Nikon 300mm f/4, additional reqs

G

GeordieStew

Messages
859
Edit My Images
No
Afternoon

Looking at treating myself to a new prime.

Either going to be the 180mm 2.8 or the 300mm 4.

If I buy the 300mm, what else will I need to buy with it? I understand the standard collar is pretty poor. I've seen recommendations for the Kirk collar (£200). Then, do I need a different head to be able to support it? Winberley Sidekick? (£250). Another quick release plate?

Thanks in advance
Stew
 
I believe the standard tripod collar is good enough to hold the lens on the 300mm.

Tripod Head? it all depend on what head you using and what tripod leg you using. No point spending $$$ on a good ball head but to find out the tripod leg is bad it won't support the weight. What tripod and head you using atm?

Another quick release plate is personal preference really. Most likely the lens will be attached on the tripod head instead of the camera body.
 
There's been a lot of crit on the Nikon 300 f4 tripod collar, but can't say I've had any problems.

The sidekick is a good mount for BIG glass, but the 300 f4 isn't really BIG... in fact its probably lighter than my 70-200 f2.8!
 
GeordieStew said:
Thanks. So, when mounting this on my BH-1, do I mount the Body on the head...or the Lens on the head? I'm a bit confused.
Click to expand...

When you have a lens with a tripod mount, use the lens mount and definitely not the camera body mount.
 
Mount the lens on the tripod and you will be fine. Do not attempt to mount the body on the tripod when you got lens like that attached.
 
GeordieStew said:
Thanks. So, when mounting this on my BH-1, do I mount the Body on the head...or the Lens on the head? I'm a bit confused.
Click to expand...

I've always mounted the lens to the head (thats what the tripod collars for), never the body. The nikon 300mm f4 a great lens, just check out some of the images desantnik has posted in the motorsport section. Its not a heavy lens easily hand held and works well with the 1.4 and 1.7x TC's which would be recommendation purchases to get.

The prime will certainly make you think more about your shots, i.e. composition and timimg because its not a zoom, but they take fantastic images. Love my canon 300mm f4 and f2.8
 
Never had a problem with my 300 f4 collar either. If you search Google you find reports circa 2000 suggesting a problem but then other reports say they improved the casting of the mount and the problem was resolved.
 
Well, as I said earlier, i've never had a problem and I've used it lots...and lots.
 
There's a couple in the classifieds on here... but you've not been here long enough to play yet :D
 
Deffo buy new at that difference. There have been reports not many but some of issues with the AF-S silent wave motor.
 
GeordieStew said:
Story of my life. Greys have one but at £899, I can buy a new one for £966. Feel a bit daft buying used for the sake of £70.
Click to expand...

Don't buy either... buy from One Stop in HK... 799 delivered.

Trusted supplier, probably quicker shipper and the warranty is the same...
 
desantnik said:
Don't buy either... buy from One Stop in HK... 799 delivered.

Trusted supplier, probably quicker shipper and the warranty is the same...
Click to expand...

Very true I bought mine from HK 3 and a bit years ago.

Cost me £480 inc. a charge from HMRC of £30. (I had the full amount if needed but that was all they charged me).

Should have bought two at that price. Got a surprise to when it arrived it was a Tropical Grey model.
 
Last edited:
Oh and if you want a 1.4x TC, buy the Kenko Pro one and not the Nikon one... apart from a touch less build quality, you'll save about 100+ quid.... I use a Kenko one...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top