Nikon 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR-II Lens - Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.

2018-10-19T14:10:25

This is by far my best lens. It's unbelievable how fast the autofocus is and how sharp the pictures are. I bought refurbished and cant tell the difference from it being a brand new lens. It was overnighted to me as I had an event to shoot the next day. Again a fantastic lens with fantastic service.

Huey K.

2018-09-08T20:00:00

I purchased this lens a couple years ago & really enjoy it. It's quick and sharp! Using the TC-20E III teleconverter is a game changer :-)

dje1969

Originally posted at

2018-05-09T20:00:00

Finally pulled the trigger on the 300mm f/2.8 along with a Wimberley WH-200 gimble head . Took it to the grandson's baseball game. Amazing results shot wide open attached to the D850. When the action got too close, I switched to the 70-200 f/2.8 on a D810. Looking forward to this weekend's rugby tournament. Should be able to try the TC-14E III teleconverter.

CaymanJim

Originally posted at

2018-01-24T19:00:00

The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II is my first f/2.8 Nikon super telephoto lens. The contrast, resolution, and color produced by this lens is the best of all my many Nikon lenses. Also, with the three Nikon teleconverters, and Nikon FX and DX camera bodies, one can choose from eight different focal lengths and effective focal lengths, depending on the camera/teleconverter combination. Since the lens has a manageable size and weight, it is an easy choice for many types of prolonged assignments. Below is an image taken with a Nikon D500 camera body, Nikon 2X teleconverter, shutter speed of 1/1000, aperture of f/5.6, ISO of 1000, effective focal length of 900mm, Center Weighted Metering, and Auto White Balance.

Scripps23

Originally posted at

2016-08-24T20:00:00

This lens (especially when paired with the TC 2x III) is a game-changer for sure. I have the D500 and the D810, and so with (and without) the 2x TC III my focal length options are 300mm (with the D810), 450mm (with the D500), 600mm (with the D810 + extender) and 900mm (with the D500 + extender). And ALL giving me exquisite quality! This has opened up new horizons for me, and the results are superb. This is a great lens by itself, but a little short at times. With the 2xTC III, the 300mm is the most versatile lens I have ever owned, especially so with a DX and FX camera. Could not recommend this lens highly enough.

JohnK007

Originally posted at

2015-08-14T20:00:00

I was finally able to order my Nikon 300mm F2.8 VR II lens in July 2015 from B & H and received it here in Nigeria on the 10th of August 2015. It is a wonderful lens. Autofocuses even with the 2.0III teleconverter. I got shooting with it right away and the Bokeh this lens produces is so rich and creamy. I bought to shoot wildlife , birds and also for portraits. Looking forward to pairing it with a Nikon d4 or D4s. Will recommend this lens to anyone interested in excellent portraits, sports and wildlife pictures.

Babs69

Originally posted at

2015-03-03T19:00:00

I bought this lens 4yrs ago as an upgrade from the very good 300f4. I do wildlife in Africa so this lens with the 3 converters is the most flexible and cost effective lens available. IQ is stunning even with the TC's. I use it now with a Nikon D810 and often use the 1.2 crop mode as it gives more speed, smaller files if I shoot 1000 images on a daytrip and if I need a little extra "reach" Yes I know you can crop but I prefer to frame the images in viewfinder. Using it without the TC's on the FX D810 for landscapes, portraits or wildlife at closer range produce results that might just be tipped by the new 400f2.8. This combination, D810 with 300f2.8 is a marriage made in heaven.

JamesPics

Originally posted at

2015-02-26T19:00:00

Fast, responsive, VR and really not that heavy. I've used this hand held, with formal support (mono or tripod), or simply leaning on a tree, car door frame, or my knees sitting on the ground. Pairing it with a 1.4x tele still gives great results. Its the high quality images with the ability to be quickly mobile and use this lens hand-held which makes it great for wildlife in all sorts of environments. Could I shoot all day without support-no. A few hours is no problem. Also packs very well in my camera back-pack with the reversible lens hood attachment.

NikonForFun

Originally posted at

2014-10-25T20:00:00

I have wanted this lens for a long while. I have the 24-70 2.8 and the 70-200mm vr11 new lens as well. I am so happy with the results with my sports photography with this lens. The color and bokeh are outstanding. i am now looking for the 400mm 2.8 lens next. Dont wait buy it you wont be sorry.

brianpd52

Originally posted at

2014-10-13T20:00:00

This lens is the standard by which other lenses should be measured. Superb in every respect, like color rendering, bokeh, sharpness, virtually no CA, VR, AF speed and accuracy. I have a raft of pro spec Nikon lenses, but the 300 f2.8 VRII is the best of the all of them. Adding the 1.4x TCII (or now the 1.4x TCIII) gives you a 420mm f4 with basically no penaly in IQ or AF speed or accuracy. This just makes the 300mm f2.8 VRII that much more versatile. I cannot recommend this lens highly enough.

LanceB

Originally posted at

2014-06-30T20:00:00

This lens is the benchmark for measuring the quality of other lenses on the market, speed and focus accuracy is amazing and the sharpness and contrast is striking. Certainly can be used for shooting handheld because VRII works perfectly. When used with D800E the possibilities are endless with remarkable cropping power. The Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II is a bokeh champion it produces exceptionally good-looking background blur, especially wide open at maximum aperture of f/2.8 and higher.

JohnC

Originally posted at

2013-10-13T20:00:00

I read hundreds of reviews before purchasing this lens and I can attest that the praise this lens receives is warranted. This is a workhorse lens. Very fast auto focus. Very sharp images with proper holding/mounting. I put it through it's rigors w/D800 and I cannot see any vignetting or other aberrations. Accurate color representation. Impressive in low light. Of note: The case it comes with is impressive too. Padded of course, with shoulder strap, handle for hand carry and velcro for attaching to belt or whatever...

Kiter

Originally posted at

2013-09-16T20:00:00

I have had zooms before, and in fact I have the 70-300 zoom that came with my d600 kit. This guy is in a completely different league. Just got it today and tried some handheld shots playing around. It is big and relatively heavy but the stabilization works wonders.

jowdawg02

Originally posted at

2013-06-11T20:00:00

Please see the attached graphs. I used LensAlign and FocusTune to test the Nikkor 300mm f2.8G ED VRII lens, Serial Number 209819. The lens was mounted on an Arca-Swiss Z1G (giant) monoball and Gitzo 5000 series carbon-fiber legs, at a height of 42 inches. The ISO was 1600 and the shutter speed was 1/320. The lens-to-target distance was 26 feet and I used a shutter release cable. The camera body was a Nikon D4 that last week came back from Nikon NY after being adjusted for a back-focusing issue. For an overview of the lens AF performance, I took 4 shots at each micro-adjustment value from minus 20 to plus 20 in steps of 5 units. Based on this overview test and to look for a peak in the curve, I took 9 shots at each micro-adjustment value from plus 10 to plus 20 in steps of 2 units. As you can see both curves go up from left to right, but do not come down. This means, there is no peak. Conclusion, this high-priced lens is focusing in front of the target by greater than 20 micro-adjustment units. If this was my first such experience, I would not be so appalled. Sad to say, that last month I tested a new Nikkor 85mm 1.8D lens, only to find that it was focusing behind the target by greater than minus 20 micro-adjustment units. This 300mm f2.8G ED VRII lens, Serial Number 209819, was returned to B&H (RMA) for a new lens. The B&H representative was very professional. He said, it happens. I tested the replacement 300mm f2.8G ED VRII lens, Serial Number 209868, in exactly the same way that was used for the defective lens. The replacement lens (209868) was also front focusing, but not as badly as the defective lens. The replacement lens could be adjusted for accurate focus on the target with the AF micro-adjustment set to plus 16. Can we pro photographers trust Nikon’s quality control? Yes, but verify. The 300mm f2.8G ED VRII image sharpness is impressive. The service from B&H is also impressive.

JLT3

Originally posted at

2013-05-28T20:00:00

I have only been able to get clear shots with the VR turned off. On a tripod I have experienced double imaging with the VR on. This is 2 images about 1/8th of an inch apart directly up and down from each other. This lens takes more learning to get it to do what you need that my other lenses. Focusing has been a challenge. Depth of field takes some getting use to. At 10 meters f/8 at small bird (Chickadee) will be only be partly focused. I am sure this is a capable lens and may take some getting use to. The filter slot doe not have a circular adjustment knob, although Nikon sells one. Using a Nikon Polarized filter is a problem without the ability to adjust the filter. Having this as an option(a pricey one) on a lense at this price range is not comforting. I have had this in for service for the VR issue and they say there is nothing wrong. I have owned this for 1-1/2 years now.

Alan

Originally posted at

2012-09-27T20:00:00

I have had the lens for less than a month, and am extremely pleased with its performance, which I consider to be a five star. However, the carryiing strap padding is woefully inadequate and the webbing is already showing signs of wear where it passes through the slots on the lens, which have sharp edges rather than being rounded. I am considering a Kevlar webbed well padded strap by another manufacturer. So, in saying that I would recommend the lens, such a recommendation would be accompanied by this serious concern.

perplexed

Originally posted at

2012-07-20T20:00:00

If your name of the game is wildlife in action this lens is for you. Birds in flight, ext, ext

Leo

Originally posted at

2011-08-07T20:00:00

This lens was on my bucket list since the late 1970s when a friend had one on a shoot with me and let me try it. I finally purchased one. I have to say this glass is the finest glass I've ever owned bar none. If I do my part, it can produce brilliant images with amazing micro contrast and tonal blending. It's also razor sharp wherever you want it from wide open to stopped down a good bit. One thing to mention is the obvious. It can be heavy to hand hold for a fairly long time and at least a monopod comes in handy if just to give me a rest. With a Nikon 1.7 converter, it has so little degradation that I rarely carry my old Nikon 500 f/4-P in the field anymore. The 300 f/2.8 gives me 500 f/4.8 in the EXIF with this converter, so I'm not losing anything much and it's much lighter and faster to use on birds, perched or in flight. It also makes a superb portrait lens, with or without the converter. The unique perspective will give you a change for the good from your standard portrait glass. It also allows you to stand far enough back outside as to allow a little more candid images of your kids or grandkids. If you're like me and getting older but want that ultimate glass in this focal range, please do yourself a favor and afford it while you can

CraigH

Originally posted at

2011-06-22T20:00:00

I recently purchased the Nikon 300mm 2.8 VR II lens and my first use was to shoot the launch of STS-134 from the NASA Causeway. I was 6.3 miles from the launch site. I mounted the 300 on a TC 17 E II teleconverter and my Nikon D300. The rig was of course mounted on a tripod. The pictures are amazing. Too bad about the cloudy sky but still very, very nice. I am quite pleased.

Maddog

Originally posted at

2011-06-08T20:00:00

This is an excellent lens, it's a little bulky but it's what I use when I want a good telephoto with low ISO in an active environment. I frequently shoot this lens at f/2.8 and always like the results.

ctb

Originally posted at

2011-04-15T20:00:00

I use this lens for sports and nature photography. The fast focus is incredible, and the sharpness is incomparable. Although heavy, used on a tripod or bi pod, the weight is unnoticeable. This lens is just what the doctor ordered.....Love it.

John738

Originally posted at

2011-04-13T20:00:00

Very fast focus that has been spot on. Heavy, but shoot hand-held at times and pleased with results. I prefer to shoot with monopod or tripod ... I find D700 and 300/2.8 easy to carry over the shoulder with monopod attached ... pleasant surprise. Use it for birds, moon, field sports. Plan on being social if you have one ... people are always stopping and asking about the lens and an opinion of how it performs.

Mobius

Originally posted at

2011-04-13T20:00:00

I was familiar with the great color rendition this lens provides, the reach and the focusing speed. I was unprepared for the beautiful OOF rendering and the ability of the lens to create fine portrait shots. The 2.8 and the nano really seems to make all of the difference in the world.

scjohn

Originally posted at

2011-01-31T19:00:00

This is the best lens I have ever used. The focus is quick and accurate and the VR makes hand-holding this large lens possible. I am an avid amateur wildlife photographer and am quite capable of holding the lens steady even while following birds in flight.

Soitgos

Originally posted at

2010-08-25T20:00:00

This is a great lens. It's a little heavy to hand-hold, but I do it all the time. If not for a bicycle crash, it would probably be an easy hand-hold. Optics are every bit as good as you'd expect. I shoot birds in flight, and this is my go-to lens. No complaints, whatsoever.

Neurophoto

Originally posted at