Nikon afs 300 F/4 advice please

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Thegreatroberto

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Robert
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Thinking of getting one of these for aircraft photography, so need some advice please.
My nikon lenes are split ( like most) into two types. D or G. With the G's having VR. Maybe I've got lazy, but for me it really does allow the use of lower shutter speeds than you really ought to be able to get away with.
Given the 300 F/4 is a D, is this really a lens that will need shutter speeds if 1/1000 to get sharp shots?
You may think that with fast moving planes short shutter speeds are a given, but then you also need prop wash.
I also notice that these quite often come up for sale on here from £650-£775 ish. So, do people fall out of love with what should be a pin sharp f/4 prime?

I'd likely to be using the lens with a TC 14 to turn it into a 420mm F5.6.

Views please. Thanks.
 
Do a search mate, loads of people who have this lens rave about it. For me, the lack of VR is not a problem, it is sharp wide open and sharpw ith the 1.4 tc, it is no slouch with the 1.7 on it.

I use it as much as I do with my 500 f4. The 420 F5.6 it is with the 1.4 tc is superb.
 
I'm one of the fans of this lens having owned one for nearly 2 years, a great lens that nikon are going to find hard to improve. It's quite light, well made and pretty sharp for the price. It takes the 1.4tc very well, the 1.7tc works ok if you have good light. The 1.4tc is pretty sharp wide open at f5.6, no real need to stop down.

Regarding shutter it depends on how fast your subject is moving and how steady you can hold the camera/lens. I like to use a tripod or a bean bag to steady the camera. I find shutter speed depends on how much a subject is moving, I've got down to 1/125 sec on a tripod/bean bag and been quite happy, for birds in flight then it's always 1/1000 sec or faster.

When you say about people selling this lens on I would think there are a few reasons for selling them (upgrading, wanting a zoom rather than a fixed prime, wanting a new lens...GAS) other than them being a bad lens. For me personally I'm soon to be selling my 300 f4 as I've upgraded to a 300 f2.8 vr1 (I was looking for a non vr AFSII version but couldn't find one so went with the vr1 only for one to come up on here a few days later!!). I would have had no problems with going with a D type AFSII non vr 300 f2.8 if I could have found one. I would love to keep my 300 f4 but cost wise I couldn't and it wouldn't get the use a £700 lens should get as I also have a 70-200 f2.8 vr1. I would highly recommend the 300 f4 to anyone, a stunning lens at a great price.

Some examples are below

1/125, f4 at ISO2200 on a tripod very close to sunset in quite low light.


Late evening Red Grouse by Rob'81, on Flickr

1/200, f5.6 with 1.4tc at iso3600 on a tripod.


Water Vole- A Pipe Dream by Rob'81, on Flickr

1/640, f5.6, ISO1000, taken hand held lying on the ground with 1.4tc.


Brown Hare- So still by Rob'81, on Flickr

Both Black Kites taken at 1/1600, f8, ISO640


Black Kite by Rob'81, on Flickr


Wild Black Kite- Cabarceno Wildlife Park by Rob'81, on Flickr
 
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Great stuff guys, and great shots too.
I have a 70-200 VR F/4 that rakes the TC 14 well. But of course gas the VR that allows me to get away with incredible shutter speeds. And I'll just have to remind myself that the 300 F/4 just must have shorter shutter speeds.
Ok, so as expected no real down sides and most likely sold as part if an upgrade.
So, what's the deal with the white versions? Are they less popular as I never see them for sale second hand? Or is it because it makes them look a bit Canon!!
 
no idea pal, does it matter what colour it is, just get a lens coat on it. I could have upgraded to the 2.8, but the f4 is so light and easy to handhold.
 
The 300mm AF-S f/4 works brill with the 1.7x in all light, Check out my photostream all wildlife shots ( last 6 months ) are taken with it and some in really low light environments upto ISO 4000...

This is shot wide open at f/6.7...

Using the 1.7x on a FX gives 500mm length and on DX gives 750mm

Before someone asks why its not 510mm because the 1.7x converter is really a 1.67x Its just rounded up...
10383419683_eaa28a2fe6_b.jpg
 
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I have this lens and love it for butterflies. I always struggle with birds but that's me.
 
So nothing bad with this lens then. Best start saving
Just interested in the white/black colour thing as I've never seen the white for sale.
 
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