300 mm f4

PB_PM

So, no fluorine love for the 300/4, huh?

http://nikonrumors.com/2014/06/03/nikon-to-upgrade-their-remaining-high-end-tele-lenses-with-fluorine-coating.aspx/

{sigh} Would be interesting to see, anyways. Even if I'm not chomping at the bit for the upgrade anymore.

I don't know that the 300mm F4 would be considered "high end" which might be why it did not make the list.

dissent

I don't know that the 300mm F4 would be considered "high end" which might be why it did not make the list.

Indeed. So maybe if there's an upgrade coming this year it will just be to add VR, and the price jump may turn out to be rather modest.

PB_PM

I'd still expect the price to be on par with the 80-400mm VRII. The addition of an improved optical formula, focusing motor, nano coatings and VR would be enough to put it into that price range.

Photobug

I'd still expect the price to be on par with the 80-400mm VRII. The addition of an improved optical formula, focusing motor, nano coatings and VR would be enough to put it into that price range.

+1 the 300 lens is headed into the high end price range.
(

Golf007sd

@Photobug: the "new" 300 2.8 is sure to be....this has put me in a position I did not want to be in.

CrossLeaf

I really wish Nikon would update the current 300mm f4. But right now, i dont think its a possible option for Nikon since Nikon has lately been focusing on either high end lenses or shitty lenses that targets only the pro consumers and new users.

Elvishefer

@golf - when the new 300 f/2.8 is released, the 'old' 300 f/2.8 will not instantly become a bad lens. It will still be stellar, and, probably slightly cheaper on the used market.

Photobug

Agree with Golf007sd and Elvishefer. Pushing that price into that higher category is going to hurt everyone, even the pros.

If that happens I still expect that the price for a used 300 2.8 is going to climb $500. It will be a buy and people will come out of the wood work to buy one.

Personally the 300 F4 is looking better for me.

Golf007sd

@Photobug: The 300 2.8, moreover, any of the longer prime telephoto lenses, are targeted at a very specific shooter..not to mention a budget that allows them to acquire it. The 300 F4 target market has a wider audience and at a price that is acceptable to them.

I do agree with you that we may see the secondary market of the current 2.8 go up, but only if those seeking the new version try to capitalize on the demand/shortage for the current version be offered. I'm find myself in a pickle as to buy the current one used or wait and see if & when the new one comes out and at what price it will be at. If it is priced close to current version, then all bets are off.

proudgeek

I think you can use the price increase of the 400G to the 400E as a guideline. In fact, it appears that the aftermarket of the 300G is being driven by anticipation of a new 300G. The market seems to be firmer than it was a year ago.

PB_PM

I do agree with you that we may see the secondary market of the current 2.8 go up, but only if those seeking the new version try to capitalize on the demand/shortage for the current version be offered. I'm find myself in a pickle as to buy the current one used or wait and see if & when the new one comes out and at what price it will be at. If it is priced close to current version, then all bets are off.

Hard to say what prices will do. Yesterday I watched the end of eBay auction for a good condition first gen AF-S 300mm F2.8D go for $2200. I think that's the lowest I've ever seen for an AF-S model. Even if there is a price hike for the new model, used models of the current version will likely hang around the original sale price o if nothing else.

Golf007sd

I'm currently looking at a 2.8, which only 4 months old, begging offered @ $5100. Most are holding within a few hundred dollars above or below $5,000.

Nik0n2011

I am now the proud owner of a 300 f/4D.

"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar!"

enjoy !

Photobug

@Golf007sd: I am happy I am not in your shoes. Tough position to be in.

My bet is that the new lens is going up 20-30%. And that will push up the used current models. Stores with the current model in stock should have a run on those lens. Agree with your, price should remain the same.

My prediction, you are going to wait and then when you see the price on the new model you will place your order for the current model. In the mean time you are going to miss the use of that fine lens.

Golf007sd

My prediction, you are going to wait and then when you see the price on the new model you will place your order for the current model. In the mean time you are going to miss the use of that fine lens.

:-B (

tcole1983

Going with the gold ring = pro Nikon...the 300 f4 is a pro lens. It is definitely built better then non-pro lenses.

adamz

IMHO, the current N300/4 AF-S is one of the most underestimated lenses. I had 3 of them (as I have a love-hate relation with it) and for a long time it was "glued" to my d800 (together with TC14). It's a very fast lens, with excellent micro contrast. Sure the bokeh is not as spectacular as from 2.8 but once you learn how to shoot it than you can get stunning results.... and for the price (the cheapest I got was $800) it's only a win-win lens.
Once we will see the new N300/4 vr, I would expect it to be priced at the same level as the new N80-400.

As for N300/2.8 fluorite... well expect 30% price rise at least. The price increase will keep the prices of a used one on a higher level than right now. Don't expect huge price drops. Look at the situation with D3s once the D4 was launched. I still could sell my D3s for the money I've paid for it couple years ago (got a used one).

dcanning

Just yesterday I received from nikon a revised compatibility chart and apparently the 300 f4 is now compatible with the tc 14 III

manhattanboy

Just yesterday I received from nikon a revised compatibility chart and apparently the 300 f4 is now compatible with the tc 14 III

I figured someone at Nikon woke up and realized how much money they were throwing away by having all the 300f4 users NOT buy the new TC. Could you kindly post a shot of the new compatibility chart? I realize that the change is small, but then even a period that replaced a comma can cause quite a stir.

manhattanboy

Never mind, found the chart:
http://www.nikonusa.com/en_INC/IMG/Assets/Common-Assets/Images/Teleconverter-Compatibility/EN_Comp_chart.html

dissent

Funny. I was under the impression that there were contact differences between the 1.4 III vs. the 1.4 II version that caused the incompatibility. Whatevs. The real mystery is that it's been weeks since I bought my 300 f/4D and Nikon has still not announced the upgraded version of the 300/4.

I think I may be losing my touch.

scoobysmak

I almost think the new chart is wrong for the TC-14E III, I look at stuff like product numbers. The 300f/4 has a product number of 1909. The 400f/2.8 ED II has a product number of 2127 and the 600f/4 ED II has a product number of 2133 and both of these lenses according to the list are not compatible. Both of these lenses were produced after the 300f/4, unless the tele-converter has a chip in it to say "yes or no" I believe the list is wrong still, not sure which way, either they all are or are not compatible. If Nikon did make some way for the tele-converter to say "yes or no", that would be just bad business and just a slap in the face, they should have made everything thing compatible if given a choice via a chip. If its a physical limitation I understand but all these lenses will be in the same boat, probably would have done it to save money and cut cost; seems to be the norm in any business today.

The customer always right is like the dinosaur in today's world.

PB_PM

I doubt there is any physical reason why you couldn't mount the 300mm F4 on the TC14EIII, so if it does not work, it must be a firmware "yes/no" situation.

scoobysmak

I was more referring to the 8 Vs 10 pin configuration that might limit the new TC from working but agree that the TC should physically mount to the lens regardless. I do not know what the extra 2 pins are for so if it was AI metering the 2 pins are a moot point.

PB_PM

The extra pins are likely to support lenses with electronic apertures (like the new 400mm F2.8E).