300f4 LENS FOR AIR SHOWS

merv

merv

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Mervyn
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I have been getting advice on airshows and often see that people use an 300f4 nikon lens. How does this compare with a 70-300 as I was thinking of getting the 300 prime. I have a D300:bang:
 
I've never used the 300 f/4; but it is far superior, sharper and a lot faster to focus, lens. Also, it can happily take the 1.4 tele-converter; and even with the 1.7 tele. it still maintains sharpness.

The only downside, when compared to the 70-300VR, is the lack of VR .. so, you will need to learn how to hand-hold it and watch your shutter speed.

In all fairness, I don't think it is a fair comparison ( 300 f/4 vs. 70-300VR). They are two very different bits of kit.
 
at sunderland airshow i didnt find 300 mm enough even on a 1.6 crop body , but i most certainly appreciated the zoom , especially for the red arrows finale and the larger aircraft :thumbs:
 
You'll find that the Nikkor 300 F/4 AF-S will spank most lenses (any zoom) - if you ask a Nikon user you'll find out that there's only one better telephoto lens in the world, the Nikkor 300 F/2.8 AF-S :D

I use the 300 AF-S for all my aviation work and I have to say that I've been very happy with it, very sharp and very contrasty, I love the detail that it can produce. I agree that sometimes 300mm can be a little bit short for airshows but anything over 300mm starts to get *Very* expensive. The 300 F/4 will take a 1.4TC quite happily, I use the Kenko one and get good results:

This shot and this shot were both taken using the 300 + kenko 1.4TC

Wail said:
In all fairness, I don't think it is a fair comparison ( 300 f/4 vs. 70-300VR). They are two very different bits of kit.
Click to expand...

Yup - can't argue there. If you don't want to compromise on IQ but can't afford the 300 F/2.8 then the 300 F/4 is the muts nuts, however primes can be very restricting and can also leave a big gap in your coverage. Zooming with your feet, panning and learning how to pick your shots all become important factors.

Hope this helps :clap:
 
Yes that helps. Will the TC1.7 work with the 300f4. I also have the 70-200f2.8 :bang:
 
I believe it will but you might find the AF struggling a bit on all but the brightest of days
 
I've been considering this lens 300 afs (presently trying to save up the cash), however I have not seen anywhere selling this lens (where they have them in stock).

Where did you get yours?
 
Haven't got the 300f4 yet but Grays of Westminster have it:thumbs:
 
I've maybe mentioned this before, but which is likely to be the better bet, tne70-200 f2.8 with 1.7TC or the 70-300 VR. Have both these lenses and will have to think seriously about the 300f4 whether or not there is any advantage:bang::bonk:
 
Sorry, the nikon 70-200 f2.8 VR (£1500 quids worth!!!!):$
Thanks for asking
 
It depends what you want to do really, I'd expect the 70-200 F/2.8 to out perform the 70-300 in every aspect even when taking the TC into account but its not going to be the same as using a prime, particularly when looking at edge sharpness, CA and AF performance.

The OP mentioned your interested in airshows, the 70-200 would be nice for the reds but for single aircraft your most likely going to want to be over the 400mm mark which means using a 300 and a TC - you could possibly look at the 70-200 + 2xTC but thats not a great combo really - teleconverters and zooms dont mix :thumbs:
 
I had the 70-200VR, and frankly I wouldn't pair it with a 2x TC even if it was my only choice. It's just far too soft with that combination.
 
So hyakuhei what are you suggesting--- the nikon 300f4 plus which TC? Is my present 1.7TC OK to use or did I hear someone say Kenko?:bonk::bang:
 
That would be a good start Merv, the 300 F/4 holds it value very well so you can always change it later.

The 1.7TC will be fine, I only have a 1.4 kenko and I'm happy with its performance. You'll get a bit more magnification with the 1.7 but you'll loose some light and I'd expect that the AF would slow a little too but I'd imagine it to be a very usable combination for the summer months.

There's no reason to pick Kenko over Nikon other than the price difference, if I could afford it I've had got the Nikon but the Kenko is very good so I'm quite happy to keep it.
 
I also have the Kenko 1.4 with the 300 AF-S, it is fine:)
 
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