Nikon New AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR

manhattanboy

Thought there will be a lot interest in discussing the new 300 f4 VR with diffractive optics regarding performance, price, etc.

Golf007sd

This will be a welcomed update and enhance Nkon's f4 line of lenses.

NSXTypeR

I think there's going to be a jump of around $500, at least.

I think the last lenses for an update would be the 17-55 and the fisheyes now. Or maybe the tilt shifts and the 24-70mm.

WestEndFoto

The 105 DC 2.0, 135 DC 2.0, 200 f/4 macro and the 17-35 2.8 zoom are all begging for an update.

After that the 14 2.8 prime should be updated. It should perform a lot better given the 14-24 2.8's performance.

And finally, they need to address the Sigma Arts.

dissent

Cool! Look forward to seeing some reviews.

WestEndFoto

"Phase Fresnel"?? What the heck is that????

And it is only $500 more and all pimped out with VR etc.

ano

the price seems to be quite acceptable and the weight is awesome !
This telephoto is very attractive, but I begin already to dream to a dreaming 400 F4 PL ... with a an attractive price and weight ( the canon version is very expensive ...)
anybody else ?

Golf007sd

The power of a Phase Fresnel lens.

Phase Fresnel (PF) lens elements effectively compensate for chromatic aberration and ghosting when combined with ordinary glass lens elements. The PF lens element is based upon the Phase Fresnel lens, which appears to have a series of concentric circles engraved onto it. Utilizing a Phase Fresnel lens element allows Nikon engineers to use fewer lens elements, resulting in a more compact and lightweight lens. Due to the characteristics of a PF (Phase Fresnel) lens that utilizes the photo diffraction phenomenon, when there is a strong light source within the frame or when light enters the lens from outside of the frame, ring-shaped colored flare may occur according to shooting conditions. This phenomenon can be minimized with “PF Flare Control” to be included in Capture NX-D (ver.1.1.0 or later).

Given all that Nikon has put into this new 300 F4, moreover, at this price range ($2000) it is a winner in my book.

donaldejose

This lens looks really great!

Coastalconn

Cute little sucker.. So they threw a magnifying glass in there and cut the weight in half.. That's pretty impressive. MTF looks very good also. Wonder if the tripod foot is included?

jjb930

Here is information on Nikon's official site:
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-NIKKOR-300mm-f%2F4E-PF-ED-VR.html

@Coastalconn - it looksl ike the tripod collar is optional for $223.

Photobug

Yes agree, the lens looks great and the reduction from 50.8 to 26.6 ounces is amazing. Of course, I bet the 50.8 number includes the collar/foot.

I have not made my way to the Nikon web site. At $223 that collar/lens foot better be good. The RRS collar for the old lens is $205. Assuming the new collar for the new lens is the same price or a few dollars more, I would buy the RRS collar/foot rather than the Nikon collar. Lets just hope the Nikon collar is more robust than the current 300mm F4 lens.

Again, I really like the look of the new lens. Can't wait to see the DxO Mark data.

Photobug

Guys and girls, check this out...these TC's are compatible:

AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III
AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III
$499.95

AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
$519.95

AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II
AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II
$549.95

AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
$499.95
Source: Nikon USA web site.

They have both the TC-14E III and TC14E II. That surprised me. I was hoping for the TC14E III so I am happy.

Golf007sd

@Photobug: This new lens uses the same foot/collar as the 70-200 F4. Thus, RRS LC-A12 Lens foot package will be the one to get.

manhattanboy

Given all that Nikon has put into this new 300 F4, moreover, at this price range ($2000) it is a winner in my book.

I agree 1000%!!
Just blew 2 grand on a pre-order.
Poof!! I feel like one of those rappers in a music video just dropping money... its fun till the bill comes LOL.
In all honesty, I could not have asked for ANYTHING better.
And February is not that far off. I'll be keeping my old 300 f4 until then. The sharpness on that old lens is like fine wine, once you taste it's hard to go back to the cheap stuff.
WOW. FINALLY (!!) Nikon gives the people what they want... a little more of that please!!

EDIT: This is also a good resource from the main Nikon site on the lens' technology:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/glossary.htm#pf
I've shot a bunch with the Canon DO lens and flare is a problem. You can't really do anything about direct strong light other than using multiple varying exposures, but my experience for stray light taught me that either a hood (when its mission critical), or a good B&W filter (when its casual shooting) will help cut down on the flare problem for the DO lens.

bryanD7100

The weight saving and VR are interesting but Nikon's taken so long on this release that they have serious competition in the Tamron and Sigma 150-600s.
And if you get 1 or 2 extenders then your in the 80-400 price range! I am sure some people will buy it and be happy but it's not the only player in this price range anymore.

snakebunk

If it performs as great as we think, this is really, really nice! Great price. Great weight.

Will make a great lightweight wildlife solution together with a converter and a pro dx camera

haroldp

RRS collars and feet are much better than Nikon's. I have both and they are from different planets.

Given the size / weight of this new lens and VR, I suspect it will be handheld a lot. Might replace the 80-400G for some of my uses.

... H

NSXTypeR

I was complaining about how much more expensive it was, but considering they cut a significant amount of weight out of it, I'm impressed.

Vipmediastar_JZ

of course GAS and NAS kicks in and while I was interested in a 200 f2 this could be the runner up for the few sports and wildlife that I do. Plus it looks so small and lightweight.

tcole1983

I love my 300 F4, but I want this. However for the amount I use my 300 F4 it probably won't happen. It would make the lens so much more usable though. The VR would make it such an awesome portrait lens.

Ironheart

The VR has a "sport" mode? Any other lenses have that? Also this is an E lens with an electronic aperture control. Nice.

manhattanboy

The VR has a "sport" mode? Any other lenses have that? Also this is an E lens with an electronic aperture control. Nice.

@Ironheart->; look at this video:
http://petapixel.com/2015/01/05/heres-look-vr-sport-stabilization-nikons-new-12000-400mm-f2-8-lens/

As an aside, Thom mentioned this, which is a nice summary:

The E designation indicates the lens itself has a powered aperture (as does the 800mm f/5.6). Speculation has been that Nikon would eventually move from G to E type of aperture activation over time, as the demands of video make Nikon’s old mechanical style aperture changes slightly problematic. The PF is Nikon’s version of Canon’s DO (diffraction optics). PF stands for Phase Fresnel, which is a type of lens element that works to correct chromatic aberration, at the slight expense of vulnerability to flare.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Straight from nikonusa

An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel provides highly accurate electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting. With conventional D/G type lenses, the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.

FrenchRiviera

A wonderful lens for portrait , very light to handle , nice work

Msmoto

This looks impressive:

AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR MTF Chart