Nikon 300mm F2.8 AF ED

[PLPhoto]

I've found a 300mm f2.8 AF IF ED lens for sale for a cheap price. I've searched the web and can't find any comparisons of AF vs AF-S.

I have the 300mm F4 AF-S and 2 other AF-S lenses, so I was curious as to what I would lose buying a non AF-S lens.

Does anyone own this lens or have an experience with it?

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[Mason]

I have one and it was hard to find info regarding this lens. I think I can name the folks I know here who have had this lens (just as a reference, you might search for posts or PM them): I bought mine from GBRandy, and he bought it from andreasb. Frits had one for a while, as did JohnnyMG (maybe the same lens). Eng45ine had one that he sold here, and has since upgraded to a 300VR (so he would be a perfect person to ask). The only other person I have run into here who currently has one is BourbonCowboy. I would be interested if there are others with this lens, or who have owned it.

I am very happy with mine, especially as far as “bang-for-the-buck”. It focuses slower, of course, as it is screw driven; however once you lock on to a subject it is more than fine for me. It is tack sharp, as all of the 300 2.8’s seem to be. Because it is non-afs you can’t use the afs TCs with it. Physically they will not mount, you can mod them and they will mount but not autofocus. The Kenko/Tamron TCs work fine with this lens although the EXIF will be incorrect. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/371026-REG/Kenko_K14PRO300DGN_1_4x_Teleplus_Pro_300.html

Feel free to shoot me a PM, or I would be happy to post some pics. I have used the lens for sports and sparingly with the TC for a little wildlife, but I have only had the lens since February.

 

[PLPhoto]

Thanks Mason, any info is good at this point. I really want a 300 2.8 and I don't think I'll care much not having the AF-S version.

Posting some pics or a web link to your pics with this lens would be great!

Thanks again!

 

[Luke_Miller]

I get very sharp results with mine. I shoot wide open most of the time to isolate the subject. Focus speed is fine on my D2Hs.

 

[Mason]

If the price is right, it is hard to beat for a Nikon 300 2.8. I tend to think the focus is a little faster using my D2H than my D200...but I don't think it is a big deal.

Like I said, I have only had it a few months, but here are some samples:

This is a favorite, shot with the Tamron/Kenko 1.4 wide open (f4)
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/139969662-L.jpg


Here is a crop of a little bird in my yard, shot with the 1.4 TC wide open (f4)
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/138359166-L.jpg

These two are heavy crops, with the 1.4 TC stopped down just a bit, ISO 500
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/141564003-L.jpg
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/141564121-L.jpg

A little football spring practice, hand held:
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/137543857-L.jpg


Softball…nothing special:
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/150560989-L.jpg
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/143036304-L.jpg
http://MasonM.smugmug.com/photos/141423244-L.jpg

 

[PLPhoto]

Because it is non-afs you can’t use the afs TCs with it. Physically they will not mount, you can mod them and they will mount but not autofocus. The Kenko/Tamron TCs work fine with this lens although the EXIF will be incorrect.

Are there any AF Nikon TCs that will work with it?

 

[Mason]

Are there any AF Nikon TCs that will work with it?

I can't answer for sure, but I am thinking that the answer is "no". Here is a thread where I ask the same question. Once I was sure that the Kenko/Tamron TCs would work I kind of forgot about it and stopped looking (because I knew I would buy Frank's that he used when he had this lens).

https://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=104542

 

[PLPhoto]

Thanks Luke and thanks AGAIN Mason, you've been a great source of info.

 

[Mason]

I'm just glad to find someone else using this lens (Luke).

Do I have a feeling there may be one more person soon?:biggrin:

 

[billg71]

Bjorn Rorslett has a good quick-comparison chart for this lens and others here:http://www.naturfotograf.com/index2.html

He seems to prefer the AF-S version but you won't find many good deals on them. I think I remember seeing one (AF-S Mk.I) recently either here or on Nikonians for $2,500 or so.

Here's a link to a TC compatibility chart:
http://blog.nikonians.org/archives/Nikonians Teleconverter Table.pdf

I don't have any personal experience with this lens but would like to hear from others who do(like you :smile.

Good luck,

Bill

 

[eng45ine]

As Mason mentioned, I owed a 300mm F/2.8 AF ED lens and it served me well for almost two years. If you can find one at the right price, I say go for it.

 

[Frits]

Yep, I had one exactly like it. I found it to be an outstanding lens with excellent optics. Focusing is not as quick as the AF-S version, but it depends what you use it for. Optically I found it to be as good as anything out there - period.
It served my purpose very well. I sold it because I could not justify keeping it (used it only a couple of times per year, so I got the Ai-S version instead).

 

[lisantica]

I have one of those lenses you mention. I haven't shot with it enough yet to make any critical comments about it. I do like it however. It is very sharp and the contrast is very adequate for my taste.
The price is very affordable on them. I would think you could get one from $950-1800...those are the ranges I've seen them go for with the $950 as a VERY used model with lots of wear.
You mentioned you found one cheap, so I thought I'd put those sell prices as a reference for you.
Let us know what you decided upon.

Lisa

 

[PLPhoto]

Lisa, Frits and Frank, thanks for the info, I've been searching a lot of your galleries and others who have used this lens and it looks like it will do the job.

I'll most likely snag it if things go my way.

Thanks again guys.

 

[BourbonCowboy]

I've got this lens, and I love it. Yeah, I'd love to have the AF-S version, but I can't justify the additional expense. If you're interested in performance, you can check out my site. Go to sports and check any gallery. All of the shots there were taken with the 300. I took down most of my shots when I retooled the site and haven't put them back up as of yet, but it'll give you a general idea.

So, if you're still thinking about getting one of these lenses, I'd highly recommend doing so. It's a great lens for the money, and you will probably be able to recover most of your investment if you ever decide to sell it.

And as for TCs, get a Kenko off ebay for $125. They work fine without much image degradation.

 

[PLPhoto]

Thanks Mark, those images are sharp. Did you use the any of the Kenko TCs in them?

 

[BourbonCowboy]

Thanks Mark, those images are sharp. Did you use the any of the Kenko TCs in them?

Some of them. I'm not really sure which ones. The rest are cropped a bit. I'll be putting more shots back up in the next few days since my site looks naked. You can check back for more examples. In the meantime, get the lens.:biggrin:

 

[martinb]

300 F2.8 Af Ed

Hi...

I picked up one of these earlier this as a replacement to a 300 that was stolen on me...I find the 300 F2.8 ED to work perfectly well on a D200 and D2h...Shooting motorsports and Gaelic Football it is well able to keep up with the action..Good Tack sharp images....I even took my old F5 out and ran some Velvia through it...

If the price is right and the condition of the optics...Go for it.

Regards.

MartinB

 

[PLPhoto]

Well folks, thanks for all the help, but someone beat me to the sale.

Time for plan B, Sigma 300mm f2.8.