Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

The Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S is the perfect "walk-about" birding lens and further improved when used with the 1.7x Nikon teleconverter. Although cautioned by Nikon that this combination will not autofocus, it focuses instantly most of the time when there is good light and contrast. Essentially, you have a highly useful 500mm f6.7 combination that is easily carried in the field and it is much easier than carrying the heavier Super Telephoto lenses.
I usually set the shutter speed at 1/1000 and use variable ISO up to 6400. Mated to the new Nikon D7000, this combination delivers fine results day after day. I often crop resulting shots further and still preserve acceptable feather detail and eye sharpness.
Compared with the Super Telephotos, this lens with a Kirk replacement foot, the 1.7x teleconverter, a Flashpoint monopod and the F2 head is the perfect daily field combination that does not disappoint in any way.
I have the Nikon 500mm f4 Super Telephoto on a Wimberley mount and a Gitzo tripod for my more serious work but this combination is my daily "go-to" for birding and wildlife photography. Modest price and great results - every day.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

Easy to use, exceptionally clear & sharp

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

The perfect prime lens for those who want decent reach, while still being able to handhold it. Image quality is excellent and sharpness is on a par with the monster 400 & up long lenses, but the compact size and relatively light weight make this one a joy to carry around. Paired with a D200, and even with a TC-14 added, it fits perfectly inside a Lowepro Mini Trekker backpack or equivalent.

Image quality is essentially unchanged with a TC-14 converter, while autofocus slows down slightly. But what really blew me away is the image quality with a TC-20 converter: it's very good, the combination can still be handheld if you're a steady shooter and using 1/1000 or faster, and the thing even autofocuses! (At least it does on a D200, with the center sensor and Wide Area AF selected.)

I use it for aviation photography and wildlife and just love it. If you don't need to spend more than 3 times the price on the 2.8 VR -- and if you're not a pro you most certainly do not -- this lens will amaze you. As for the weak tripod collar problem, I solved it for free by jamming an asthma inhaler between the collar's foot and the lens barrel. Works like a charm.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

I bought this lens to shot my daughters mid day soccer games. This lens really delivers. I have never gotten better pictures. Buy this lens

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

A fellow sports photographer suggested that I buy this lens to shoot my kids soccer games. I can't believe how sharp this lens is. The focus speed is fast and accurate. If your shooting soccer this lens is for you.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

As 300 primes go, this one is light and very packable vs 2.8 version. Works extremely well with both 1.4TC and 1.7TC. Makes for a very versatile long-lens setup with TCs, 70-200, D300 and D700. Recommend replacing tripod foot. Add VR and it would be perfect, although you can easily crank up your ISO with these cameras and still get great results. A VR version gets 5 stars.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This is a great lens brought down by a very poor tripod mount. At slow shutter speeds (say from about 125 on down) it is very difficult to get a sharp image due to the weakness of the mount. If you're shooting at high shutter speeds, you'll probably be OK, but when the light gets dim, watch out!There are 3rd party collars available that provide an improvement (at a price - around [$]) from the usual suspects, they are worth the investment if you plan to use this lens in low light.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This is one of the best Nikkor Telephoto Lens which provides a light weight and versatile device for wildlife photography especially for birding. Adding TC14E becomes almost AF400mm f5.6 while adding TC17E becomes AF500mm f6.7 (although AF only possible under stong sunlight).VR may be a dream but I guess if it is a VR lens, the sharpness will no longer equvalent as the current model.[...]

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This is a great great lens I got it at a spectacular deal being used in mint condition for 600. But even at this price this is a fantastic lens for good glass. tight tight flowers and insects are just amasing with this lens. It's a bit heavy but man does it shoot well.[@]

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This is a wonderful lens! I bought it instead of the 70-200 f2.8 VR because I wanted more reach and I like zooms beacause of the flexibility. I use it on a D80 and an N80 and it works great. I have not used it a great deal yet but when I have used it I am really impressed. The IQ is SO MUCH BETTER than my 70-300 f4.5-5.6 VR. As long as you watch your shutter speed (1/500 or faster works great) you should have no problems. I LOVE this lens!

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

I have a nature photography business and this is a GREAT lens - it's light enough and fast enough that I can hand hold it and still get a great crisp shot. I highly recommend it!

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

I am using the lens for bird photography on a D200 and I love it. The only lens I can compare it to is the 80-400mm f4.5-5.6D and I am getting better results with sharper images.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

I couldn't afford the 2.8 VR so I picked up one of these and a Kirk tripod collar. This lens is better than the reviews on the web lead you to believe. I shot a soccer tournament this weekend and being lazy, just stayed at the half. With sufficient light I have pics that are sharp, contrasty and beautifully saturated. The goals are perfectly framed from that distance (using a D200). This lens focus' very fast and produces wonderful pictures. Perhaps the favorite lens in my bag (and I have some really good glass in there).

The only way it could be better is if it was a VR or if it was the 2.8 VR II! I used to own the Canon IS version of this (I switched religions for 8 weeks) and there is no comparison - this lens is better.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

Have used it for wildlife photography on a D2x. Love the lens. Its a lot more affordable than a f 2.8 and with ease with which one can change ISO on digital cameras, its very usable even in low light photography. Have used it handheld and on a monopod and the results are tac sharp. Its also a lot lighter than 300 f 2.8, so one can hike with it. A VR version would be the only reason I would upgrade.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

I've had my 300 F4 for a couple of years (and have had earlier models) and couldn't be happier. I use it everyday to shoot birds and lately have been concentrating on flight photography. I use it with a DH2 a,d a 1.4 teleextender and combined wioth a Manfrotto (GItzo in the US) heavy-duty monopod and ball head it is a combination light enough to carry all day. I'd love to see one with VR!

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

Sharp lens and fast autofocus. If you stack a teleconverter on it still sharp but auto focus is poor or unusable with a 2x. That is to be expected with what ends up being a f8 lens.

Weakness tripod mount is thin. Get an aftermarket one and you will be very happy with the lens

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This lens has been great. I've used this lens for capturing wildlife shots and amazing wildflowers. Combined with the the 1.4, 1.7 or 2.0 converters, the lens can be a 420 to 600mm lens...not to mention the digital conversion factor. Photos are tack sharp and all for a lot less and more portable than a big prime.

Comments about Nikon Nikon 300mm f/4 ED-IF AF-S Telephoto Auto Focus Nikkor Lens with Built-in Hood & Detachable Tripod Mount - with 5 Year U.S.A. Warranty:

This product overall is fantastic. I hav used it for everything from portraitures, sports, photojournalism and wildlife photography. The be. I would definately recommend this to any sports or wildlife photographer that wanted 300mm
lens that is light weight.