Comments on: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm F2.8 G ED VR II is so real! So is the teleconverter TC-20E III…

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 12:30:43 +0000

No i just got anoyed by the tone of your comment. It sounds like we live in huts with sheep.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index

About the new 300mm. I wonder how many amateur photographers buy this? If you are a pro your gear is usually bought by your employer. This is why D5000 + 300mm f2.8 kits are kind of rare

By: Jørgen

Jørgen — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:49:32 +0000

Maybe pro sport photgraphers do not paricpate in this poll?

By: Jørgen

Jørgen — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 09:48:24 +0000

The big question is: Who generates most money for Nikon?
1. Sport photographers that actually wears out their equipment.
2. a bunch of amateurs that shout for lences loaded with goodies. And when their wishes are fullfilled they say “What the f****!! That expensive? Well now the old one will come to the aftermarket at an affordable prize.”

By: Bonzo

Bonzo — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:32:09 +0000

3 more to go

Well, I heard in Slovenia salaries are among top in Europe, while living costs are like those in godforsaken countries – or was it the other way around?.

So, you too buying new VRII 300/2.8 for 7000-8000€ or just drooling over like the rest?

By: Nikkor PM

Nikkor PM — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:35:41 +0000

Almost missed this one, Sherlock.

Better luck next time!

By: Jabs

Jabs — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:33:24 +0000

Yeah – lol
I love Nikon too.
I especially love the heavier pro bodies as I am not consumer driven.
On cars, I actually like the Subaru Imprezza WRX – especially the older model. They softened it up lately in America, then changed it back now – go figure.
Rally cars are for people who love punishment.
Test Drive, Dirt or Gran Turismo – for me and not in the cockpit of a real kidney busting car.
I love the Mitsubishi version too with that big bad wing (real car that is) , especially the Recaro seats in them.
My loves -
Recaros – almost any one
Pirellis – PZeros
Konis – shocks, struts
and Nikons – FA with MD15, F3HP with MD4, F3T with MD4, F4s, F5 and now love D3 and D3x.

Oh to dream.

By: Jabs

Jabs — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:20:39 +0000

Off subject – sorry:
Canon 7D rated at DxO Labs
Canon 7D = 64.9
Nikon D300s = 69.8
Nikon D5000 = 72

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/DxOMark-Sensor

Hmmmm!!!

By: Jerry

Jerry — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:23:53 +0000

I wonder of the new 2x treleconverter will work with all nikkors, inlcuding my 80-200?

By: GT

GT — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:09:39 +0000

true…. off topic: BUT !!

A WRC ( world champ champ ) Subaru Imprezza Car is worth USD $ 1.5Million…… Then people / consumers go out buy the Subaru Imprezza WRX STI car and they “think” or “feel” they have the same thing… its the emotions to purchase.

What the pros use… will only make the consumer buy the “lower grade” product….. simple marketing really?

ANYWAY – WE ALL LIKE NIKON RIGHT ? ( so we have something in common )

By: rhodium

rhodium — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:14:32 +0000

Wait for PMA and photokina I’m fairly sure Nikon is going to bring out some big guns there.

By: rhodium

rhodium — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:11:03 +0000

What’s wrong with the “20-year-old” primes? They worked fine 20 years ago, they work fine now, and are still producing great images.

By: rhodium

rhodium — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:08:33 +0000

By: TurningJapanese

TurningJapanese — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 04:27:26 +0000

Lets face it. There are certain products that have to stay “up to date” in any product lineup. 70-200 is one and 300mm 2.8 is another. They are the staples for the pro market. Plus, it looks like this update might not have been very difficult to do. So why is everyone complaining? We all want what we want, but Nikon knows it’s numbers and what products keep the lights on.

By: PHB

PHB — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:56:12 +0000

If you want a 300 f4 then stick the lens on a DX body. Presto, you have a 300mm f/4.

OK so it may be labeled f/2.8 and the ISO will be half the equivalent FX body, but the two optical systems are equivalent.

By: PHB

PHB — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:48:27 +0000

I suspect that Nikon realized that their ability to shift the 24mm and 35mm lenses is not going to diminish after the Olympics. Demand for the 300mm on the other hand is likely to be more time sensitive.

The 24/35 will be completely new lenses, the launch of the 85mm on the other hand will probably have to wait for supplies of the existing lens/parts to run out. In terms of competing against Canon, completing the range is likely a higher priority than updating the 85mm to AFS.

So say we get the 24/35 as expected and there are updates to the 85mm and the 100-500 comes out. What will folk be whining about next?

Oh yes, the f/4 constant aperture zooms. Because Nikon don’t make enough zooms.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:41:15 +0000

Maybe Nikon sees things we don’t?

Your poll suggest there’s less wishes for update in this lens than any other lens, so I suppose Nikon doesn’t go for lens they should be updating, but maybe more for a company Image.

By the way, if possible, I want the four word name of the person above you replied to removed. It means something very vulgar in Cantonese involving something sexual and one’s aging mother.

By: Worminator

Worminator — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:12:41 +0000

“I’m intrigued by the idea that Nikon would make more money by having an inferior system around Christmas.”

Something about leaving a few rounds in reserve.

By: longtimenikonshooter

longtimenikonshooter — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:05:26 +0000

I really want to sample pictures of TC20III on 70-200mm VR2. Can anyone post some sample shots. 300mm f/2.8 VR2 is really nice for image quality but it’s awesome burden to carry it around.

By: fugue137

fugue137 — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:03:22 +0000

Except that I’ve been telling a few friends “If you will want fast lenses, go Canon.” I’m intrigued by the idea that Nikon would make more money by having an inferior system around Christmas. Maybe Nikon has data proving that the entry-level consumer doesn’t usually look at the whole system… or as you say, maybe something came up…

By: blah

blah — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:56:39 +0000

First, I’m not complaining. The post I replied to says “So I fail to see what this “upgrade” is all about.” I believe it’s about doing a small update with minimal engineering effort. That small amount of effort will pay off for both Nikon and its users. As I mentioned, it sends the message that Nikon has confidence in their optical formula (which they have not changed).

Why do I think the optical formula is essentially unchanged? Because Nikon’s press release says: “The lens optics and Nano Crystal Coat so well received with previous lenses have been adopted without modification”

Finally, I’m not in the market for either a $4800 or $6000 lens. While I’m sure they are beautiful, they are — as you note — very specialized tools.

No part of my post is a criticism of Nikon’s engineering or business practice. With a weak dollar, price increases are simply a fact of life. In this instance, the price increase accompanies a modest update to the lens in question.