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

dissent

Does the new E lens have any glass elements on the camera attachment side? The D lens glass elements are recessed quite a bit.

Photobug

@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.

Fantastic, thanks Golf. I just got approval from the "wife" yesterday to buy the 300mm F4, RRS foot, and of course a quality filter. See my next post about B&H and RRS.

Photobug

Last night I printed all the info on the new D5500, and both new lens. Then went to the Nikon USA web site and printed the entire info for the 300mm F4 lens. Spent a lot of time reading in bed last night.

IMHO, it appears that the Nikon engineers have there act together. Not a lot of changes to the D5500 but their are some really cool new features. However, regarding the new 300 F4. Wow, they cut 3" off the length, cut a significant amount off the weight, gave us not only VR but a Sport mode, and lots of changes in the lens including coating. I am impressed.

As soon as the DxO results are posted I am buying the new 300mm F4 lens. I spent a lot of time on the D55oo last night, will be buying it and the 18-140mm kit for my wife.

This morning I received a reply from Customer Service at B&H. They expect both lens and the D5500 to be in stock on Feb 5th. So the wait on a pre-order won't be long if you commit now.

Also received a note from RRS Technical Support this morning. Once they get a D5500 they will determine if they are going to make the "L" bracket or the straight bracket. Also, once they get the 300mm F4 new lens they will evaluate if they are making a new collar or use an existing collar/foot. Based upon Golf's comment above, the collar is the same as the one made for the 70-200 F4, RRS LC-A12 package. So there will be no delay. I would recommend buying the RRS package rather than the Nikon collar.

For those that saw my note last month regarding the conversation with the Nikon representative on the Nikon 300mm F4 lens replacement...all I can say or do is SMILE.

tcole1983

Curious how autofocus speed will be on the new lens. Improved I am sure.

Funny...looking at the Nikon sample shots the portrait pictures are really the only "good" shots of of the bunch. The couple other landscapes and stuff aren't that impressive. No doubt it will be fine for them...I just always wonder why they use some of the sample pictures they use.

spraynpray

I wondered when Nikon would do the electronic aperture like Canon do and I am surprised that they have enough contacts to so on the F mount. Jolly good Nikon, keep it up.

Vipmediastar_JZ

I liked the portraits too. I tend to shoot the 70-200 at 200 90% of the time. While I did own the 70-300 at one point I sold it to help upgrade to the d800. Having 300mm again would be great as I like to fill the frame.

Photobug

Although I frequently don't agree with KR's opinions, one of the really good things he does is put together excellent comparison charts. This chart compares the seven 300mm lenses. Check out the progression of improvements.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/comparisons/300mm-f4.htm

adamz

finally I got what I wanted from Nikon compact 300/4 - can't wait to play with it

heartyfisher

Not mentioned here yet, but seem like the only issue is with the "blooming" would be great for portraits I think but astro photography and night lights maybe not so good.

Golf007sd

I have a feeling that this new lens will have no problems taking nice sharp images of the moon at night.

MightyY

Anyone else get the pre-order email direct from Nikon that said the price of the lens was $1799.95? Guessing that was a typo as the link brings you to the Nikon order page that clearly states $1999.

Photobug

Anyone else get the pre-order email direct from Nikon that said the price of the lens was $1799.95? Guessing that was a typo as the link brings you to the Nikon order page that clearly states $1999.

They must have changed it, my email from Nikon was for $1999 and change.

snakebunk

Will this type of technique be used to reduce the size of longer tele lenses as well?

Photobug

CAUTION: If your thinking of buying the new 300mm F4 Nikon lens and want to buy the RRS LC-A12 package (designed for the 70-200mm F4 Nikon lens) instead of the Nikon RT-1 collar (Designed for the Nikon 70-200 & 300mm F4) ...I would wait. I have been exchanging emails with RRS Tech Support and this is from their last email.

RRS said: "As you said, the new 300mm f/4 lens will take the Nikon RT-1. However, we would like to test the lens with consumer DSLRs, pro-bodies, bodies with battery grips, and teleconverters to determine clearances and balance and whether the LC-A12 will be the best fit."

"Again, I would recommend checking back with us once the lens has been released and we will also announce any updates on our social media sites."

IMHO....pre order the lens and wait until RRS has the opportunity to complete their evaluation to determine if the RRS LC-A12 is the best option for the new 300mm F4E PF lens.

henrik1963

Do you need a collar at all if you have a pro body? The lens is only 755 grams. The Nikon 24-70 2.8 is 900 grams. A lot of people use the latter lens without a collar when using a tripod.

manhattanboy

Will this type of technique be used to reduce the size of longer tele lenses as well?

Probably yes, but the price will likely be astronomical as Nikon has thus far rarely introduced a new lens at a lower price point than the existing lens. Even the new 300f4 is significantly more expensive than the old version. Same with the 80-400, etc. The reason why the new 300f4 is exciting is really because the old 300f4 was exciting for the price. Hard to say that the 500's 800's etc. fall into that same excitement category. Canon's new 400 f4 DO is supposedly amazingly sharp... but at 5 grand it does generate near the amount of excitement it would if it were 2 grand. In general, Nikon has finally used their core competence (lens optics) to one up all competitors significantly by introducing something tech

tcole1983

Do you need a collar at all if you have a pro body? The lens is only 755 grams. The Nikon 24-70 2.8 is 900 grams. A lot of people use the latter lens without a collar when using a tripod.

Good question. Curious where the balance point would be and if light enough just mounting the body to the tripod instead of the lens. If they make it though I have to imagine that it is for use. The difference with the 24-70 and 300 is you really need it to be stable for 300...and I imagine it still sticks out enough to make it front heavy.

Golf007sd

@henrik1963: Great observation. With its new VR and light weight, I have a feeling hand-holding this lens will be quite rewarding. In fact, it is only .5 inches longer than the 24-70 2.8.

tcole1983

I'll keep my old 300 f4 and talk about the "old" days when we shot without VR and the lens weighted twice as much without a rear element or nano coating pansiness....while shooting backwards in the snow.

Photobug

Do you need a collar at all if you have a pro body? The lens is only 755 grams. The Nikon 24-70 2.8 is 900 grams. A lot of people use the latter lens without a collar when using a tripod.

When used on a tripod, even with this lens I want the lens collar mounted to the tripod not the camera. Don't like stress on the lens mount.

I do agree with Golf007sd about hand shooting. But for shooting on a tripod, with a battery pack with a D750/D800/D810/D4 the center of gravity won't be good and the lens collar for mounting to the tripod will be beneficial. It's all about managing risk and IMHO, I don't want excessive stress on that lens mount.

manhattanboy

I'll keep my old 300 f4 and talk about the "old" days when we shot without VR and the lens weighted twice as much without a rear element or nano coating pansiness....while shooting backwards in the snow.

and walking barefoot uphill both ways LOL. Its hard to let the old 300 f4 go because it is so damn sharp. Nothing else in that price range comes close, and when I shoot it side by side with the 70-300, it makes the latter look like its a soft, missed focus shot.

I do agree with Golf007sd about hand shooting. But for shooting on a tripod, with a battery pack with a D750/D800/D810/D4 the center of gravity won't be good and the lens collar for mounting to the tripod will be beneficial. It's all about managing risk and IMHO, I don't want excessive stress on that lens mount.

I shoot the big, old 300 f4 hand held exclusively. Shooting that teeny, tiny new 300 f4 on a tripod just seems cruel to that little lens

Golf007sd

From my perspective, hand-holding a lens for a shot time is fine...hell I can hold my 300 2.8 for a few shots at a time, but for any long duration of shooting, say at a sporting event or anything that has to do with fast moving objects for a few hours, it is then that having a your lens on a tripod or monopod a God send. It is for these types of activities that I think a collar will come in to play be it this lens or any long focal length lens.

Snowleopard

I am also interested in this lens, do we know if it will work with the tc-20e iii and become a 600mm F/8.0 ? Fresnel lenses have been around for at least 100 if not more years, they are used in lighthouses to focus beams of light so ships can see them off the coast from 5 or more miles away.

From the example photo's I have one really big concern. I am use to the shutter blades creating a star pattern around lights, and from the looks the night time photo's taken with this lens, you get this big ugly halo or globe around street lights and stuff.

In my opinion, that is not good at all. Do we have any more examples of how this lens reacts with street lights or bright spots like the sun or moon, etc.....

Golf007sd

@Snowleopard:

1) Yes it will work with the TC-20E III. Note Photobug post on page one.
2) The shots that you have seen are probably being taken at f/4 or so. To properly get those "star pattern" you will need to use a tripod, set your f-stop to some where between f/12-16, set your ISO to 100 or as low as you can, then set you shutter speed to whatever it needs to be in order to get proper exposure.

spraynpray

It's the aperture blades that cause the star effect Snowy I think this is the first time that the fresnel lens has been incorporated into precision optics though isn't it? Also, let's face it the requirements of using it in a camera lens are a bit more stringent than a lighthouse light!