300mm f/4 AF-s is sick

[Woodyg3]

My favorite lens is sick. It won't focus properly, and I mean it's not even close. I've cleaned the contacts and tried it on three different cameras, both with and without the teleconverter. The poor thing is just ill and needs a doctor.

It's a grey market, so no Nikon service, but our local repair shop will take a look at it. If it's going to cost too much, though, I can't see spending a ton on an old non-VR lens. Sad.

Meanwhile, I'm glad I've got the good old Tamzooka 150-600.

Anyway, if anyone gets ahold of the Tamron 100-400 and has some reports, I'd like to know what you think. That lens could be a consideration in the future.

 

[Roy1961]

that sucks mate.

 

[cwgrizz]

Woody, not a good thing. Hope the shop can tweak it and get it going again without charging too much.

 

[hark]

I too hope it can be fixed, Woody. I love mine, and wow is it sharp! However, due to its weight, at some point I want to upgrade mine to the latest PF lens. Not sure you will be able to find a comparable zoom that will yield the same sharpness though. It is one amazing lens, that's for sure!

 

[Woodyg3]

I too hope it can be fixed, Woody. I love mine, and wow is it sharp! However, due to its weight, at some point I want to upgrade mine to the latest PF lens. Not sure you will be able to find a comparable zoom that will yield the same sharpness though. It is one amazing lens, that's for sure!

It's sharper even with a teleconverter than anything else I could currently afford. I could use VR, though. The PF is just so darned expensive for this retired school teacher.

 

[hark]

It's sharper even with a teleconverter than anything else I could currently afford. I could use VR, though. The PF is just so darned expensive for this retired school teacher.

I know mine is immensely sharp. One of the sharpest that I own, in fact. So what did you teach?

 

[Woodyg3]

I know mine is immensely sharp. One of the sharpest that I own, in fact. So what did you teach?

Physical Education. I still coach cross country.

 

[Danno_RIP]

Sorry to hear that Woody. Hope they can get her back in working order for you.

 

[Kevin H]

Any word yet Woody?

 

[Woodyg3]

Local guy can't fix it since Nikon won't sell him parts. I'm shipping to APS today with fingers crossed.

 

[BackdoorArts]

It's sharper even with a teleconverter than anything else I could currently afford. I could use VR, though. The PF is just so darned expensive for this retired school teacher.

Hope you get things sorted out. I understand about the expense of the PF, but man, it's worth every penny. Sharper with TC's than any of my zooms even at half the focal length. And just 2 lbs with the TC. I can throw it over my shoulder and hike for hours. One lens, one body, two TC's. Wildlife photographer's dream.

 

[Fortkentdad]

Any progress?

McBains Camera in Edmonton AB has one for sale used for $800 CDN https://www.mcbaincamera.com/used.php
I looked at buying it. Maybe I should?

The other thought is re the Tamron 100-400 - looked at that too. Not yet available here, but the Sigma 100-400 one is.
But then I saw this review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWucxpomQqc

Then I thought, I can put the 2x TC on my 70-200 and have a 140mm-400mm 5.6 lens that seems to work fine.
I've tried it and it works fine. A review of that option here: https://www.slrlounge.com/70-200-f2-8-2x-teleconverter-vs-100-400mm/

 

[Woodyg3]

I got the 300mm f/4 back from APS. They "could not recreate the problem" with focusing but they did fix the play in the base of the lens. Only $60. And, I guess that was the problem the whole time, maybe not making complete electrical contact or something, because it seems to be working great now. I did quite a few test shots and it is good and sharp like the "good old days." We'll see if that continues as I use it, but I got some very sharp birds a couple of days ago.

Now I have a little buyer's regret for getting the Tamron 100-400.

 

[Daz]

Wow !! If that has fixed the problem that is a great result!! Was looking pretty dire at the start of the thread !!

 

[Fortkentdad]

I got the 300mm f/4 back from APS. They "could not recreate the problem" with focusing but they did fix the play in the base of the lens. Only $60. And, I guess that was the problem the whole time, maybe not making complete electrical contact or something, because it seems to be working great now. I did quite a few test shots and it is good and sharp like the "good old days." We'll see if that continues as I use it, but I got some very sharp birds a couple of days ago.

Now I have a little buyer's regret for getting the Tamron 100-400.

But I'm sure you will find a good use for this one.

 

[hark]

I got the 300mm f/4 back from APS. They "could not recreate the problem" with focusing but they did fix the play in the base of the lens. Only $60. And, I guess that was the problem the whole time, maybe not making complete electrical contact or something, because it seems to be working great now. I did quite a few test shots and it is good and sharp like the "good old days." We'll see if that continues as I use it, but I got some very sharp birds a couple of days ago.

Now I have a little buyer's regret for getting the Tamron 100-400.

Glad to hear this, Woody! It's one terrific lens! So have you had the Tamron for over 30 days? No way to return it?

 

[Woodyg3]

Glad to hear this, Woody! It's one terrific lens! So have you had the Tamron for over 30 days? No way to return it?

I'm going to keep it. The 100-400 will be a nice lens for travel when I don't want to take the bulky 150-600 on the plane with me.

 

[BackdoorArts]

I got the 300mm f/4 back from APS. They "could not recreate the problem" with focusing but they did fix the play in the base of the lens. Only $60. And, I guess that was the problem the whole time, maybe not making complete electrical contact or something, because it seems to be working great now. I did quite a few test shots and it is good and sharp like the "good old days." We'll see if that continues as I use it, but I got some very sharp birds a couple of days ago.

Now I have a little buyer's regret for getting the Tamron 100-400.

Cheaper than the regret I have for the Sigma 150-600mm Sport gathering dust in the drawer (loved it for the 2 1/2 months before I found the 300mm f4 pf used). Not worth selling for the occasional times when I go somewhere that I can put it on a tripod with a 1.4x, but those times are few and far between.