Nikon 300 2.8E...could it be coming to a store near you?

Golf007sd

Ok...so a great majority of our pro-active members know full well that I have been hunting for good deal on the Nikon 300 2.8 VR II. So today I was looking to see what B&H had to offer and look what I saw listed on their site:



Now I must admit...I have no idea how many of these lenses are keep it stock by any major retailer like...B&H, Adorama or Amazon (Amazon says "Only 5 left in stock (more on the way")

So tell me....am I reading to much in to this?

Side bar: No, I have not call any of the distributor to hear what they have to say....

PB_PM

I think you are reading too much into this, the lens was just refreshed 2 years ago.

Ade

The 300/2.8 VR2 came out 4.5 years ago (2009).

The 300/2.8 VR1 came out 5 years before that (2004).

Golf007sd

And I quote: "As one of the most important lenses in the professional's quiver, Nikon updates it about every five years with a new, improved model to stay current."

PB_PM

The 300/2.8 VR2 came out 4.5 years ago (2009).

Wow, time flies when you're having fun, it seemed like it wasn't that long ago!

WestEndBoy

They usually have it in stock, so that is certainly unusual for that lens. The only lenses that B&H is commonly out of stock with is the 800mm, 600mm, 500mm and some of the MF lenses (my 20mm was back-ordered and I notice it is out of stock again).

I also notice the 200mm f4 is out of stock. This lens is out of stock on a regular basis, though it is usually in stock.

Interestingly, both the domestic and international versions of the 200mm f2 are out of stock.

And the international version of the 300mm f2.8 is in stock.

proudgeek

It could be Golf. If you're reading tea leaves, take a look at the used market for the current model. If pros, who presumably might get more advance warning from Nikon than us civilians, knew about a forthcoming release, that could move people to put their current versions up for sale before the "E" version came out.

As for high end lenses being out of stock, this could simply be Nikon's way of playing it more conservative with inventory in response to tough financial times for them.

Gareth

If they knocked some weight off it would certainly be welcome.

I have the VRI, which is just as good as thr VRII imo (same optics). It's not like I'm taking photos of doorknobs, if I need 1/200 i use a tripod.

Msmoto

My guess, as always, is the new Nikon lenses will have some "fluorite" elements, VRIII. Lighter and sharper. When? Who knows. And to attempt to read anything like rebates, etc., is very difficult.

My next lens might be the 200mm f/2, which with the TC-14EII may be about as sharp as the 300mm f/2.8 VRII as one is using the sweet spot of the 200 and the MTF chart is significantly superior on the 200 vs. the 300.

Thus, it might be Nikon wants to bring the 300mm f/2.8 into an even higher level of perfection, which with a TC could be a very usable 420mm f/4 or 600mm f/5.6.

dissent

While I was shopping for my 300 f4, it seemed that all the f4 tele's were backordered at B&H, while the 300 f2.8 was always in stock. This went on for a number of weeks. Now I just got notice that the 300/4 is back in stock (a week after I bought one at Amazon) and now the 300/2.8 is backordered. Yeah, I suppose it could be for a forthcoming update, but I bet the new lens doesn't cost $5800 anymore.

Photobug

From my perspective, I would not read a lot into this back order situation that the replacement is coming soon. At first I thought they are thinning inventory for the new lens then second thoughts. Everyone knows the replacement "E" version is going to be big bucks over the existing lens. Therefore, there will be a market for the current/old lens. Once Nikon's inventory is gone the eBay prices are going up on used lens.

Golf007sd

@Photobug: I cannot speak to the time when the VR II was released to replace VR I, in relation to the price. However, I have found that when a new lens is introduced, the old version price goes down in the secondary market. Current 300 2.8 VR I sell for a few thousand dollars less than a used 300 2.8 VR II.

SquamishPhoto

My next lens might be the 200mm f/2, which with the TC-14EII may be about as sharp as the 300mm f/2.8 VRII as one is using the sweet spot of the 200 and the MTF chart is significantly superior on the 200 vs. the 300.

With the TC it quite easily matches the 300mm in sharpness wide open, what it loses out on slightly is the AF speed. Its not a lot, probably slows it down to the speed of a 70-200mm f2.8, so possibly a negligible issue for some.

Photobug

@Photobug: I cannot speak to the time when the VR II was released to replace VR I, in relation to the price. However, I have found that when a new lens is introduced, the old version price goes down in the secondary market. Current 300 2.8 VR I sell for a few thousand dollars less than a used 300 2.8 VR II.

I concur with the logic. But when the updated model cost a lot more, the used prices tend to climb. New prices remain the same is typical. It's going to be interesting to see what happens to the price of the current 300 2.8.

Ade

Some stats for interest:

300/2.8 VR1 had a launch price of $5799
300/2.8 VR2 had a launch price of $5899

Today the VR2 MSRP is the still the same at $5899, with street price at B&H of $5779.

In the used market, a VR2 averages about $1000 more than a VR1.

Mind you the 300/2.8 VR2 was a "minor" upgrade from the VR1. Both versions are identical optically. The only changes were the M/A switch and improved VR.

Elvishefer

Wow, time flies when you're having fun, it seemed like it wasn't that long ago!

I realized the other day that I've been coming to this site almost every day for almost 5 years... You are not wrong!

Golf007sd

Looks like I was correct. Nikon to upgrade their remaining high end tele-lenses with fluorine coating.

So the question is now: what will the new price be for this new beast and how much will the new optics improve on its performance.

Ade

There are actually four separate "upgrades" possible:

1. Upgrade the lens coating to fluorine as the article states
2. Upgrade some lens elements to fluorite elements ("FL")
3. Upgrade the mechanical aperture to electromagnetic aperture ("E")
4. Upgrade the vibration reduction technology

If they do all four upgrades, I would guess the MSRP goes up to around $7000 - $7500.

ThomasHorton

Man, I wish I could worry about the status of a $5,000 lens.

MikeGunter

Hi all,

@ThomasHorton "Man, I wish I could worry about the status of a $5,000 lens."

I worry about finding my glasses and phone.

I would have speculated some years ago that lenses in that category are marketed, largely, to corporate and government accounts and some private professionals. It would be interesting to see the sales breakdown as to 'who' actually buys the lenses. My guess is that the majority of sales are not individuals.

My best,

Mike

PB_PM

I see lots of 300mm F2.8G VR/VRII's in the hands of wildlife/birders/semi-pro sports shooters. Lenses in that price range (300mm f2.8 VR/200-400mm VR/200mm F2G VR) are still well within reach for those who budget for them. The real big guns 400mm f2.8, 500mm F4, 600mm F4 and 800mm F5.6 might fall into the category you are thinking of.

An amateur birder I ran into said he had to wait 8 months, after placing the order, to get his AF-S 600mm F4G VR, because people with NPS got first dibs on any that came into the country.

Ironheart

Unless you are using these types of lenses on a regular basis, it is far better to rent when you need them. Cost me $100 to rent a 600mm for a weekend last time I did it.

PB_PM

That is unless you find your self needing to rent it, and it's not available.

Ironheart

I guess I'm spoiled. Borrowlenses HQ is 20min away, as is my local camera shop that rents. And there is always lensrenrals. I did get screwed once and the 600 I wanted to rent was unavailable, so I had to suffer through with an 800. Fortunately I had room to take a few steps back :-))

PB_PM

Not many good lens rental options, at least for Nikon gear, in Canada. Most of the big rental places are back east (Ontario), and have 4 day minimum rentals ($317+tax for that period, approx $79 a day for the 600mm). Right now, the 600mm is unavailable till mid July at most of the big dealers. None of them carry the 800mm, so you'd have to settle for the 500mm F4 or 400mm F2.8. Stock is also extremely limited for the super telephotos (maybe 1-2 copies) for the entire country.

waidophoto

Has the 300mm f/2.8 lens been on back-order at B&H since the beginning of this post? This lens is also out of stock at all the local Mike's Camera in Denver. I need to buy a new 300mm lens. My current non-VR lens can't be fixed and my insurance is paying for it (lucky me). The NikonRumor's buyers guide says to wait! I'm thinking this is what I should do.