with Nikon Z6 and it is working, sometime i use the Kenko 1.4x and it is still working well. Sorry for my english

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Vivek Mishra
Vivek Mishra
Reply to  Geraci Salvatore
July 12, 2021 11:45 am

Any autofocus or optics issue with kenko Tc? Can you please provide the model of the TC? AMAZON link will be great. I have z6 too

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Mark Ferguson
Mark Ferguson
August 10, 2020 6:55 pm

Hi Nasim, would this lens and the TC-14E work with the FTZ on my Z6?

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Maja
Maja
December 12, 2018 4:29 am

Thnks for another great review!
I am wondering though;
could I use Nisi S5 filter holder with this lens
(because of attached lens hood I don’t suppose it is possible??)
Thanks :)

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Reply

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