Do they still make 'em like this?

[fyonn]

Maybe they do, I've not hand any hands on experience with any of nikon's "big glass", but I've just received an old Nikon 300mm F4 (the non-afs variety) and wow, the feel and build quality is amazing. great solid lump that I could probably use as a small club if required. came in a great leather lens case and the lens itself looks almost completely unused.

seems to take some sharp pictures too, and the depth of field at F4 is very fine. not taken any serious shots with it yet, as I only got it today and I need to go out later tonight, but I'll try and use it in anger soon.

After reading several comments ab out the AF being slow, it didn't feel slow to me. either that or the AFS big stuff is even faster (more likely). the built in hood is nice (with the velvet inside), though I might keep a lookout for an 82mm lens cap, rather than use the sock thing.

of course, the next thing I'm gonna want is a teleconverter or two to get some serious distance! I also need to see if it'll fit into my slingshot 200...

dave

 

[fyonn]

oh, incidentally. the lens I got didn't come boxed, but I got the lens, in it's leather case, the little drawer for 39mm filters and a nikon filter, which I assume is clear glass and to be left in if not using anything else.

am I missing anything? anyone know?

 

[NJP87]

I picked up the same lens recently and totally agree, it's very well made and a great lens for the price.

 

[arclight]

Maybe they do, I've not hand any hands on experience with any of nikon's "big glass", but I've just received an old Nikon 300mm F4 (the non-afs variety) and wow, the feel and build quality is amazing. great solid lump that I could probably use as a small club if required. came in a great leather lens case and the lens itself looks almost completely unused.

seems to take some sharp pictures too, etc..............

I had one of those in my film days.
Cracking lens.

Used to have a pic of a swan on my wall that I took with it and had it enlarged to 18" x 27" .......... super sharp.

 

[fyonn]

I've heard this lens works well with extension tubes to enable close focus/macro style work. anyone done this?

dave

 

[HoppyUK]

It should fit in the top pocket of your Slingshot 200.

I would guess that it will also take a 1.4x telecon quite well. Nikon for preference, but the much cheaper Kenko 300 Pro is highly rated.

Extension tubes will be fine, or you might find a much cheaper +1 close up lens does what you need. +2 gets you closer but quality will begin to drop a little.

 

[fyonn]

It should fit in the top pocket of your Slingshot 200.

either your slingshot is bigger than mine, or your 300mm f4 is smaller I just checked the the lens doesn't seem to have much chance of fitting in the top pocket at all. it might well fit in the main body of the bag, vertically, but then I'd need to rejig all the pockets and the camera couldn't default to the 18-200 lens, as they'd be mo room for it. I may still do that of course, but we'll see

I would guess that it will also take a 1.4x telecon quite well. Nikon for preference, but the much cheaper Kenko 300 Pro is highly rated.

the nikon one won't let me autofocus I beleive (as I've got a screw drive lens) so I'd probably prefer the kenko. ought to wait for some spare funds first, but we'll see

that said a shop near me does have an old nikon 2x AF-I TC which I might try, though I'm positive it would be manual focus only

dave

 

[HoppyUK]

either your slingshot is bigger than mine, or your 300mm f4 is smaller I just checked the the lens doesn't seem to have much chance of fitting in the top pocket at all. it might well fit in the main body of the bag, vertically, but then I'd need to rejig all the pockets and the camera couldn't default to the 18-200 lens, as they'd be mo room for it. I may still do that of course, but we'll see

the nikon one won't let me autofocus I beleive (as I've got a screw drive lens) so I'd probably prefer the kenko. ought to wait for some spare funds first, but we'll see

that said a shop near me does have an old nikon 2x AF-I TC which I might try, though I'm positive it would be manual focus only

dave

Sorry Dave! I didn't bother to check the length of the 300. I just know my 100-400L fits, just, but of course that is much shorter when zoomed back in the bag. Apologies.

I don't use Nikon so don't know details, but I suspect the AF on your D300 will shut down when you get a 2x TC on it, making the effective aperture f/8. Most consumer cameras stop AFing at f/5.6 but the semi-pro D300 might be different.