Testing the Nikkor 300mm f/4

[sirhc55]

First up, my grateful thanks to Glen for loaning me this lens.

To me this is a classic Nikkor lens that is beautifully made and has the added benefit of a built-in lens hood. Simply extend the hood and twist to lock - reminds me of Nikkor’s way back when.

Even with my problems this is an easy and well balanced lens to take hand-held shots. The lens is sharp and focuses very quickly and accurately.

The 3 pics below were all taken hand-held with shutter priority.

Now for the bad news - the tripod collar is totally and absolutely pathetic. Whilst taking shots of the moon the other night with the lens mounted on the D2Hs and Gitzo, I achieved results that had to be disposed of.

Checking both the RRS and Kirk sites I would say by looking at the design of their replacement collars for this lens that the Kirk may be the better of the two.

So in conclusion - a brilliant lens with pathetic collar.

[wendellt]

yikes that 3rd one is just gorgeous
sharp and creamy
you must be having fun with that lens is it huge?

[LostDingo]

I've always wanted a play with that lens and you have pretty much nailed what I wanted to know. The glass appears to be excellent and the detail of your captures excellent.

Thanks for sharing this!

Paul

[sirhc55]

yikes that 3rd one is just gorgeous
sharp and creamy
you must be having fun with that lens is it huge?

Wendell - about 225mm in length with out the hood extended

[Killakoala]

Very nice indeed.

[huynhie]

Chris, you have come to the same conclusion as bjorn about the tripod collar on this lens.

[birddog114]

Chris,
Don't touch it anymore, return to the owner! NLD is calling
Nice series of testing this lens.
The RRS replacement collar is working well, fozzie has one with RRS replacement collar.

[sirhc55]

Chris, you have come to the same conclusion as bjorn about the tripod collar on this lens.

I totally agree with bjorn - I actually tried a shot with the Sigma 2x teleconverter attached and got a better result than the lens on its own. This is probably due to altering the centre of balance.

[PiroStitch]

Very bloody nice! Love the bokeh in the third pic - though I'd crop the left a bit to remove that stray petal.

[fozzie]

Chris - this lens is excellent value for money, and a delight to use, sharp as and so well balance. The RRS replacement collar is so superior and should be for the cost. BTW: nice shooting

[Oneputt]

Boy they are sharp!!!

[xerubus]

wow!! very sharp... sexy bokeh.... and great saturation!

might need to add that one to the list

cheers

[Glen]

You are making it sing Chris. I also agree with you on the collar. I used it mainly monopod based (with 1.7TC) or handheld otherwise it would have a new collar by now