New Nikor 300mm VR telephoto lens?

[Jet Jockey]

I read back in August of 2013 that Nikon had filed patents on a new 300mm telephoto lens and that a "production number" had already been assigned. The rumor was that this lens would/should become available shortly afterwards (within a few months). I assumed that by the end of 2013 we would have seen/heard something about this new 300mm VR lens.

So does anyone know if indeed Nikon plans to introduce this new lens anytime soon?

 

[gqtuazon]

It would be nice but at that fl, you will likely be turning VR off using higher shutter speed. Don't expect something cheaper either.


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[Whiskeyman]

I agree with Glenn about the likelihood of a new 300mm hitting the streets soon. The professionals I've discussed the current version of this lens with are very happy with it. One even told me that the only way to improve it would be to make it faster, which would cost an arm and a leg, or to make it 400mm. And by faster, he wasn't talking about a new VR version.

I can't remember where I read it, but apparently Nikon has many patents that they've never brought to market.

The most intriguing aspect of this possibility is what it might do to the used 300 mm market prices. I'm saving for one, and if it reduced current prices, I'd be happy. There's no way I can afford a new one, though.

WM

 

[Jet Jockey]

It would be nice but at that fl, you will likely be turning VR off using higher shutter speed. Don't expect something cheaper either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure I understand your comment.

This new 300mm F4 VR lens is supposed to replace the actual non VR 300mm lens. I thought that the VR lenses help you usually by 2 stops in lower light situations, so why would you want to turn it off?

As for price I'm sure it could be double the price of the present day 300mm. One would want to wait and see what the write ups from the critics say about it to see if the higher price justifies its purchase.

Having read some reviews on the present 300mm, it seems to be a very well accepted lens with very good overall performance but lacking the VR option.

I’m tempted by it but I was just wondering if I should holdout for the new version?

Your insight on whether I should buy the actual 300mm versus the newer version when and if it becomes available would be appreciated.

 

[Whiskeyman]

Are you talking about the 300mm f4?

WM

 

[Jet Jockey]

I agree with Glenn about the likelihood of a new 300mm hitting the streets soon. The professionals I've discussed the current version of this lens with are very happy with it. One even told me that the only way to improve it would be to make it faster, which would cost an arm and a leg, or to make it 400mm. And by faster, he wasn't talking about a new VR version.

I can't remember where I read it, but apparently Nikon has many patents that they've never brought to market.

The most intriguing aspect of this possibility is what it might do to the used 300 mm market prices. I'm saving for one, and if it reduced current prices, I'd be happy. There's no way I can afford a new one, though.

WM

Well they already have a faster albeit pro version of the 300mm lens, the AF-S 300 f/2.8G ED VRII lens with a retail price of $6100 in Canada.

Since I’m not a pro who as the need for such a lens, it is simply outside my budget means.

I think the new f4 VRII lens with its new optics and overall new shorter length body could be an improvement over the present AF-S 300 f/4DIF-ED lens which retails in Canada for $1400.

Like I said before I’m tempted by the actual offering by Nikon which I would use with a 1.4 converter.

I was just wondering if anyone had news on the proposed new 300mm VR lens.

 

[Whiskeyman]

Jet Jockey,

Initially, I thought you were discussing the 300 mm f2.8 VRII version of this lens.

Based upon their 70-200 lens offerings, I guess that the VR version of the 300mm f4 would cost about one-half of the price of the f2.8 version. I also assume it would be based upon their VRII design, and I'm willing to bert that would be a wonderful lens optically.

I'm not a pro, far from it, but I do have a specific need for the f2.8 version of the 300. I can't afford it now, but I'm planning to buy a copy by late August or early September of this year. I shoot moving subjects under less than optimum lighting, and the VR just won't stop action like an 2.8 will. Otherwise, I'd save the cash and go with the f4 version, as well.

BTW, nice name. Are you flyer?

WM

 

[pedroj]

You can always use the older or current 300m F4 on a tripod

 

[Mike D90]

Not sure I understand your comment.

This new 300mm F4 VR lens is supposed to replace the actual non VR 300mm lens. I thought that the VR lenses help you usually by 2 stops in lower light situations, so why would you want to turn it off?

He is saying that a lens in the 300mm focal length would be too slow to use a shutter speed below 1/350th second. VR is only effective at shutter speeds under 1/350th and can actually induce blur/shake on its own if used with faster shutter speeds. So what is the real point of VR on a lens unless it has a fast enough aperture to allow using slower shutter speeds.

 

[captain birdseye]

this rumour seems to pop up quite frequently. no sign of a new version just yet and if it did come about it is doubtful that it would have the same close up attributes as the current version.
i find the 300f4 af-s to be an excellent piece of kit and do not find the lack of vr to be a drawback. in fact it puts the onus on your technique, i find that it has made me a better photographer due to this. (i previously owned the nikon 70-300vr and sigma 135-400 and the 300f4 knocks the spots off them both).

 

[pedroj]

this rumour seems to pop up quite frequently. no sign of a new version just yet and if it did come about it is doubtful that it would have the same close up attributes as the current version.
i find the 300f4 af-s to be an excellent piece of kit and do not find the lack of vr to be a drawback. in fact it puts the onus on your technique, i find that it has made me a better photographer due to this. (i previously owned the nikon 70-300vr and sigma 135-400 and the 300f4 knocks the spots off them both).

Welcome....

 

[aroy]

What is missing in the Nikon line up is the 400mm f4 or f5.6. For fast action shots in good light the 300mm F4 without VR is good enough, it only falters when you need wild life shots at dawn or dusk, where VR will be welcome.

 

[Jet Jockey]

UPDATE... Thank you all for your inputs!

Went out and bought the 300mm f/4 AFS IF ED lens with a TC 14E II Tele Converter lens.

BTW, nice name. Are you flyer?

WM

Yes I am and yes it is my profession...

Here's one of our aircrafts the company owns, a Global Express XRS at CYBG sitting on the ramp after some rain showers (taken with a crappy phone).

Same aircraft taxiing for takeoff in Florence Italy.