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Review Summary
2012-01-27T19:00:00
I needed a lens to surpass the limited reach of my 70-200 2.8, a lens i adore. I'd purchased both the TC-17eII and the T-20eIII in an effort to do just that but soon discovered merely adequate results from that combo. I struggled to get into wildlife comfort zones without having to creep about for hours and started to read about this 300mm and its' stellar performance with the teleconverters. From the first shot, I knew I'd made the right choice. The images at 600mm under the right circumstances can be remarkable. Without stepping down, I can hand held at 600 with awesome results. I'm very happy with this lens!
Centerphild
2011-04-13T20:00:00
I chose this lens over the 200-400 for a number of reasons. The 300 is lighter and, in my opinion, clear than the 200-400. I enjoy shooting birds free handed, in flight, so moving the heavier lens for any period of time my arms would not be able to take the added weight. The 300, in my opinion, is one of Nikon's best optic lens on the market.
Stickman
2011-04-13T20:00:00
Very good lens for the price. Not the highest quality but still very good
Alg
2010-09-21T20:00:00
Right from the first day we received this lens it has been a Performer with Image Quality unsurpassed by any other lens we possess. Focusing is quick in both auto or for those instances when manual is required. I literally manually focus using the tips of my fingers it moves so easily, and goes from near to infinity with one placement of my fingers on the focus barrel. Control switches are optimally positioned and easily changed even during a shot. We combine this lens with a Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E II for serious nature photography or by itself as a super-telephoto prime for weddings. It is a real work horse for us, the best investment we have ever made to our business.
Level-headed_guy
2010-08-02T20:00:00
I use this lens to photograph landscapes and matched up with the D3x, D3s, D3 or the D700 with a try pod is incredible and I am very very hard to please. The detail in landscapes will knock your socks off.
hotrod
2010-08-01T20:00:00
This lens is a "must have" for any serious sports photographer. It is my only lens for outdoor sports including baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and football. Coupled with a D-700 or better, night game action shots become very manageable. The auto focus is amazing. Subjects snap in focus even under low-light conditions.
Sport S.
2010-07-31T20:00:00
I have over 10 pieces of Nikkor Glass and this is my favorite. The images are stunning and focus is very fast, almost as fast as my 200 F2. I agree with the other poster..if you can only get 1 pro telephoto, get this one. Works well with teleconvertors to get the extra reach if you need it.
MJR
2010-07-30T20:00:00
NIKKOR AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR is an absolute performer, extremly sharp at 2.8 and has a nice bokeh at wide open and works very well with the AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
NikonPro i.
2010-07-29T20:00:00
As a serious amateur I like to mix my photography up from time to time and I wanted a lens that would lend itself well to a wide range of applications. When I purchased this one I had in mind to use it primarily for wildlife but soon found it to be extremely versatile in so many other applications. I use it for close-up, portrait, landscape, sports and wildlife and the fast focus, sharpness, and image quality are phenomenal.
BillC
2010-07-29T20:00:00
If you can buy just 1 telephoto, this is the one. Portraits will stun you, perfect for field sports, racing, indoors, outdoors, it is the King! Use one and you will NEVER give it back. It's big, heavy, expensive and probably my favorite lens. Does so much, just try it for portraits, you will be blown away. That poorly lit sports field is no match for the 300 on a D3. Can't say enough about it. One of the best lenses in Nikon's stable.
Hot N.
2010-07-29T20:00:00
My lens seems to have a problem with the electrical connections between the lens and camera - I know it's the lens since the problems exist when using this particular lens with other camera bodies - and I have no issues when using other Nikkor lenses - I've had the lens into service a couple of times - all to no avail. When it happens - I lose the AF feature. This lens is a lemon in my opinion - or at least the one I have is.
dave
2009-03-31T21:00:00
I use my 300/2.8 with a D300 for sports and wildlife. Its low-light and speedy autofocus capabilities have taken my photography to another level. The keeper shots are way up. I regularly get brilliantly crisp subjects against ghostly bokeh backgrounds. It is heavy. For sports, a monopod is a must. For wildlife I added a quick release mount to the monopod. This makes it quicker to snap the handheld camera/lens to the monopod. That's useful when I tire, and start shaking, but the subject (usually a bird) is still present.
Bill C.
2008-12-28T19:00:00
Quality construction and great output. Included soft case is very handy for carring the lens with an attached body.
Mike C.
2008-12-16T19:00:00
I debated between buying this lens and the 200-400 zoom. After lots of research I settled on the 300 f/2.8 and am glad I did. It works fabulously with the 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0 teleconverters. You do have to stop down to f/8.0 with the 2.0 TC but, the other 2 TC's work well even wide open.The images are EXTREMELY SHARP!! Great contrast and saturation as well.I use the lens with a D300, Gitzo 3540LS, Arca-Swiss Z1 and Wimberley Sidekick.Great service from Adorama. [...] Well packed, too. It's always a pleasure to do business with these people.
wp3
2008-07-06T21:00:00
This is one of the best Nikon lens to date. Sharp sharp sharp with ultra smooth bokeh. I see a similar particular character that I found in Zeiss lenses. That Nano coating is not just a gimmic. It works. I can see the difference, between 300/f4 AFS and this lens. The colors have more pop with the same camera settings).
orionadante
2008-02-10T19:00:00
The price tag on this lens is steep, but I needed something that would track birds in flight during uncertain lighting conditions hand held, and still provide sharp images. This lens is about the largest Nikon prime that doesn't require the support of a monopod or tripod. I use it with a Nikon TC17eII, and have found perhaps a very slight softening wide open at f/4.8, but no noticeable degradation if stopped down at all. Even wide open it produces amazingly sharp images w/ the TC! This combo produces a 510mm f/4.8 for much less investment than a 500mm f/4, and it can be hand held.
BRETT C.
2007-02-11T19:00:00
I have used this lens to shoot high school sports (mostly Lacrosse and Field Hockey) and it has been all that I hoped it would be. Fast,sharp,and built like a tank. I didn't need the 400mm and this lens gives me more flexibility. Creamy bokeh is the envy of the other photographers at the weekly newspaper I contribute to.
MARTIN R.
11 elements in 8 groups (with 3 ED glass elements); +1 meniscus protective glasselement.
8 degrees 10 minutes
2.8 - 22
2.2m (86.6 in./ 7.2 ft.)
1:6.1 (x 0.16)
52mm
Approx. 124 x 268 mm (4.9 x 10.6 in.)
Approx. 2.85 kg (6.38 lbs)
Rotating Tripod Collar
After a terrific evening program Moose Peterson presented for the Workshops@AdoramaRead more
Want to catch the action? Here’s a quick guide to the gear—especially lenses--you need. Updated for Fall 2015. Whether you're shooting with a DSLR or a high-end Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Compact
Today announced two new NIKKOR optics that deliver the pinnacle of image quality for professional photographers who demand super telephoto capabilities. The new, fast aperture AF-S NIKKOR...
A Performer with unsurpassed Image Quality
By Level-headed_guy
Right from the first day we received this lens it has been a Performer with Image Quality unsurpassed by any other lens we possess. Focusing is quick in both auto or for those instances when manual is required. I literally manually focus using the tips of my fingers it moves so easily, and goes from near to infinity with one placement of my fingers on the focus barrel. Control switches are optimally positioned and easily changed even during a shot. We combine this lens with a Nikon AF-S Telec...
View full Review
From a 1 to 5 rating I give this lens a 10
By hotrod
I use this lens to photograph landscapes and matched up with the D3x, D3s, D3 or the D700 with a try pod is incredible and I am very very hard to please. The detail in landscapes will knock your socks off.
Aimed squarely at professional photographers, the 300mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor makes spectacular photography possible, even in the most demanding lighting conditions. The first Nikkor lens to incorporate Nano-Crystal AR Coat, the 300mm f/2.8G ED sets a new standard for super-telephoto performance.
The ultra-fast f/2.8 maximum aperture allows photographers to work in nearly any situation and offers the important ability to obscure unwanted backgrounds. Three high-performance Nikkor ED glass elements virtually eliminate chromatic aberration and the new Nano-Crystal AR Coat and a meniscus front element further reduce internal reflections, enhancing optical performance.
Nikon Vibration Reduction technology makes sharp handheld photography possible in lower light than would otherwise be possible. Nikon VR works in two modes: The Normal Mode compensates for camera shake and includes automatic detection of panning and tripod use. The Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle.
Nikon's exclusive Silent Wave Motor enables ultra-high speed autofocusing with exceptional accuracy and super-quiet operation. Internal focusing smoothes focusing and improves handling balance. Nikon's new Nano-Crystal AR Coat is applied to select lens elements of the new 300mm f/2.8G ED. Contributing to the virtual elimination of ghost and flare, this coating ensures clear and vivid images, even under powerful direct light. Created and refined in Nikon's advanced semiconductor manufacturing business, the 300mm f/2.8G ED marks the debut of Nano-Crystal AR Coat in a consumer photographic product. New also for this lens is a meniscus protective glass element, which minimizes reflections while protecting the front ED element.
Compatibility with Nikon's TC-14EII (1.4x), the new TC-17EII (1.7x) and TC-20EII (2x) teleconverters extend the flexibility and reach to as long as 600mm on a 35mm film SLR, or the equivalent of 900mm on a Nikon digital SLR.