Nikon 300mm F/4 ED AF-S Test Image Results

[Markw]

Hey everyone! As some of you know, I ordered a Nikon 300mm F/4 AF-S lens a few days ago. I've had the lens for two days now, and I must say that I LOVE it so far. It's impeccably sharp, I don't see any CA, and the bokeh is beautiful. It's built like a tank as well. That's always good. The AF, both tracking and still is spot-on, fast, and silent. I'll be writing a formal review once I've had the time to fully test it out. But, here are some test shots to fill the time.

The embarrassing part of this test was that for 2/3 of the shots I've used the lens for thus far, I forgot I had -12 focus compensation set in the camera for my 80-200/2.8D. All are including the -12 compensation until otherwise noted. Very little PS done, besides cropping, that is.

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FOCUS COMPENSATION TURNED OFF

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Thanks for looking!
Mark

 

[Derrel]

Hey everyone! As some of you know, I ordered a Nikon 300mm F/4 AF-S lens a few days ago. I've had the lens for two days now, and I must say that I LOVE it so far. It's impeccably sharp, I don't see any CA, and the bokeh is beautiful. It's built like a tank as well. That's always good. The AF, both tracking and still is spot-on, fast, and silent. I'll be writing a formal review once I've had the time to fully test it out. But, here are some test shots to fill the time.

The embarrassing part of this test was that for 2/3 of the shots I've used the lens for thus far, I forgot I had -12 focus compensation set in the camera for my 80-200/2.8D. All are including the -12 compensation until otherwise noted. Very little PS done, besides cropping, that is.

1



FOCUS COMPENSATION TURNED OFF

9


10

11

12

13

Thanks for looking!
Mark

The first images shot with the Focus Adjust at Minus 12 make the images look like crap. Kind of the same effect could be gained by using one of those $9 UV-Haze filters from Walmart.

The bokeh on the squirrel is nice....shows what this lens can do. Huh. An $1,100 Nikkor prime telephoto lens that shoots great with the Focus Adjust turned off. Imagine that.

I hope you enjoy the lens, which you payed $645 for...good deal,no?

 

[Markw]

I felt like kicking myself when I realized I had it still on. I was furious because I knew I wouldn't have much a chance to shoot with it in the coming days. I'll be giving it the runaround this weekend and report back.

Mark

 

[Infinite_Day]

Were you shooting hand held? I have a 1.4TC on mine and found that with that additional reach I can get good shots hand-held with a good shutter speed but I get tack sharp results when I have it rested on something. I'm not the steadiest hand in the world though. I really need to get a good tripod. It's a nice lens for those of us who can't afford a 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR! I'm glad that your's is working well especially at the price you paid for it.

 

[Markw]

Nope. No TC. I wish I had one, though. I was handholding it. It's quite a feat for me, for some reason. I want to look into getting a ballhead for this lens to give me good mobility. All I have now is a 3-way head. And that's a bit fiddly and tedious for bird shooting. A Gimbal head is entirely out of the question, unless there are some out there sub-$175. And I doubt that. I don't think it's really needed anyhow. I'm trying to decide now between a monopod with the ballhead and the tripod I have now (Manfrotto 055xb I believe. I can never remember the exact model name).

Mark

 

[Infinite_Day]

I have a manfrotto monopod that I put mine on with just a tilt quick release head. I have found my monopod to have just a bit too much flex fully extended. I think it would really help to have a remote shutter release cable more than anything while on the monopod. I have the Kenko teleplus pro 1.4 TC and it seems to do very well - no issues with autofocus at all. It also has the chip built in so you get the correct metadata for focal length, etc. I imagine the Nikon is probably much better but the Kenko was a good deal less money. I think you'll be fine with a good, heavy ball head - that's what I intend to get once we get our vacation savings back on track and I have a bit of extra money the wife won't mind me spending. Good luck with the lens!

 

[Derrel]

The tripod collar's foot itself is not a very good design on this lens. Read Bjorn Rorslett's Nikon Lens Reviews for some comments on this lens's tripod foot "issues", and how to counteract them. I shoot mine almost exclusively hand-held, but I have done some tripod-mounted work with it, and the foot does flex--a LOT. It's just not a solid tripod foot system, and needs something wedged between the barrel and the top of the foot. Bjorn has been using empty asthma inhaler cylinders. Almost anything of the correct dimension will work, as long as it's good and solid. I thought that Really Right Stuff or Kirk Enterprises, one of those two, might have an aftermarket collar and foot....I think one of them does...

 

[pdq5oh]

I'm pretty sure Kirk make a tripod collar. It's around $140.