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

BH #NI3004E • MFR #2223
 162 reviews
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens
Key Features
  • F-Mount Lens/FX Format
  • Aperture Range: f/4 to f/32
  • One Phase Fresnel Element
  • One Extra-Low Dispersion Element
Combining long reach and a portable form factor, the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR from Nikon is a prime telephoto that features a unique Phase Fresnel element to greatly reduce the size and weight compared to other 300mm lenses. This element, along with one extra-low dispersion glass element, also helps to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color accuracy. Individual elements also feature both Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings to suppress flare and ghosting, as well as a protective fluorine coating to guard the optical system from dust and moisture.
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Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Overview

Combining long reach and a portable form factor, the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR from Nikon is a prime telephoto that features a unique Phase Fresnel element to greatly reduce the size and weight compared to other 300mm lenses. This element, along with one extra-low dispersion glass element, also helps to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing for improved clarity and color accuracy. Individual elements also feature both Nano Crystal and Super Integrated Coatings to suppress flare and ghosting, as well as a protective fluorine coating to guard the optical system from dust and moisture.

Benefitting the optical design, the lens also features a Silent Wave Motor AF system that produces fast, near-silent focusing performance to suit both stills shooting and movie recording, and which can instantly be manually overridden by simply turning the focus ring. Further contributing to photographing in fast-paced situations and difficult lighting, VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization compensates for the effects of camera shake for sharper handheld shooting. Additionally, an electromagnetic aperture mechanism is integrated into the lens design to provide greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with faster continuous shooting rates.

Telephoto prime designed for use with FX-format Nikon F-mount cameras, this lens is also compatible with DX models where it will provide a 450mm equivalent focal length.
One Phase Fresnel element and one extra-low dispersion lens element work to greatly reduce chromatic aberrations and color fringing; improve overall image sharpness, clarity, and color fidelity; and help to minimize the overall weight of the lens.
A Nano Crystal Coat, along with a Super Integrated Coating, has been applied to lens elements to minimize surface and internal reflections for a marked reduction in lens flare and ghosting.
Vibration Reduction image stabilization helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake by 4.5 stops, benefiting this lens's use in low-light conditions. Additionally, a designated Sport Mode is well-suited to working in fast-paced conditions and a Tripod Mode helps to suppress subtle ground vibrations when working atop a support system.
Silent Wave Motor affords quick, quiet, and precise autofocus performance along with full-time manual focus override. An internal focusing design is also used, where only the internal lens groups are moved during focusing, to maintain the overall length of the lens during use and to promote faster focusing speeds.
Fluorine-coated front element affords protection to the optical system.
Specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with fast continuous shooting rates.

This mechanism limits the compatibility of this lens to the following cameras: D5, D4, D3 series, Df, D850, D810, D810A, D800, D800E, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300/S, D7500, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5600, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3400, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon Z7/Z6 with FTZ, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, and Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1.
Compatible with optional AF-S Teleconverter TC-14, TC-17, and TC-20 teleconverters.
UPC: 018208022236

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

Key Specs
Focal Length
300mm
Maximum Aperture
f/4
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Yes
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Maximum Aperture
f/4
Minimum Aperture
f/32
Lens Mount
Nikon F
Lens Format Coverage
Full-Frame
Angle of View
8° 10'
Minimum Focus Distance
4.59' / 1.4 m
Maximum Magnification
0.24x
Optical Design
16 Elements in 10 Groups
Diaphragm Blades
9, Rounded
Focus Type
Autofocus
Image Stabilization
Yes
Tripod Collar
Removable and Rotating (Optional)
Filter Size
77 mm (Front)
Dimensions (ø x L)
3.5 x 5.81" / 89 x 147.5 mm
Weight
26.63 oz / 755 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight
2.85 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10.1 x 5.8 x 5.8"

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

Almost the AF-S 300mm f/2.8 VRII

By Jeff
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-07-14

It's almost the AF-S 300mm f/2.8 VRII...only smaller and lighter. I own both and each has its place for different assignments. The AF-S 300mm f/4E is my go to lens for travel, hiking, vacations, or environments where a larger and heavier lens would be too intrusive or difficult to carry. The big brother AF-S 300mm f/2.8 VR II for everything/anything else (I shoot, sports, wildlife, now, after a 33-year career as a photojournalist). It takes the TC-14E III and TC-20E III teleconverters really well with a barely perceptible loss of image quality and slight slowing down of AF speed, especially in lower light. This is on Nikon Z9, Z7, and Z6 mirrorless bodies. It also works great on DSLR bodies, Nikon D3S, D4S, and D5, which I once shot with but now no longer have. It even works well using a Monster Adapter on the Sony A1 (Yeah, blasphemy for some but there's no denying that the A1 is a phenomenal, small, pro camera that works beautifully as a combo with this lens). And that's really what the 300mm f/4E is all about. Being a sharp, reliable, tiny gem of a telephoto that can go with you everywhere, with a small form factor, yet delivering big on performance and image quality, no matter what body it's mounted to. I love this lens so much that I have now purchased it twice. My first one served me well for over eight years but was recently retired after taking a hit against a metal post while dodging a line drive. As stated at the beginning, it's not quite the AF-S 300mm f/2.8 VRII...but it's sooooo close considering its portability. When it comes to the images it can deliver, most folks won't even notice the "almost" factor.

Great lens and really light weight as advertised.

By Larry
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-12-27

Bought to replace my 90's vintage 300mm f/4.5 ED, which was a reasonably good lens. The new lens is definitely a step up in sharpness and much smaller/lighter. Testing with my older TC-14A to achieve 420mm until being able to afford an upgrade.

Works great

By Dan
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-10-09

Haven't had it long but focuses nicely on a D850. Light and stable.

Great Optics, Cheap Plastic

By John
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2022-06-27

First, it is a great lens optically. The VR is very good. Ergonomics are fine, nothing to really fault. It is easily hand held. I have the older 300mm f/4 and the 300mm f/2.8 VR, and this is noticably smaller and lighter. The cheap plastic filter threads, lack of an included tripod mount, and small plastic switches for the focus and VR modes seem out of place on a lens that is $2000.00. We'll have to see how it holds up.

wildlife photos up to about 100m

By Rolf
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-05-18

Lens is light and sharp, works well with my Nikon dslr and mirror less cameras except when sun shines directly into the front lens (minor problem mostly & has been described in other articles). Also is working quite well with extenders 1.4 & 1.7 at shutter speeds 1/500 s and apertures of about 8 to 11 or even more. My true rating would be 4.5 , not 5.

Sharp and Light

By Richard
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-02-28

1.5 pounds lighter and three inches shorter than my old Nikon f/4 300 mm lens. It's a pleasure to hand hold. I am using it on a DX body with a 1.4 tele-extender to photograph birds and I'm very pleased with the photos that I'm getting. I'm a senior citizen with a fixed income and can't afford a 500mm or 600mm lens. Also, the VR helps with my arthritic hands and shoulder replacements.

Excellent travel telephoto

By O'Reilly
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-06-23

This lens is compact and sharp wide-open. I use it interchangeably with the D7500 and the Z5. I can pack it on camera in my 10l sling or my 20l backpack. My only criticism is the inconsistent stabilization which sometimes results in slightly off-center images. Overall though, i am happy with the results. I shoot primarily at f4.

Defies the laws of physics

By Chili Parma
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2023-03-18

I truly can't believe the following combination of traits simultaneously exist in this lens, but they do - Super sharp (right into the FF corners) Super lightweight Compact Minimal distortion I remember old (plastic) Fresnel lenses from the 60's and 70's - well this obviously ain't your father's Fresnel lens. Super clean images. What an amazing prime telephoto. Try one, you'll buy one.

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Both lenses are great! If you are very interested in details of your image, it may be important to focus adjust your lens to the camera it is on. The 300mm is a bit faster for lower light subjects and this should be considered. Lastly, it boils down to how far your subject is from you! For wildlife, the 200-500mm is a better lens.
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I am ready to buy this lens. When are you gong to match competition price? Specifically that company that starts with Ador You have the same price but they are offering 2% Rewards and your offering no rewards points.
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Please email us directly at sales@<a href= http://bhphoto.com target= _blank >bhphoto.com</a> with a link to the specified offer for price match requests and we will do our best to match with authorized retailers.
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Will this lens be among those as recommended for use with the D800 body? If so, will it also be compatible with the TC-17E II
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Date published: 2018-08-26

will this 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens work with ...

will this 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens work with Vello Extension Tubes that are Nikon F mount?
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Yes, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens will work with Vello Extension Tube Set for Nikon F mount.
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Is this made in Japan?

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Yes, the Nikon RT-1 Tripod Mount Ring For 70-200mm f/4G Lens (BH #NIRT1) is the correct collar for the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens.
Answered by: Naftoli
Date published: 2023-06-23

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