New Nikon AF-S 300 f4 PF ED VR sample photos

[Lance B]

Borrowed a friend's brand new 300mm f4E PF ED VR which he picked up yesterday here in Sydney, possibly one of the first to be sold to the buying public anywhere in the world. It's still early days but I am very, very impressed with it, not yet prepared to say categorically whether it is as good or better than my 300 f2.8 VRII, but so far it seems to be at least as good, but more testing needs to be undertaken. Unfortunately we were at a park where most of the birds were far off so, I mainly used the 1.4x TCIII and a few with the 1.7x TCII, and they performed brilliantly, both in AF speed and accuracy but also giving very sharp results. Most of the shots with the TC's below are wide open!!

Unfortunately, as it isn't my lens, I only had about 1 hour to put it through it's paces as my friend needed to go to a another engagement and I had to (reluctantly) give the lens back. However, we are hoping to go to the zoo on Monday together to try it out mostly without the TC's to see how it performs naked as we can get closer to the birds and animals there. This should really show off how sharp the bare lens is and we can see how good the bokeh and other attributes are and how it stacks up against one of Nikon's best, the 300 f2.8 VRII.

The lens is so small and light weight, especially compared to my 300 f2.8 VRII which positively dwarfs it, but even compared to the old 300 f4 and even compared to the 24-70 f2.8!! In fact, it's almost too small and light, if that's possible, as it is lighter than the camera itself (D810) and it just doesn't seem right that a 300mm lens should be lighter than the camera, especially a lens with such great IQ (so far).

Haven't really tested VR as it was nice and bright today. Hopefully at the zoo we will see how good the VR is.

Here are some tantilisers, some with the lens bare and some with TC's. As I say, they look very very promising!

D810 + 300 f4 VR f5.6
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D810 + 300 f4 VR, f5.6
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D810 + 300 f4 VR f5.6
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4x TCIII, f5.6 wide open!
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4x TCIII f5.6 wide open
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4x TCIII f5.6 wide open!
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4 TCIII f5.6 wide open
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D810 + 300 f3 VR + 1.7x TCII f9
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4x TCIII f7.1
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D810 + 300 f4 VR + 1.4x TCIII f7.1
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[feathers]

They look pretty good with a TC attached. Looking forward to seeing the tests with out the TC. Thanks for sharing.

[Glenda]

Looks impressive.

[CarlR]

impressive IQ, I'm sure aided by your solid technique. I'm intrigued by your comments about the size and weight.

[salnel]

This looks pretty good!! although I love my 300 f4, I am so interested in this lens both for the VR as I do a lot of shooting in low light but also for the lightness!! I will look forward to the next test run!! By the way, terrific shots too

[Lance B]

They look pretty good with a TC attached. Looking forward to seeing the tests with out the TC. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you very much for your nice comments, feathers.

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Looks impressive.

Thank you very much, Lplates.

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impressive IQ, I'm sure aided by your solid technique. I'm intrigued by your comments about the size and weight.

Thank you very much for your wonderful comments and kind words, Carl.

The lens is relatively tiny in comparison to not only my 300 f2.8 VRII, but also in comparison to the old 300 f4 and it is smaller and lighter than the Nikon 24-70 f2.8!!

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This looks pretty good!! although I love my 300 f4, I am so interested in this lens both for the VR as I do a lot of shooting in low light but also for the lightness!! I will look forward to the next test run!! By the way, terrific shots too

Thank you ever so much for your lovely comments and thoughts, Sally.

As I have said, it is so tiny and I'm sure you'd love it.

[I @ M]

Looks impressive Lance, thanks for the real world samples.

[Lance B]

Looks impressive Lance, thanks for the real world samples.

Thank you for your kind comments, Andrew.

[Nick Cliff]

Absolutely remarkable lens in the right hands, great photos, regards Nick.

[Lance B]

Absolutely remarkable lens in the right hands, great photos, regards Nick.

Thank you very much for your kind comments, Nick.

[Norman]

Looks great Lance

Were they handheld images or did you use a tripod etc ?

[Lance B]

Looks great Lance

Were they handheld images or did you use a tripod etc ?

Thank you very much, Norman.

All handheld.

[cupic]

Looks like my 1.4 X TCII isnt going to cut it with this lens.Do you have a chance next time in using or you havent got it anymore Lance
Great set for only 1hr worth

cheers

[Lance B]

Looks like my 1.4 X TCII isnt going to cut it with this lens.Do you have a chance next time in using or you havent got it anymore Lance

I am sure the 1.4x TCII will work perfectly with the 300 f4 VR. Why do you think it wouldn't? On my 300 f2.8 VRII, the difference between the 1.4x TCII and the 1.4x TCII is basically imperceptible. I am sure the same would go for the 300 f4 VR.

Great set for only 1hr worth

cheers

Thank you, cupic. It was probably a little more than an hour, but not as much as I'd liked.

[cupic]

Going by the Nikon Site My Nikon Life
Notes on use with a teleconverter
The following teleconverters are compatible with this lens:
AF-S Teleconverters TC-14E III/TC-17E II*/TC-20E III*

* Autofocus is available only with single-servo AF (AF-S) and then only when the lens is mounted on a camera that supports f/8.

This I think is mainly for older bodies such as D300s D700 that I still have .With newer bodies the 1.4x TC11 would be functional


cheers

[Lance B]

Nikon has often made mistakes with their site with regards to compatibility, especially TC's. However, if I get the chance to test the 1.4x TCII on this lens, I shall do so. If the 1.7x TCII operates this lens, then it stands to reason that the 1.4x TCII also will operate with this lens as they are the same family of TC and have the same functions.

[jjnic]

Very nice. I have this lens on my 'i want' list ☺

[Lance B]

Very nice. I have this lens on my 'i want' list ☺

Thank you very much, jjnic.

[Belly]

Lance, these are wonderful real world samples and a true testament to your ability. Thankyou for your exhibition as I hadn't seen any real world images from someone I rate that would sum up my "I hope this will be a stellar lens" thoughts.

I liked everything about this lens when I saw the spec, especially the weight and the length. Those two factors alone will allow me to pack it in my Think Tank back country style along side my other NIKKORS (14-24, 24-70, 70-200) it isn't much bigger than the 24-70! Put a 1.4x on it and you have a pretty useful focal range.

I never doubted Nikon's ability to dish up another piece of engineering brilliance and you have confirmed that for me

cheers
Belly

PS; it will be on board with me later this year in Alaska

[Lance B]

Lance, these are wonderful real world samples and a true testament to your ability. Thankyou for your exhibition as I hadn't seen any real world images from someone I rate that would sum up my "I hope this will be a stellar lens" thoughts.

I liked everything about this lens when I saw the spec, especially the weight and the length. Those two factors alone will allow me to pack it in my Think Tank back country style along side my other NIKKORS (14-24, 24-70, 70-200) it isn't much bigger than the 24-70! Put a 1.4x on it and you have a pretty useful focal range.

I never doubted Nikon's ability to dish up another piece of engineering brilliance and you have confirmed that for me

cheers
Belly

PS; it will be on board with me later this year in Alaska

Thank you very much for your lovely comments and thoughts, Belly.

I think you'll love this lens, it's sharp, great to use, small and light! Good shooting.