Thinking About the 300 PF

Woodyg3

Senior Member
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So I'm thinking of picking up a used copy of the 300mm f/4 pf. Why?

I love my 500mm pf and it stays on one of my D500s permanently. I have a Tamron 100-400 on my other body that I carry with me most of the time now. But...

The 300mm pf focuses very close, which would be nice for things like dragonflies, flowers, butterflies, and other not-quite macro close up stuff.

The 300 pf is faster at f/4 than the Tammy at f/6.3

The 300 pf is crazy light and compact

The 300 pf will be great for larger animals that sometimes don't fit in the viewfinder with my 500mm.

From everything I've heard, it is a very sharp and fast autofocusing lens, probably better in both respects than the 100-400.

But...

I'd lose the versatility of the zoom

I've heard that the VR isn't great on the 300 pf.

So anyway, I'm just looking for feedback from anyone who owns the lens, or just general opinions.

Thanks :)
 

TwistedThrottle

Senior Member
Just a general opinion here as I don't have that lens.

I've heard the VR issue is with a specific shutter speed, (about a stop below and above 1/125). You might consider buying from a place you can return the lens if this issue is something that would drive you nuts. I've heard it has to do with the mirror flap and if that's the case, I'd be interested to know if putting your D500 into Quiet (not quiet) mode would change the frequency enough to alleviate the problem, (and further, I'd like to know about this lens on a Z via FTZ in silent mode). Might only be an issue with the not-quite macro thing as I would assume you'd be using higher shutter speeds for wildlife, (dragonflies and butterflies included). Might not be an issue at all though, I've heard more positives on this lens than negatives. If it were me spending your money, I'd say go for it Woodie and let us know how it goes!
 

Peter7100

Senior Member
Woody I hope your wife is still not waiting on that refrigerator/freezer will you add more luxury lenses to your collection :playful:
 

floridafan

New member
My understanding is that a Fixed Prime will outperform a zoom from the standpoint of image quality. That is one reason I have picked up a Prime lens for my wife. I was thinking about a 3-400 mm lens as well. I also try to locate quality used when possible.

How do you like you 500mm, do you find it reasonable to handhold?
 
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Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
My understanding is that a Fixed Prime will outperform a zoom from the standpoint of image quality. That is one reason I have picked up a Prime lens for my wife. I was thinking about a 3-400 mm lens as well. I also try to locate quality used when possible.

How do you like you 500mm, do you find it reasonable to handhold?

The 500 PF is the best lens I have ever owned. Crazy sharp, quite hand holdable, very fast and accurate focus.
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Woody I hope your wife is still not waiting on that refrigerator/freezer will you add more luxury lenses to your collection :playful:

LOL. No, still no new refrigerator. She got a new laptop, though, and is quite happy about that.

The problem is that the old fridge still works fine, we just don't like it's size and want an ice maker. Since it works fine we aren't motivated to go. through the pain in the neck of buying, getting it delivered, etc. Oaky, basically we are lazy. :)
 

hark

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Woody, I had issues with mine, and despite being sent into Nikon for repair, it didn't resolve the focusing problem. I cleaned the contacts on the lens, TC, and body with rubbing alcohol which also didn't resolve the issue. So I put the lens away. Then I came across an Amazon brand of alcohol that is only for technical use - not for sanitizing called Solimo 99% Isopropyl Alcohol For Technical Use. I re-cleaned all the contacts with it. That time I removed a tar-like blob of black stuff which seems to have resolved the focusing issue.

The lens is crazy sharp and quick to focus. Plus its weight makes it a dream to carry. It also pairs well with the 1.4x TC. But @BackdoorArts would be the best user of the lens IMHO. Hopefully he will be able to offer an honest assessment. I bought mine based on Jake's stunning images taken with his lens.
 

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
@Woodyg3, I loved them so much I had 2 so my wife could shoot with one without bothering me. I held onto it and a D500 for her when I switched to Canon. Had you asked this 6 weeks ago I would have made you a heck of a deal on it. And a 1.4X TCII if you'd wanted it. How about a backup for your 500mm? ;)
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Thanks, everyone. I think I have a used copy lined up at a great price. I'll keep you informed on how well you all spent my money. :)
 

hark

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Woody, I found a couple of Jake's posts that show his 300mm f/4 PF in action.

https://nikonites.com/prime/40367-nikkor-300mm-f-4e-pf-ed-vr-vs-300mm-f-2-8-vr-ii-2.html#post643464

https://nikonites.com/d500/36698-post-your-d500-shots-5.html#post572252

And here is one of my recent images paired with the 1.4x TC. This was after the lens was repaired and its contacts cleaned.

Rangle.jpg
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
Woody, I found a couple of Jake's posts that show his 300mm f/4 PF in action.

https://nikonites.com/prime/40367-nikkor-300mm-f-4e-pf-ed-vr-vs-300mm-f-2-8-vr-ii-2.html#post643464

https://nikonites.com/d500/36698-post-your-d500-shots-5.html#post572252


And here is one of my recent images paired with the 1.4x TC. This was after the lens was repaired and its contacts cleaned.

View attachment 378089

Thanks, Cindy. You found threads I didn't in my search, much appreciated.
 

hark

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Thanks, Cindy. You found threads I didn't in my search, much appreciated.

I am going to continue to search. I know he posted a number of photos in one of his 'daily' threads after he purchased the lens - I just can't recall which year. So I'll hunt for what I'm after. Besides, I always enjoy going back thru Jake's photos. I've learned more from him than anyone, and reviewing his past images will continue to help me learn since I'm at a completely different level of knowledge now. Years ago I had trouble understanding some of the editing info he posted.
 

hark

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I'm still searching and found this thread of Jake's. Only page 1 has images with the 300mm PF.

https://nikonites.com/project-365-a...-jakes-2020-look-backwards.html#axzz7ZKylqb2Z

And here are a few of mine that I found. Please keep in mind I hadn't done any AF calibration. My editing process as well as sharpening is different now, too.

If you decide to go with the lens and want a TC, the 1.4xii version is what I have (not the iii), and I believe it's the same as what Jake had. I will still look through Jake's threads which I found and see if I can link some of his individual posts.

329319d1579660808-hark-2020-a-_dsc3117-low-res.jpg


329972d1580440007-hark-2020-a-_dsc3638-low-res.jpg
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I'm still searching and found this thread of Jake's. Only page 1 has images with the 300mm PF.

https://nikonites.com/project-365-a...-jakes-2020-look-backwards.html#axzz7ZKylqb2Z

And here are a few of mine that I found. Please keep in mind I hadn't done any AF calibration. My editing process as well as sharpening is different now, too.

If you decide to go with the lens and want a TC, the 1.4xii version is what I have (not the iii), and I believe it's the same as what Jake had. I will still look through Jake's threads which I found and see if I can link some of his individual posts.

Thanks, Cindy! I have purchased a used 300 PF, so I'm not in the investigative mode any more. You have gone above and beyond to help me, thanks! :)
 

hark

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Thanks, Cindy! I have purchased a used 300 PF, so I'm not in the investigative mode any more. You have gone above and beyond to help me, thanks! :)

Good luck, Woody! I'm looking forward to seeing images taken with it. You continually amaze me with your abilities. :)
 
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