NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF

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yorkshirechap

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Hi all,

Looking at purchasing the new 300mm PF from Nikon. I've been reading that there have been some issues with VR at medium shutter speeds on the 8xx bodies, causing blur. This has apparently been resolved with a firmware update for the lens itself. Affected lenses have serial numbers lower than 205101. As per: https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/19448

I just wondered if anyone owns it and has had the firmware update and can confirm the problem has been solved? I hope it has, as other than this issue, it looks fantastic.

Many thanks
 
Meh........mines been on backorder since before Pontious got his Flying license. Im sick as a parrot.
 
Simplythebeast said:
Meh........mines been on backorder since before Pontious got his Flying license. Im sick as a parrot.
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On the bright side, you very likely wont have to send it back to Nikon at your own expense for a firmware update...

Rumour has it Nikon pulled a lot of lenses due to the issue, but thats just what I've seen on the interweb.
 
My 300PF was returned to Nikon for the fix. Seems to work perfectly well at all sensible shutter speeds including 1/125th of a second on D3100, D7200 and D750 bodies. I might try some test shots tonight to double-check but all seems ok.
 
gary, whats the verdict on the lens, over the old non fresnel f4, assuming you owned one.

Really cant decide, the PF is a significant chunk more cash, but the usability aspect seems much improved.
 
Hi yorkshirechap,

Sorry, I have not owned the 300f4 non-VR. That stated, I have owned a lot of very nice lenses over the years so can compare sharpness, AF speed, VR effectiveness etc.. to the top-end Nikon and Canon glass.

In short, the 300PF is an outstanding lens which is well-worth the money IMVHO. I hesitated a lot before buying but having used a friend's I was convinced that it was worth the money.

My view: sharpness is stellar; AF speed is instantaneous without TCs and brisk with x1.4 and x1.7 and ok with x2; VR is good probably a few stops but I have not done the scientific tests but I can easily hand hold 900mm of FL and get good images at 1/160th; the lens is super-lightweight and portable. The latter point is key. I have a dodgy knee so simply will not carry 500 and 600f4s around any longer. Definitely a keeper lens !
 
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Hi yorkshirechap

Depends on your requirements but I can highly recommend the Sigma 120-300f2.8 Sport as well if you want something a lot heavier but very versatile ? All the big primes are of course excellent as well but in a different price bracket.
 
Pretty well decided its going to replace my Tamron 150-600,if i add a 1.4 and improve my field craft i dont think i will be any worse off.
 
Hi Michael

Posted elsewhere here on TP but to illustrate your point above, I took the image below with the 300PF and x1.7 TC earlier this morning. Very pleased with this all things considering including my rubbish PP skills:

DSC_0173_zpsspglzxe2.jpg
 
Hi Bill

I should add that this is about a 50% crop and the focus is on the bird's chest. I had only a large fraction of a second to spot and photograph this fellow. Distance was about 5m or so.

Purely for reference, below is a 100% crop WITH NO SHARPENING APPLIED. Looks great to me but then others may have higher standards ?

DSC_0172_zpsb7crsczm.jpg
 
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They are good when you consider red isnt Nikons favorite colour.
 
Hi Michael

You have these sparrows very, very well-trained. Some fantastic detail there. Hard to separate these out but I think there is a tuch more detail in the 300plus TC image. That stated it is a very, very close call and, as ever, I may be wrong.
 
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BillN_33 said:
well under half the price and half a stop faster at 600mm

which Michael - pros and cons would be good from your usage
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Both very good lenses. Sigma cheaper and a zoom and a little faster at 600mm. Pf is much lighter and versatile as can be used at f4, f5.6, f.6.7 and f8 bare or with any of the 3 TC's.
 
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