Nikon 300mm f4 update? « Nikon Rumors Forum

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Nikon 300mm f4 update?

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300mm f4 lens

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bossa

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andyp said:
I hate to think I am getting a bug for longer lenses

That's why I had planned to keep my Pentax glass and just buy a K-5 replacement (probably 24MP) so I could still get some reach and quality from a crop format without spending up on Nikon tele's. Nikon Tele's are pretty expensive and heavy (300/4 isn't though). Also, the K-5 shutter is whisper quiet compared with the D800E.

Sorry for harping on about K-5's.. I'm still trying to get over my betrayal.. LOL

PS: It might pay for D800 owners to keep in mind that there are crop modes.
A 200/2.8 on a 1.5x crop factor is 'the same' as a 300mm F/4 lens on FF.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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Thanks all. I actually had the kirk tripod collar in my cart when I bought it, but I can't do it right now (babies are expensive!). I will get it when I save up a little money for it again.

In the pics the lighting wasn't ideal. It was late afternoon and a combination of sun and shade. I still think it did pretty well. The geese are ugly because they are young ones with premature feathers ;)

I had to rearrange my camera bag last night to get the beast in there. I will post some more pics when I have time to go through them. Or I will just add them to the PAD thread.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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tcole1983 said:
Thanks all. I actually had the kirk tripod collar in my cart when I bought it, but I can't do it right now (babies are expensive!). I will get it when I save up a little money for it again.

In the pics the lighting wasn't ideal. It was late afternoon and a combination of sun and shade. I still think it did pretty well. The geese are ugly because they are young ones with premature feathers ;)

I had to rearrange my camera bag last night to get the beast in there. I will post some more pics when I have time to go through them. Or I will just add them to the PAD thread.

Your 300 is really a 450 on your APS-C camera. When I look at the price of a 500+ I want to run and hide but APS-C can make the hurt go away to an extent, especially where long lenses are concerned.

Posted 10 months ago #
shawnino

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Super images--thanks for sharing them.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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bossa said:
Your 300 is really a 450 on your APS-C camera. When I look at the price of a 500+ I want to run and hide but APS-C can make the hurt go away to an extent, especially where long lenses are concerned.

;) that is why I want a D400 to be released.

Posted 10 months ago #
Eric

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Has anyone looked at the 28-300? KR seems to think it is really excellent.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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tcole1983 said:
;) that is why I want a D400 to be released.

This is why I was hoping to buy a K-5 replacement (which should be 24MP) so that I could get some reach with the glass I already have (at a decent resolution)and they'd all still be VR due to the body. But the D800 can crop to 1.5x so you more or less get a APS-C camera thrown in with the deal when you buy one. There are a couple of other crop modes too... 1.2x and 5x4 modes.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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Wanted to share a couple macro-ish shots from the 300 F4 as well...does a pretty good job I think.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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Eric said:
Has anyone looked at the 28-300? KR seems to think it is really excellent.

KR is in love with all nikon super zooms. He seems to forget there are other things to consider in a lens then just versatility. From what I have read it exhibits many of the same downfalls of the 18-200, lack of sharpness, CA, distortion and vignetting. I thought my 18-200 was decently sharp, but then again it depends on what you expect from a super zoom. I don't think it would compete really in the same category as the 300 F4 at 300 mm.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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I bought the used 300/4 but when I got home and was about to run it through it's paces I heard a horrid noise coming from the focus mechanism. It only happened in one direction and from the few calls I made it was determined that the motor was dying. I returned it straight away for a refund. 4 hours of my time and parking fees etc.. I would have been better off buying a new one. I'm not sure what to do from here.

Posted 10 months ago #
andyp

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I've been thinking of returning the af-d version and getting the used af-s version for $600 more, the af-d incompatibility with the af tc's being a concern (and af speed). But very happy with the IQ of this $400 example. Nice shots T Cole, this thread has me looking at the sigmas as well and I have found this site to be invaluable for the first hand experiences of those that have "tried it all" so to speak.

Posted 10 months ago #
PB PM

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Yup, the AF-S 300mm F4 is well worth the money. After three years of ownership I'm still very happy with it. For those still holding out for a replacement, people told me to wait three years ago, because a new model was coming soon. I'm so glad I didn't wait. ;-) More sample shots for people to drool over.

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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I'm a bit torn because I already have a Pentax FA*300/4.5 but no Pentax cameras. I was thinking of just going and grabbing another K-5 but I'm still confused.

Here's a few quick test shots I fired off outside the shop:

One for Bokeh (another lens at another shop)

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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PB PM said:
Yup, the AF-S 300mm F4 is well worth the money. After three years of ownership I'm still very happy with it. For those still holding out for a replacement, people told me to wait three years ago, because a new model was coming soon. I'm so glad I didn't wait. ;-) More sample shots for people to drool over.

Great shots Robert. I particularly like the last one.

Posted 10 months ago #
NSXType-R

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Hey Tcole, just curious, how's the working distance and magnification of the 300mm f4 as compared to the 105mm macro?

Posted 10 months ago #
PB PM

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Minimum focusing distance is 1.45 meters, so it isn't a macro by any means. Magnification at 1.45 meters is 1:3.7.

Posted 10 months ago #
NSXType-R

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Thanks.

Posted 10 months ago #
tcole1983

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I call is pseudo macro ;) The flower was about as close as it would focus and really because it is so big is one reason in looks more macroish. The dragonfly picture is actually cropped a bit because the pond was fairly mucky and ugly. It is sharp though and shows good detail. I would be interested in seeing it with some extension tubes. The 300 mm working distance would be awesome.

Posted 10 months ago #
andyp

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Robert, fantastic shots (and as noted the last one is so very nice!). I love my af-d version so much I am really struggling to not just buy the afs version. I've decided though I really want the 70-200mm 2.8 vrii and have to get that out of the way first. As a newbie the prices of some of the longer lenses seemed totally mind boggling a month ago but now I find myself wanting to work one of the longer exotic primes into the budget in the next few years. I didn't realize how fun the longer focal lengths could be. I've always loved wildlife photography but didn't consider it my main interest, now, having the 300 f4 I want to make it a lifestyle!

Posted 10 months ago #
bossa

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My D800E has gone off to Nikon for Focal Therapy. The local Tech thought that the camera was the problem and not the lenses. I was going to be without a camera for up to 4 weeks so I went out and bought a new Pentax K-5 at not much more than I sold my last one. That should keep me going for a few weeks.

Posted 10 months ago #