Merci pour votre analyse très complète sur cette optique. Vous m’avez persuadé de l’acheter, chose faite ce matin et je pars sur le terrain en Camargue pour de futures belles images.
Steven Mermelstein
November 27, 2024 9:39 pm
Nasim,
Thank you for this excellent review of the Nikon 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. I brought this 300mm telephoto prime lens including 1.4x teleconverter (TC14E III) for bird photography and coupled with my first DSLR (Nikon D7200) this super light weight combination provides an effective focal length of 630mm at f/5.6. This combination (D7200+300mm f/4E PF + TC14E III) also serves as backup for my Nikon Z8 coupled with the z 600mm f/6.3. I do have a question about the build quality/ sturdiness of the Nikon 300mm f/4 PF. Is the sealing and overall build quality / sturdiness of this telephoto prime lens sufficient to handle the inadvertent knocks that happen over the years during use in the field? (Your review does not appear to mention this. I have never dropped this lens but as Nikon now uses plastic in its prime lenses, I am asking this question).
David Schulze
November 8, 2024 1:49 pm
Helpful and practical review. Thank you!
Preston
May 11, 2024 8:07 am
It would be great to see this lens included as a sharpness reference when reviewing new Z lenses in this range, as it appears the sharpness holds up quite well and there is no equivalent lens at this focal length for the Z platform as of yet. Your reviews are terrific and much appreciated!
Robert
March 19, 2024 9:31 am
Came across this review by chance. I bought this lens as an affordable option for my switch to mirrorless as my Sigma 300mm f2.8 did not work with my Z6ii. I was staggered how light it was and use it mainly on a monopod for football. I have been able to shoot at no lower than 1/1000 at f4 in floodlight stadiums. The results are just great.
Volodia Putin
April 23, 2022 4:25 pm
TCs are useless .D810 or D850 instead. So 60% of review is wasting time ;)
jap
February 1, 2022 10:45 am
Hello Nasim, I have been mostly an Olympus guy for decades mostly due to the compact size of the bodies and lenses. (My hands are biologically small so compact bodies and lenses are so much more comfortable to handle.) However, with Nikon moving to mirrorless systems and their Z format being essentially as compact as Olympus systems with the added bonus of the bigger 135mm format as opposed to the 4:3 standard, I have been crash studying Nikon’s Z mirrorless format and, particularly, the S lenses.
As I viewed the Z lens roadmaps over the last few years, what has been extremely conspicuous by their absence is Nikon’s plans for 200mm and 300mm S lenses. Seeing this review on the F format 300mm f/4 PF lens, does it seem reasonable that Nikon may be working on PF versions of the F format 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses? The heaviest lens I ever owned was the old Olympus Zuiko 180mm f/2 lens, which was 67.02 ounces. However, it balanced so sweetly with my camera bodies it never seemed that heavy or awkward. Both the F 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses are north of six pounds! Certainly, PF versions of those lenses should drop the weight considerably.
I am seriously hoping Nikon ports versions of the F 28mm f/1.4E and 105mm f/1.4E lenses to the Z format. It would also be sweet to see a new world’s first – a 135mm f/1.4 lens, whether in a conventional of PF design.
Is there any news you are allowed to share along these lines, or am I condemned to sit & wait & see? (I have not actually bought into the Z format system as yet, but I have already mapped out potential complete systems I would buy. At 63 years of age, I have a very good feel for the types of lenses I love!)
With kindest regards,
John (aka jap)
Jeff
October 4, 2020 3:25 pm
The article is older than I thought but wouldn’t the lens be great it it was available in the z-mount? I believe that is the system nikon is what they are trying to get people to buy into. I doubt that this lens will cause anyone to move to nikon from another brand.
Mark
July 29, 2020 1:44 pm
Nasim, Would it be possible to update the lens comparison section with a look at the newer 70-300 AF-P FF frame lens? That lens is great for the money and a nice compact size, but I think a lot of beginner wildlife photographers would be comparing those two lenses. For about twice the money you get an F4 prime lens. I wonder if the extra stop and the potential IQ difference is worth it.
Many thanks
Mark
Michael
June 19, 2020 6:46 am
Just one comment I own the 500-200 and the 300 mm pf. I am using both lenses on a Z50. I have to say that the 300 mm pf copy that I have delivers the best images I have ever seen. With the 1.7 times converter attached it surpasses the already good 500-200 at 500 mm and that at a minimal focal distance of 1.4 m with an imaging ratio of 1:2.5, which makes it also great for some macro work on larger insects and snakes. Given the fact that it is much better to hold for longer time due to its light weight it is also the preferred choice for videos.
Maybe Nikon did improve on its quality control. My images are sharp to the edges with slight improvements when stopping down.
Hi Michael. I would like to see some of your photography and maybe ask you some questions about your experience with your gear. Not sure how to contact you from here though
Merci pour votre analyse très complète sur cette optique. Vous m’avez persuadé de l’acheter, chose faite ce matin et je pars sur le terrain en Camargue pour de futures belles images.
Nasim,
Thank you for this excellent review of the Nikon 300mm f/4E PF ED VR. I brought this 300mm telephoto prime lens including 1.4x teleconverter (TC14E III) for bird photography and coupled with my first DSLR (Nikon D7200) this super light weight combination provides an effective focal length of 630mm at f/5.6. This combination (D7200+300mm f/4E PF + TC14E III) also serves as backup for my Nikon Z8 coupled with the z 600mm f/6.3.
I do have a question about the build quality/ sturdiness of the Nikon 300mm f/4 PF. Is the sealing and overall build quality / sturdiness of this telephoto prime lens sufficient to handle the inadvertent knocks that happen over the years during use in the field?
(Your review does not appear to mention this. I have never dropped this lens but as Nikon now uses plastic in its prime lenses, I am asking this question).
Helpful and practical review. Thank you!
It would be great to see this lens included as a sharpness reference when reviewing new Z lenses in this range, as it appears the sharpness holds up quite well and there is no equivalent lens at this focal length for the Z platform as of yet. Your reviews are terrific and much appreciated!
Came across this review by chance. I bought this lens as an affordable option for my switch to mirrorless as my Sigma 300mm f2.8 did not work with my Z6ii. I was staggered how light it was and use it mainly on a monopod for football. I have been able to shoot at no lower than 1/1000 at f4 in floodlight stadiums. The results are just great.
TCs are useless .D810 or D850 instead. So 60% of review is wasting time ;)
Hello Nasim, I have been mostly an Olympus guy for decades mostly due to the compact size of the bodies and lenses. (My hands are biologically small so compact bodies and lenses are so much more comfortable to handle.) However, with Nikon moving to mirrorless systems and their Z format being essentially as compact as Olympus systems with the added bonus of the bigger 135mm format as opposed to the 4:3 standard, I have been crash studying Nikon’s Z mirrorless format and, particularly, the S lenses.
As I viewed the Z lens roadmaps over the last few years, what has been extremely conspicuous by their absence is Nikon’s plans for 200mm and 300mm S lenses. Seeing this review on the F format 300mm f/4 PF lens, does it seem reasonable that Nikon may be working on PF versions of the F format 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses? The heaviest lens I ever owned was the old Olympus Zuiko 180mm f/2 lens, which was 67.02 ounces. However, it balanced so sweetly with my camera bodies it never seemed that heavy or awkward. Both the F 200mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses are north of six pounds! Certainly, PF versions of those lenses should drop the weight considerably.
I am seriously hoping Nikon ports versions of the F 28mm f/1.4E and 105mm f/1.4E lenses to the Z format. It would also be sweet to see a new world’s first – a 135mm f/1.4 lens, whether in a conventional of PF design.
Is there any news you are allowed to share along these lines, or am I condemned to sit & wait & see? (I have not actually bought into the Z format system as yet, but I have already mapped out potential complete systems I would buy. At 63 years of age, I have a very good feel for the types of lenses I love!)
With kindest regards,
John (aka jap)
The article is older than I thought but wouldn’t the lens be great it it was available in the z-mount? I believe that is the system nikon is what they are trying to get people to buy into. I doubt that this lens will cause anyone to move to nikon from another brand.
Nasim, Would it be possible to update the lens comparison section with a look at the newer 70-300 AF-P FF frame lens? That lens is great for the money and a nice compact size, but I think a lot of beginner wildlife photographers would be comparing those two lenses. For about twice the money you get an F4 prime lens. I wonder if the extra stop and the potential IQ difference is worth it.
Many thanks
Mark
Just one comment I own the 500-200 and the 300 mm pf. I am using both lenses on a Z50. I have to say that the 300 mm pf copy that I have delivers the best images I have ever seen. With the 1.7 times converter attached it surpasses the already good 500-200 at 500 mm and that at a minimal focal distance of 1.4 m with an imaging ratio of 1:2.5, which makes it also great for some macro work on larger insects and snakes. Given the fact that it is much better to hold for longer time due to its light weight it is also the preferred choice for videos.
Maybe Nikon did improve on its quality control. My images are sharp to the edges with slight improvements when stopping down.
Hi Michael. I would like to see some of your photography and maybe ask you some questions about your experience with your gear. Not sure how to contact you from here though