Nikkor 300 f4

Hobbit

Senior Member
i hate night shifts as i get bored and start watching all manner of your tube videos :(
i was already to pull the trigger on the D500 and tbh i still am , but after watching one video im think d750 and 300 prime, i get my best shots at 300 as they make me work and i have to sneak up lol
how good is the 300 f4 ? os would i be better saving the money up after getting the d500 ?
 
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hark

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Which 300mm f/4 prime? Nikon has 3 AF models. I own the last two mentioned so can give you firsthand info.

1. The first is the AF-D and is a screw mount (meaning it won't AF on the D5x00 or D3x00 bodies). It's insanely sharp. The down side is none of the Nikon teleconverters are compatible with it, and the AF is slower than the other two models. It's possible a Kenko TC might work, but I'm not sure. It doesn't have VR. It's no longer made so preowned is the only way to go. Mostly likely this would be the least expensive of the three models.

AF-D: https://www.slrlounge.com/oldies-but-goodies-nikon-300mm-f4-af-ed/


2. The second is the AF-S model which is still available as new. It doesn't have VR either but is also insanely sharp. It is compatible with a 1.4x TC by Nikon (and possibly the 1.7x and 2.0x). There isn't any rear glass element (simply the way the lens is designed but not an issue).

AF-S: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/207356-USA/Nikon_1909_Telephoto_AF_S_Nikkor_300mm.html


3. And the third is the PF model with VR. It is also lighter than the other two lenses and the most expensive. Also compatible with TC's.

PF: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1111442-REG/nikon_2223_af_s_nikkor_300mm_f_4e.html
 
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john*thomas

Senior Member
I can't answer your question but I had to chuckle at your post. I also work nights and spend many nights researching stuff. I just got a D750 and did most of my searching while working nights.

P.S. I'm going to have to get a 500mm or 600mm of some sort.
 

mikew_RIP

Senior Member
i hate night shifts as i get bored and start watching all manner of your tube videos :(
i was already to pull the trigger on the D500 and tbh i still am , but after watching one video im think d750 and 300 prime, i get my best shots at 300 as they make me work and i have to sneak up lol
how good is the 300 f4 ? os would i be better saving the money up after getting the d500 ?

Are you saying the D750 or D7500,i had a 750 and 300mm and for bird photography found it all wrong, lens too short and not enough MP for my cropping
 

Woodyg3

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D500 with a 300mm f/4 has okay reach, and with a 1.4x teleconverter better reach. I'll just say that I have a 300mm f/4 with a 1.4 TC and it sits and collects dust as I use my 2-500mm f/5.6 all the time. It never comes off of my D500. I mostly shoot wildlife. The 300 is very sharp, even with a TC, but I have an older one with no VR, and I find VR can be really important for me. The 2-500 is nearly as sharp, and has the flexibility of zoom, which helps for larger wildlife or when birds fly close by. And, I have no experience with the latest 300 f/4 PF, which people seem to really love. Just my 2 cents worth.
 

bandit993

Senior Member
Hark, Which of the two 300mm that you own do you find the sharpest? I like talking to people who have the older versions of lenses as well as newer versions, to find out their thoughts..
 

hark

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Hark, Which of the two 300mm that you own do you find the sharpest? I like talking to people who have the older versions of lenses as well as newer versions, to find out their thoughts..

Without any auto focusing tuning, both are sharp with the AF-S (the one in the middle) slightly edging out the PF by the smallest of fractions. The difference is so slight that most people might not even notice.

I have trigger thumb and trigger finger (forms of tendonitis) in my right hand, and the weight AF-S was just a little too much.
 

bandit993

Senior Member
Thanks Hark. I had heard that the older one was possibly sharper but never know if it is the truth or just trying to justify buying or not buying a new lens.
 

hark

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Thanks Hark. I had heard that the older one was possibly sharper but never know if it is the truth or just trying to justify buying or not buying a new lens.

All 3 primes are extremely sharp with minimal differences between them. I even tried out the first one but ultimately decided I would want a Nikon TC down the road. Plus i have a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. The primes are FAR sharper than the zoom - especially because the zoom tends to lose sharpness above 280mm.

So you would do fine with the 300mm AF-S model. :) It's roughly the size and weight of the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VRii (if you have any idea how that lens feels).
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
Thanks Hark. I had heard that the older one was possibly sharper but never know if it is the truth or just trying to justify buying or not buying a new lens.

Be aware that there are likely variations of sharpness between lenses of the same model. Manufacturing tolerances drive this; without them, none of us would be able to afford a lens.

I own the 300 f2.8 VR AF-S and it is sharper than I can utilize in some conditions. I make sure it is AF fine tuned to my cameras and use a monopod or tripod when I need to and can. I also have a very old Nikkor 300 f4.5, which is a manual focus lens. It is one of the sharpest lenses I own when I can take the time to carefully focus it. For me, it is absolutely useless for in-motion subjects.

BTW, what do you plan to primarily shoot with it? That would factor into the determination of whether to buy the lens or the D500.

WM
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
I have sigma 10-20mm F3.5, Nikon 35mm F1.4, Nikon 70-300mm, sigma 150-300mm C

That's an interesting arrangement of lenses, with the 70-300 and 150-300, although I'm assuming the Sigma 150-300 is the f/2.8 lens.

If so, based upon that focal length assortment, I'd spring for the D500 first.

WM
 

Hobbit

Senior Member
That's an interesting arrangement of lenses, with the 70-300 and 150-300, although I'm assuming the Sigma 150-300 is the f/2.8 lens.

If so, based upon that focal length assortment, I'd spring for the D500 first.

WM
I’ve ordered the D500 THE 150-300, should read 150-600C
 

STM

Senior Member
The D500 is an outstanding body. Although my D850 is my "go-to" body, the D500 also gets a lot of use, especially with my 600mm f/4, when I need some more optical "reach" while doing wildlife photography. Get the grip with a D5 battery and you are all set!
 

bandit993

Senior Member
I just bought a used 300mm af-s F4. It is being shipped today. Should have it in a couple days as it is only a couple hundred miles away, same province. Hope it is as sharp as everyone says. I have a 70-200 f2.8 ans a sigma 150-600C. So should fit nicely in the middle...
 
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