Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey Imported

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

This is an excellent lens. I use this to photograph birds (balloon, airplanes, etc.) in flight and wildlife. It takes sharp pictures wide open, even handheld (just be sure to use a fast shutter speed). Focus is fast. While this lens is not cheap, it's worth its price. Also, this light grey version is beautiful.

The only negative with this lens is the lack of rear glass, making it more prone to dust entering the inside element, so extra care is needed in handling this lens.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

I've been searching for a good long-reach solution for a while, I've toyed with superzooms (like the 18-200 VR and similar) and I was contemplating the Sigma 150-500 but I'm glad I got this instead. It's tack sharp even wide open and f/4 is plenty fast. Very pleased with this lens, and it performs well with teleconverters.

My only concern with it, as others may have noted as well, is the exposed aperture blades in the back -- there is no rear element past the aperture blades and I wonder if that'll ever be a problem in the future. From what I've read and heard though, it probably will not be -- they are pretty deep in there so I can't imagine it'll be an issue under the vast majority of circumstances.

The light gray finish is beautiful as well, I was initially skeptical about it but having a lens that isn't in Nikon Black doesn't hurt nearly as much as I thought it would.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Beautiful lens with great results. Mounted to tripod easily. Finally was able to get great shots of birds. If it were just a tad faster in the focusing it would be 5 stars. Trivia: I know black is in but I love the grey.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

- I use the lens mainly for sports (surfing,kite-surfing,etc.) but also for portraits.

- Optical performance is great, even with 1.4X teleconverter. Colours and bokeh are excellent.

- AF-S is not as fast as my 70-200mm VR II

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

I bought this lens 2 weeks ago for sports work, mainly base ball, and it has had a workout since then. First rattle out of the box the tripod ring locked up, took forever to get unstuck. I had read all reviews and didnt order a different collar when I had the lens. I ordered the Kirk replacement collar, got it overnight and have had no problems since. Yes its a little heavy, but I shoot with a monopod any way. Not any heavier than my 70 -200 f2.8 Tamron.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Most people see a grey lens and assume it is a Canon. But this one is definitely a Nikon lens. It is tack sharp, fast-focusing and easily hand-holdable. Some have complained about the tripod collar, but I took it off right away and have not missed having it on there. For the type of shooting that I do a tripod would just be in the way.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

I needed something slightly longer than my 200mm work horse. I wanted a quality lens but could not afford many thousands of dollars.This 300mm F4 fills the bill. I use it for bird images. It's exceptionally sharp throughout its f stop range. It also works very well with the Nikon 1.4 and 1.7 teleconvertors.I know that many people hesitate to purchase gray (import) models of Nikon lens.[...]

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

This lens is used for sports photography. I have the light grey barrel just to try something different.

I've used the obligatory 70-200mm f2.8 along with an occasional 1.4 TC for years. I held off on a 300mm 2.8 because of its high price and the feeling that its use would be limited (even on a second body) due to it being a prime. Lately, I've been getting assignments that take me to afternoon or early evening games where light isn't the concern it would be under stadium lighting. After borrowing a friend's 300mm 2.8, I decided to take a chance on this piece of glass and I'm very glad I did.

Shooting primarily with a D300, I've had excellent results with soccer, tennis, baseball and softball. Focus is quick; images are sharp; smart subject placement produces a very nice bokeh; and, although a relatively heavy lens, I don't find it difficult to handle at all. To be fair, I'm a big guy who even decided to take off the tripod collar. VR isn't a benefit with what I shoot so it's not missed. By comparison, the lens is certainly easier to handle than the larger 2.8.

Aside from the obvious reach of this lens, I'm able to get appealing close-ups of athlete expressions, the intimate details of a collision or the impact of a racquet or bat on a ball, etc. and still have a lot of leeway for cropping if really necessary.

Negatives? Well, the open back end is a concern. There isn't a rear element in front of the aperture. I have a fear of getting dust trapped in there.

Even for a lens this far along in its product life, I would heartily recommend it for daylight sports and wildlife.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

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Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Great priced short telephoto. Works well with a 2x.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

This lens fits my purposes well.

I use it with and without a Nikon TC-17EII on D7000 and D700 bodies, primarily for daytime sports and outdoor shooting. For sports, I shoot at high shutter speeds, all handheld. Late afternoon light can be challenging, but good photos are still possible. Photos are outstanding for color, sharpness and bokeh right out of the camera.

The lens handles well too. It may just be the color (grey), but it feels much lighter than I expected. Before buying it I checked the specs against the Nikon 80-400 and the 70-200 VRII, which I have, so I thought I had a good idea about its weight. It balances well in the hand, which also affects weight perception. I won't hesitate to take this lens on trips.

I haven't used it indoors or in diminished light outside and really don't expect to...I have other lens for those applications. However, I'm confident that if I needed to use it in these situations the lens will perform.

If you need a faster 300mm lens or VR, then spring for the f2.8. I rated this lens 5 stars for its quality and also considering its moderate (by Nikon standards) price.

I still find myself searching for a zoom ring on occasion, but that's my problem, not the lens'.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Sharp focus is a definite improvement over my zoom lens. I can't wait for more opportunity to photograph birds with my new lens. Construction is heavy nikon quality.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Hi,
This is a well built 300mm with wich you can easily get quality shoots.
It is very sharp, autofocus is fast from 3m to infinite and the 1.5m minimal focusing is really a plus.
Of course it would be fantastic with VR an G mount features but then, the price would have be much higher.
Thanks to B&H for providing the choice with the light-grey version (I love it !).
And also thanks for the very competitive price.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Great lens, very well built, autofocus is fast when limited from 3m to infinite.
The tripod collar can't be removed unless you take off a tricky little clamp on the collar'screw.
I love the grey color, even better looking in real than on the pictures.
Over all great lens, to keep for many years.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

im getting ultra sharp images with this lens.... im using this lens for surf and wildlife photography... i take pictures with RAW and even zooming and croping 1/4 an image in photoshop we can see super sharp images!!! tripod collar is not as bad as everyone say..... manfrotto 681b monopod is a good choice to stabilizing this lens...

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Very sharp! Great close focus. Light enough to hand hold.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

the glass quality is wonderful and, for price, the speed is good. But it is a big, big boy to carry around -- not a backpacking lense. I find myself leaving it in the truck more often than not because of the size. AF is a little slow, but then I didn't pay a bazillion bux for the faster model, so I can live with it.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Sharp contrasty and good color. Heavier then 70-300's but manageable. I keep my camera in a backpack when hiking around. I have not tried it on a tripod yet, so I can not comment. I like the quiet focus.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

Works as I expected. Just a little noisy on the focus. My first lens over 200mm so getting used to the movement and use of monopod. A bit heavier than expected.

Comments about Nikon Telephoto AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0D ED-IF Autofocus Lens - Light Grey:

i am a 25 year professional photographer that has almost exclusively used medium and mostly large format film cameras and now use a Phase One Digital Back. For about the last 5 years I have also been using Nikon DX and Canon full frame DSLR's, which has always left me somewhat disappointed in the results somehow (even though I know they are mostly perfectly adequate). This lens has changed all that, it is simply superb. better even than my 300 F2.8 and much loved AFDC and 17-55mm lenses. Not easy to use but that is always the user or that you are asking too much of it, as can be the case with any lens. After all it is a 450mm lens without VR on my DX camera. Get a black one if you want to be really practical but I love my Light Grey version. Get One!