Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens USA

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Nobody has ever written a bad review about this lens, and for a reason. No matter what forum you search for, online store, "professional" reviews, etc, you will allways hear the same. As with the rest of the Nikon prime lenses starting from 200 f2 all the way to 600 f4, they are pure perfection.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I'll be using this lens to shoot motor racing events. Testing it, the images are razor sharp; I don't think that I'll regret saving the cash for this lens versus the VRII. For my purposes, the VRII's better VR is more than I need. We'll see if the quick autofocus will be fast enough for the type of shooting I do. The only downside I've seen so far is the weight of the lens and the barrel diameter. I have small hands and I'll need to be careful mounting and removing the lens in the field.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I purchased this lens to capture the local surfer action. I've only used it a week and am very pleased with the results. I'm able to consistently get clean clear action shots. It's heavier than the other lenses I use, mostly portrait, but I expected it to be so it will just take some getting used to. The biggest plus I've found is the vibration reduction. I'm able to handhold the camera and still get amazingly clear photos. Love this lens!

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I will use the Nikkor 300mm f2.8 mainly for wildlife photography in Africa. Also I will use it for situations that require fast and accurate auto focus such as moving subjects.This lens will be used on a Nikon D3 and D2x.I have had a Nikkor 300mm f4 for several years and it is optically excellent, but the auto focus is not fast enough for shooting moving subjects at 9 fames per second.This lens is rugged and the case is excellent. The case should protect the lens in almost every situation.Since B&H had a VR I version in stock at $1,200 less than the newer VRII, and becasue the VR function is of secondary importance to my photography style, it offered a great value.The 300 f2.8 may be big and heavy, but if you need uncompromising quality and reliabily, this lens will deliver.[...]Thanks you B&H

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Lots of good reviews can be found about this lens, and now it is on my hands can easily understand why. First evening out with it inmediatly obtained beatiful, crisp, sharp images, without or even coupled with the TC-20E III (2x) teleconverter, turning it into a powerful 600mm lens ideal for wildlife photo. Only complaint is the weight as it is built as a tank, hand held is fine just for a few shots, for sure an sturdy tripod is necessary.

For sure can recommend it to friends!!

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

If you need a fast, longer lens that's compatible with a TC converter, then there's really no substitute. i use it with a TC17, which gives me a 500mm f5 lens that's very good quality stopped down to f8, but still highly usable wide open. Its also a lot easier to travel with, and cheaper, than the Nikon 500mm F4. It's aso fantastic wide-open by itself. It's still well within the luggable range, especially with the lenscoat protector rather than the very bulky case. An alternative front lens cover is a must with this lens, especially photographing avian wildlife in rough conditions, when you want to cover the front element between shots - plastic bag with a rubber band works though! The Nikon bag cover always gets stuck coming on or off and is a hassle to use between shots.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

The price was a little steep, but I wanted a sharp telephoto/zoom for sports photography. I went back and forth between this lens and the 200-400 zoom and ultimately settled on the AF-S 300 f/2.8 because I wanted the extra stop of light. I was not disappointed. This lens is razor sharp and the autofocus is nearly instantaneous on both D300 and D700 bodies. It is heavy and expensive, however, it is built to last. I opted for this version over the VR II because the optical formula is the same and VR doesn't figure into the type of shooting that I do (high shutter speeds). Absolutely no regrets about dropping the cash for this sweet chunk of metal and glass.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I have selected this " old" one rather than new VRII version, since optics is the same, the only difference is a slightly better VR and extra 900 bucks for the new version!
Rave reviews on this lens are correct. I have found that with my third party Tamron SP 2x teleconverter (= 600mm f/5.6) images are as good as a 600mm f/4 AF-S II @f5.6!!! What to expect from the new TC-20EIII??
Although heavy, this is comparatively a lightweight AF 600mm f/5.6 with VR for my wildlife photo hunting using a gunstock mount.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I photograph sports professionally and bought the 300mm, f/2.8 lens as my all-sports lens. Whether you're in a small stadium, or shooting on a football field the 300mm lens is perfect. Couple the lens with a 1.4x teleconverter and you have a versatile kit for practically any sport.

When you buy this lens you MUST get a monopod.

Pros:
Crisp Nikon glass
Compatible with Nikon 1.4x teleconverter

Cons:
Heavy, make sure you have the muscles to tote this around

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I use this lens for wildlife and find that it is much sharper than the 200-400mm f/4 lens. VR works great and I can get good images at 1/30 second.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Many people use this on a digital body, however having used it with both a digital D300 and film F100 & N90s I have to say one cannot even begin to appreciate just how good of an optic this lens in until you shoot it on film. I use this mostly for indoor and outdoor track and field meets. I would like to use it more for portraiture.

Autofocusing tracking is incredible, once you set up your camera body correctly.

I have the AF-S I version that is built like a tank, hence I use a monopod.

What is most striking about this optic is how phenomenally sharp it is wide open at F2.8 I have never seen a lens perform so sharply wide open!

Also this lens retains full sharpness wide open with the 1.4 teleconverter - turning this lens into an ultra sharp 420mm f4 optic with good autofocus performance.

If you are into sports or nature or portraiture, I wholeheartedly recommend this lens.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

This lens is fantastic to team with a body such as a Nikon D700. It saves lugging the heavy weight of a 2.8 400mm. You can set the camera to crop, which gives a large enough jpeg for the vast majority of situations. It makes you feel and look like the pro you are!! I love it!

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I use this lens with a 1.4 converter for wildlife, fast, sharp lens. The price is a little high, but a great lens

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Sport
Sharpness
Responsiveness with auto focus
This lens is AWESOME with my Nikon D700!!
I've always shot like a pro, now I look like one with this whopping big lens!!
No filter available to protect lens

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

this lens is amazing. Very fast, sharp focus, i used it with a D2X.
Compare to the f4 there is a huge difference with colors, contrast and the fast focus.
I used this lens mainly for Wildlife.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

I shoot high speed action sports and this lens is absolutely amazing. Having VR is such a treat, now I can shoot racing action that I could not reach with a flash.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Many of the reviews for this type of lens come from affluent, but inexperienced enthusiasts and self-proclaimed semipros, whining about the "weight". I would like to offer some practical advice, not fueled by hormonal lens lust, or amateur fantasies about owning a big, F:2.8 lens to instantly redefine my status as semi-pro/pro.I have owned and sold the non-VR version of this lens. Yes, it's sharp, fast-focusing & consistent; probably more so than the average user can appreciate. But, you expect/pay for this, and it's not a surprise. It handles superbly, probably the best of the Nikkor super-telephotos. Top-notch bokeh comes with ALL Nikkor super-tele's. Another non-surprise, but appreciated/expected. Personally, I never "missed" not having VR. Hand-holding a lens of this size and weight not the norm. If it is then you've waisted your money to prove your manhood. Get a $60 monopod, instead, Mr. Atlas. It works well with all Nikon TC's, but you lose AF speed/brightness, and it's a pain to add/remove TC's in the heat of action. Plus, you'll be stopping down to achieve peak performance, which means you just lost your "fast" lens, right?Personally, I have found this focal length too short to justify the expense/investment of the 2.8 optic, though all my other lenses are 2.8, excepting the 200-400. Of course, this depends on your subject matter/shooting habits/sensor. If you plan to use it on FX, you will find 300mm mostly insufficient for most outdoor sports, wildlife, & close emotion. If you don't agree, then I want to see your photos: I'm guessing you are addicted to cropping after the fact. DX reach improves, of course, but you are using very little of the sharpness for which you are paying. It's too long for most indoor sports. So, why do you want this lens? I couldn't answer this question with purpose, so I sold it. I replaced it with the Nikkor 200-400 five years ago, and I couldn't be happier. I do a lot of zooming from 200-300 & 330-400. The best part: I don't need a TC to get to 400, and I can reframe without moving.Anyway, I hope I haven't burst anyone's bubble. Many aspiring amateurs believe/are told/persuaded to get the mighty 300 2.8, only to find it doesn't really meet their needs. But, if you're looking at spending [$], you should consider spending $6K for a much more versatile lens - the 200-400 - with arguably equal optics. Yes, the 2.8 nice if you need it, but you'll appreciate/"need" the zooming ability far more.If you're serious about outdoor sports, wildlife, etc., then you should consider the 400 2.8 w/TC's, or even the 500. The 300 2.8 a lot of bulk for limited application.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

Used primary for sports - both inside and outside - Very fast lens, very sharp, even at f2.8. Plan on getting Monopod for sports. Great Bokeh - fantastic to isolate subject while taking spectators complementary blur. 1.4 Teleconverter works great, no noticeable loss of quality. The 300mm is perfect for all sports on a smaller field (basketball, volleyball, hockey, tennis) hence works very nicely without the TC indoors. The teleconverter is necessary for larger fields (baseball, football, soccer) but the lens does drop to f4. When combined with the TC, this lens provides a very versatile solution for most sport situations.

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

being a pro photog means we don't have time to miss shots, or play games, this is one of the best lens's in the Nikon arsenal, fast accurate, and down right amazing, great for tennis, or baseball etc., or even when shooting models on the beach, i would be lost with out this lens, BOTTOM LINE YOU GET FOR WHAT YOU PAY FOR IS THIS WORLD, SO ANTE UP, OR GO BACK TO WHERE THE AMATEURS SHOOT FROM AND GET OUT OF THE PITT !!! this lens is a winner !!

Comments about Nikon 300mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF VR Lens:

This is without the best lens I have ever used bar none. Not even classic Leica telephotos rival the brightness, chromatic accuracy, and sharpness of this fat guppy. It has amazing focusing speed and accuracy. The VR system works like a charm. It's performance with the TC20 2x is flawless. With my D200 and the converter a total 900mm eqivalence is achieved with startling performance and results. Simply put, it doesnt get better than this. Drawbacks are obvious, its big and heavy, handholding is possible but awkward at best.
The biggest minus is, of course, its gargantuan price. It costs as much as my first Honda Civic cost in 1983 (really, almost to the dollar)!!!!!! But taking taking inflation into account, I guess its a little cheaper LOL
A lens without compromises for those that must have the best.