Nikon 300mm f2.8: advice needed

[Arthur79]

Hi guys,

I attended 4 shows this year (Cambrai, Koksijde, RIAT and Spangdahlem) and every time the weather was ==censored==. At the moment I shoot with a Nikon 300mm f4 with a 1.7x TC which is not only a slow combination, but it looks like the autofocus is not as precise in bad weather.

For this reason I am considering the 300mm f2.8 (with my 1.7x TC) which will provide me better shutter speeds, but can somebody tell me if the autofocus will be more accurate? I am looking for a used non-vr one.

Also I am wondering if anybody has ever show handheld a full day without his arms falling off...

Thanks,
Arthur

[EHAM]

I attended 4 shows this year (Cambrai, Koksijde, RIAT and Spangdahlem) and every time the weather was ==censored==. At the moment I shoot with a Nikon 300mm f4 with a 1.7x TC which is not only a slow combination, but it looks like the autofocus is not as precise in bad weather.

That's all quite understandable. A 1.7 TC will slow down the AF a lot compared to a 1.4 TC or no TC. And with the bad weather you probably had little contrast ("grey on grey"), so it's no surprise that the AF has difficulties here, especially with a 1.7 TC.
Though I would never use a 1.7 TC myself anyway, I would certainly not use it if the weather circumstances were not perfect (i.e. blue skies and a lot of light). That's asking for trouble and I doubt if the 2.8 version of the lens will make a significant difference. But I could be wrong .

Regards from a happy Nikon 300 F4 (no VR) and 1.4 TC owner.

[wild weasel]

Hi Arthur,

Another very satisfied 300mm F4 user here. I don't use a TC at all, but intent to buy the 1.4. It's commonly known that the 300mm F4 works very well with the 1.4. Focus and speed should still be accurate in this combination. I don't know what camera you have mounted behind your lens, but it might be good to know that an F4 lens, mounted with a 1.7 TC will not work properly anymore in most cases. I have a D200 which Aperture goes up to 5.6. So an F4 mounted with a 1.4 works out fine. A 1.7 will break it trhu its limits...........so it would be good to know what combination of body and lens you have. A D3s for instance, should not be a problem.....

For that same reason, i can tell you that a 300mm F2.8 indeed will work fine with a 1.7TC, and even will function with a 2.0TC, giving you an aperture of 5.6. But make no mistake, a 1.7 (let alone a 2.0) will decrease the quality in your images....

About the weight......the 300mm F4 is a very lightweight optic. the 2.8 does have considerable more glass and therefor will be a lot heavier to lift weight all day. By the way, it will be better when it's an AFS lens, it is faster and more accurate, but if i am not mistaken the old non VR lens is not an AFS.

Anyhow, good luck on your choice

Cheers

Menno

[68-0037UH]

Can't comment on the older 2,8 Nikon 300 mm versions, but I use a 300mm 2,8 VRII in combination with a TC 1.7. Even with this combo AF is faster than the F4 version (have used that lens before) and hunting is less than with the F4 version IMHO. Optics are excellent even wide open except for the far corners, but this improves when stopped down. This combo can still be handheld for some time in my experience. The 300mm F4 version is still a very good choice, but if you need speed and more reach with a TC you might want to upgrade

[Arthur79]

Hello there,

Thank you all for these very usefull information.

As everybody who uses this lens I am very happy with it; I still cannot believe how sharp it is, even with the 1.7 wide open. I have made pictures with this combo where while zooming in the pixels became visible before the picture became unsharp (isn't this called oplossingsvermogen van de lens or something)?

Off course I know that the 1.7 is supposed to be less sharp and to focus less accurately than the 1.4. However as I wrote above, my experience with she sharpness of the 1.7 is contrairary to that, so I wonder if there is such a difference in focus speed and accuacy. The only way to find out is buying one and test it myself, which is probably what I am going to do first. It will win me half a stop compared to a 300mm f4 / 1.7 combo (and cost me 80mm and half a stop compared to the 300mm f2.8 ) but is a cheaper - and not less important - easier to carry solution. I believe that the 2.8 can be hand held, but as I do some travelling I like the way I can put all this in a normal size backpack...

By the way I use it with a D90, and I was thinking about buying the 300mm 2.8 af-s II. The first one was I believe the first Nikon af-s, the second one had the same optics but was lighter/less well built, then came the VR I and II's. This lens can be found used for around 2200 euro's. Sounds like I reasonable amount of cash but I prefer thinking in depreciation, not in purchase price which makes the hobby a lot bearable haha

Other thoughts are still welcome, esprecially I would like to know if anybody has ever tested both TC's on the f4!

Good hunting!

[Grimmi]

Hi Arthur,

I'm using this 300mm 1:2.8D Lens you are searching, also without VR. Most times I use it with the TC-20EII and I'm very happy with my pictures. The limiting factor in my combination is the old 2003-Body D100 with only 6MP, but its sufficient to make posters out of my pictures and I'm very happy with it.

Nearly all pictures newer than 2007 on Axalp (http://www.airfighters.com/photosearch. ... 5&loc=2618) where made with this combination - and during the Zigermeet 2011 I've also made a Video with this lens, converter and the new D5100 Body here:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg4N2MFq7hc[/youtube]

[Hans Rolink]

Just a newbie here with a recently purchased 300 mm f4.0 AF-S. I combined it with a Kenko 1.4 to give me 420 mm. The Kenko, which did let me down on the 80-200 f2.8 D performs surprisingly well on the 300 mm applied on a D300 body. Not my cup of tea, but for want of "real" aeroplanes I went to the local ultralight field at Vledderveen-Stadskanaal and came back with this:



Maybe you should consider a less powerful extender, leaving you with more light and better sharpness?

Hans.

[Leeuwarden]

Long time ago I used a 70-200-2.8 VR with 1.7 TC. This proved to be a nice combination. So nice I wished Canon had a 1.7.
This shot was made in grey weather in the rain.

[Arthur79]

Thanks Leeuwarden,

Or should I say Evil Bender? Do you have the possibility to e-mail me some full size/not preprocessed pics? This would be highly appreciated. Even though I really really love primes I am also considering a 70-200 VR in the future as I also shoot some motorsports...

Thanks,
Arthur

[Leeuwarden]

I would have to have a look in my archives. PM your e-mail and I'll have a look at it.