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#1 |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
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I recently decided to purchase a prime 300mm f4 lens. But, given the amount of usage I knew I would give it, did not want to spring for the latest version which can be had on the used market for about $1000.
So, instead decided to take a chance on an older version AF300mm f4 lens with IF-ED which I ended up purchasing at KEH.com for about $459.00. In a nutshell, I'm not disappointed. While the AF is no barn burner, the clarity of this lens is pretty darned good. Here is an example of what I mean: Water Lily at normal magnification: ![]() Same image but at 100% crop: ![]() If you take a good look at the magnified image, you can clearly see a tick on one of the upper petals. BTW, no sharpening or post processing done.
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#2 |
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Hey Zig
Nice shot. I had an old Manual Focus Nikon 300mm AI-S f4.5 for a little while and it was an excellent lens, I only sold it because the Tair 3 is slightly better. That said I kinda miss it as it was actually use-able hand held where as the Tair is really a tripod only lens. I don't think you can go wrong with a Nikon 300mm prime imho, congrats on the purchase!
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#3 | |
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Yes, you're right, it is hard to beat this older version 300mm prime for clarity and sharpness. While the auto focus is not as fast as the AFS 70-200mm VR, it does a credible job. I went out last night and fooled with it a bit more. A couple of seagull images: ![]() ![]()
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#4 |
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Zig, I believe you will have a lot of fun using that lens, these images are a fine beginning.
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#5 |
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Hi Zig,
Those are great shots with the 300F4. You got yourself a very good deal from KEH. I was using the the 70-200VRII + TC-14II to achieve the 300mm reach these days. I was wondering if there's any IQ difference between the two?
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#6 | |
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It is just an old style war horse of a lens. All metal, built like a brick-you know what. It is an extremely sharp lens and I'm happy to have it.
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#7 | |
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The reason I bought it was to add a 2x converter and thus have a poor man's 600mm lens. I found out AFTER I bought the lens that it is only compatible with a manual TC-200 teleconverter. Effectively turning this into a manual focus lens. Not the world's biggest issue. But one that I didn't expect. I've got to try taking some more images with that combo and post a few Zig
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#8 |
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Sharpness and IQ look really good Zig. Looks like you have already mastered the lens!
Jehan |
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#9 | |
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That's why they have the 1.7xTC, the combo is still below f/8 so the autofocus might still work depending on the camera ![]()
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#10 |
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Unfortunately, the AF 300mm f4 is the older version which is not compatible with any of the TC series teleconverters that Nikon manufactures. To utilize the TC-17 telecon, it would have to be the AF-s version or later.
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