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Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED - Review / Test Report |
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Lens Reviews -
Nikon / Nikkor (APS-C)
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Page 1 of 3
Review by Klaus Schroiff, published July 2006
Lens kindly provided for testing purposes by Josef Merk!
Introduction
The Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/4D IF-ED is the longest tele fix-focal length lens
in the current line-up that remains within the financial reach (around 1250€/US$)
of serious amateurs. Surprisingly Nikon does not offer an AF-S 400mm f/5.6 so
for anything longer you either have to add a tele-converter or go for the
AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR which has about the same form factor.
Released back in the early 2000 the AF-S 300mm f/4 is obviously a full format lens.
In the tested APS-C scope (Nikon D200) the field-of-view is equivalent to classic
450mm. The Nikkor AF-S 1.4x extends the reach to 420mm (630mm equiv.) f/5.6.
The build quality of the lens is exceptionally high. The outer barrel
is made of metal with a silky finish. The very broad, rubberized focus ring
operates very smooth and slightly damped. A build-in telescope lens hood (lockable)
is also supplied. In order to provide a more balanced usage on a tripod or monopod
Nikon also implemented a detachable tripod-collar.
The AF-S 300mm f/4 is a true IF (internal focusing) design so its length
remains constant regardless of the focus setting and the front element does
not rotate. Using a polarizer is therefore no problem unless you extend
the lens hood. Thanks to a silent-wave motor the AF is very fast and
near-silent.
| Specifications |
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| Equiv. focal length | 450 mm (full format equivalent) |
| Equiv. aperture | f/6 (full format equivalent, in terms of depth-of-field) |
| Optical construction | 10 elements in 6 groups inc. 2 ED elements |
| Number of aperture blades | 9 (rounded) |
| min. focus distance | 1.45 m (max. magnification ratio 1:3.7) |
| Dimensions | 90 x 223 mm |
| Weight | 1440 g |
| Filter size | 77 mm (non-rotating) |
| Hood | barrel shaped (build-in) |
| Other features | Lens provides distance information (D). Tripod collar. |
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