Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat Review

According provided by Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR lens (SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat) many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar Nikon lenses.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat. increase.

Navigation:

  1. In short
  2. History
  3. Main Specifications
  4. Assembly
  5. Enlightenment 'N' (Nano Crystal Coat)
  6. Stabilizer
  7. Focusing
  8. Rare switch 'A / M - M / A - M'
  9. Diaphragm
  10. Image quality
  11. Sample photos (FX, DX)
  12. My experience
  13. Lens prices
  14. Results
  15. User Comments
  16. Add your review or question on the lens

In the Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR (SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat) review, I will abbreviate it as Nikon 300 / 4E VR.

Appearance Nikon 300 / 4E VR took from the site bhphotovideo.com... You can see how a particular specimen that I visited on a review looks like. here (profotosale.com.ua), here (club-foto.ru), here (facebook.com), here (instagram.com) or here (vk.com).

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

In short

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR is a quality telephoto prime lens with Image Stabilizer. Major update from previous version Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4D IF Silent Wave Motor, announced back in 2000. All in all, this is a decent professional lens. The latest (newest) and best in its line.

Of the features, first of all, it should be highlighted record low weight и record-breaking small lens size. It smallest and lightest lens in its class... The small size was achieved thanks to the use of a phase Fresnel lens (the marking 'PF' in the lens name is responsible for it).

The 300mm focal length is the focal length transition from telephoto to super telephoto. But due to its maximum aperture of f / 4, this lens can be easily paired with teleconverters.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

History

Nikon has been manufacturing 300/4 (4.5) class lenses since 1964.

There are 3 autofocus versions of full-frame lenses for 300/4 class SLR cameras in total:

  1. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 300mm 1: 4, from June 1987 to August 2000
  2. Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4D IF Silent Wave Motor (there are two sub-versions: with a black or a white case), from August 2000 to the present day (in 2021 it is still considered the current model)
  3. Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4 E PF N VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat, January 2015 to present. Lens shown in this review

It should be noted separately that Nikon 300 / 4E VR became the first Nikon Nikkor lensusing optical elements PF (PHase Fresnel) - phase Fresnel lenses. True, lenses with similar technology "Diffractive Optics" have existed at Canon since December 2001, for example, it is worth remembering Canon EF 400mm 1: 4 DO (Diffractive Optics) IS USM (2001) or Canon Zoom Lens EF 70-300mm 1: 4.5-5.6 DO (Diffractive Optics) IS USM (2004)

In June 2018, another lens was released - Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED PF VR, taking advantage of the PF elements and having a record low weight.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Main technical characteristics of Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR (SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat):

Review Instance Name Gold letters: Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR

On the body in white letters: Nikon SWM VR PF ED IF Ø77 Nano Crystal Coat Made in CHINA

Basic properties
  • FX (for Nikon FX) - lens designed for Nikon FX full-frame cameras
  • AF S (Auto Fear Silent Wave) - built-in focus motor
  • E (Electromagnetic Diaphragm) - electromagnetic diaphragm, no diaphragm control ring
  • IF (Internal focusing) - internal focusing
  • Limiter focusing distance (Full ∞-3m)
  • ED (Extra low Ddispersion) - low-dispersion element in the optical scheme
  • PF (PHase Fresnel) - phase Fresnel lens in the optical scheme
  • N (Nano Crystal Coat) - nanocrystalline optical antireflection
  • DIH (Super Iintegrated Coating) - special coating of optics
  • A / M - M / A - M, advanced switch of focus modes (details in the review below)
  • SWM (Silent Wbird Motor) - silent wave (ultrasonic) focus motor
  • RD (Rounded Diaphragm) - rounded petals aperture
  • Gold ring near the front lens
  • VR (Vvibration Reduction) - built-in image stabilizer with two modes of operation.
  • Normal / Sport - switch of the stabilizer operation mode for its effective use
  • Rubber lens mount seal
  • Protective rubber bumper near the front lens
  • Front lens protective enlightenment
  • Removable tripod foot RT-1
  • Ability to use a large number of teleconverters
  • Professional lens
Front Filter Diameter 77 mm, metal thread for filters
Focal length 300 mm, EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 450 mm, EGF for Nikon CX cameras is 810 mm
Zoom ratio 1 X (this is a fixed lens, without the ability to change the focal length)
Designed by primarily for Nikon FX digital full-frame cameras
Number of aperture blades 9 rounded petals
Tags
  • window with focusing distance in meters and feet. Meters (white): 1.4, 1.7, 2, 3, 4, 7, infinity. Feet (in yellow): 5, 6, 7, 10, 15, 30, infinity
  • one mark-strip for turning and setting the tripod foot
  • lens hood installation point
Diaphragm from f / 4 to f / 32. The lens does not have an aperture ring (G - lens type)
MDF (minimum focusing distance) 1.4 meters, maximum magnification ratio 1:4.17
The weight
  • 755 grams according to the instructions
  • 754 grams, measured (excluding tripod foot and covers)
Optical design 16 elements in 10 groups, 1 element is low dispersion (ED element is shown in yellow in the optical diagram). 1 element is a phase Fresnel lens (such an element is shown in green in the optical scheme)

Opticals Nikon 300 / 4E VR

Clickable Image

Lens hood Usually comes in the box, Nikon marking HB-73
Transportation Using the Nikon CL-M3 Case
Period since January 2015
Manufacturer country Made in CHINA (made in China)
Instructions See
Price See

Compared to lenses class 300 / 2.8, the 300/4 lens line is more 'simple', however, all 300/4 versions are Nikon Nikkor professional lenses and are included in the Nikon Professional Service list. By the way, 300 mm is exactly the middle in the range of 200-400 mm, which is used by more expensive lenses:Nikon 200-400 / 4G VRNikon N 200-400 / 4GII VR и Nikon N 180-400 / 4E VR... That is why, with grief in half, many tasks can be solved by one relatively inexpensive Nikon 300 / 4E VR instead of very expensive zooms with F / 4.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Assembly

Nikon 300 / 4E VR is well built. The build quality matches the professional focus of the lens. The lens barrel has the characteristic slightly 'wrinkled' coating found in many professional Nikkor lenses. The lens body is made of plastic, but with a metal mount and thread for light filters.

The lens weighs approximately 750 grams (excluding the tripod foot). This is a very low figure. In addition, the Nikon 300 / 4E VR has a very small footprint. Nikon 300 / 4E VR weighs almost as much as a regular Nikon 70-300 / 4.5-5.6G VR, and the size is comparable to Nikon 24-70 / 2.8E VR... The Nikon 300 / 4E VR is just 14.7 centimeters long. I was very comfortable working with Nikon 300 / 4E VR on cameras Nikon D700 и Nikon D40.

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR 'is equipped with' a special feature - a gold ring near the front lens, which means it can be classified as a professional lens in the NIKON NIKKOR line.

The front lens has a protective rubber bumper... There is rubber mount seal... The front lens has a special protective fluorine-containing coating.

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR can use the RT-1 detachable tripod foot. Unfortunately paw not included in the package... The same foot is also suitable for Nikon N 70-200 / 4G ED VR... The average price of an original foot is about $ 160, however the Chinese counterpart costs only about $ 10.

It's a bit of a pity that such a lens has the inscription 'MADE IN CHINA' (made in China).

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Enlightenment 'N' (Nano Crystal Coat)

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR boasts the letter 'N' on its body. 'N' stands for 'Nano Crystal Coat' - optics nanocrystalline coating. Such enlightenment allows you to cope well with glare and flare, and also creates excellent color reproduction. Most likely, only a few of the lenses of this objective have 'N' -coating. The rest of the lenses have a classic SIC enlightenment (Nikon Super Iintegrated Coating - special super integral enlightenment).

It is a pity that Nikon does not indicate the number of lenses in the optical scheme, which have 'N'-coating.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Stabilizer

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR has the Nikon VR Image Stabilizer ('Vvibration Reduction '- Vibration Suppression), which by instructions can compensate 4.5 steps by shutter speed... In numerical terms, this means that you can shoot at shutter speeds in 23 times longer than required by a lens without a stabilizer. The Nikon 300 / 4E VR stabilizer does its job very well. One of the most powerful stabilizers in Nikon Nikkor lenses I've seen.

Indicator in 4.5 steps - is the maximum among all other Nikon Nikkor lenses and is found only on models Nikon 800 / 5.6E VR и Nikon 70-300 / 4.5-5.6E VR.

To enable / disable the stabilizer on the lens there switch 'VR OFF / NORMAL / SPORT'.

There is a 'Normal / Sport' switch to select the mode. The gimbal can operate in two modes: 'Normal' and 'Sport'.

  • 'Normal' mode Suitable for most static scenes and avoids camera shake.
  • 'Sport' mode best suited for shooting dynamic scenes. In this mode, the image in the viewfinder is the most stable. This mode is great for use on a sedentary monopod. Usually such lenses have a Normal / Active switch, where in the Active position the stabilizer also works when the camera is moving, for example, while driving a car.

Both modes can track the movement of the camera to create panoramas. Both modes 'understand' when the lens or camera is mounted on a tripod and adapt their work to the current conditions.

I was able to take pictures of stationary objects without blur and hard effort for 1/20 of a second. And if you try hard, you can get a sharp frame even at shutter speed 1/10 second (example). In actual shooting conditions, the gimbal feels very good.

It is recommended to turn off the stabilizer when shooting with a tripod at very slow shutter speeds.

It's important: there is information that the first lenses had a problem with the stabilizer.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Focusing

Nikon 300 / 4E VR focuses quietly thanks to 'SWM'-motor (Silent Wbird Motor - quiet wave motor) and refers to the lens'AF S'type (with built-in motor focusing), and therefore it will automatically focus almost on any Nikon digital SLR camera.

The minimum focusing distance is only 1.4 meters, which is small enough for a 300 mm focal length. You can shoot with a maximum magnification of 1: 4.17 (a very good indicator).

Nikon 300 / 4E VR has a window with distance scale in meters and feet. There are no marks for working in the infrared spectrum, and there is no depth of field scale either.

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR has an optional 'Full ∞-3m' switch that acts as a focusing distance limiter. The ∞ sign means infinity.

  • In the 'Full' position, automatic focusing is available over the entire range of distances - from ∞ to MDF
  • In the '∞-3m' position, auto focus is available in the range from 3 meters to ∞.

Note that during manual focus, the limiter does not work. On the lens of the previous generation Nikon ED AF Nikkor 300mm 1: 4 used a more interesting distance limiter with the ability to select a range of distances manually.

The focusing ring is very wide and comfortable, rotates 225 degrees (5/8 of a full turn). During autofocus, the focus ring does not rotate and can be used to support the lens.

Auto Focus Speed ​​- high (closer to the middle). Although the lens does not focus at lightning speed, refocusing on nearby objects is quite fast. This causes the lens to create a distinctly audible hum during autofocus. When changing AF direction quickly and frequently (when the lens 'jerks'), there is a slight rattling noise from stopping and starting the motor. Compared to previous model Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300 / 4D the focusing speed of the Nikon 300 / 4E VR did not increase much.

I should note that in general, autofocus performance is slightly worse than, for example, in a more advanced model. Nikon 300 / 2.8G II.

Very important: The focusing speed depends significantly on the illumination and complexity of the scene. In low light conditions, for example, when the lens is closed by the front cover, the focusing speed is low, and the lens travel time from MDF to infinity and back is very long.

During focusing, the front and rear lenses remain stationary, as the lens uses internal focusthat is indicated on the case by the letters'IF'-'Iinternal Focus' - 'Inner Focus'. You can easily use any filters, for example polarizing or gradient.

When using auto focus through JVI lens showed excellent focusing tenacity on cameras Nikon D700 и Nikon D40 (with the most primitive focusing module by three points).

Focus Features:

  1. Important: The quality of focusing Nikon 300 / 4E VR in Live View mode is highly dependent on the camera used.
  2. Nikon 300 / 4E VR has a very pronounced 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in the angle of view during focusing). When focusing towards the MDF, the angle of view decreases significantly.
  3. Focus Shift (shift focus, change of focusing distance due to aperture) no
  4. Nikon 300 / 4E VR does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop), which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions. For precise aiming at infinity, you cannot just bring the focusing ring to its extreme position.
  5. The lens transmits the distance to the subject in the camera and is D lens.
  6. Lens compatible with Nikon TC-E converters that support auto focus
  7. Well compatible with Nikon FTZ / Nikon FTZ II and Nikon FT1 Mirrorless Camera Adapters Nikon Z и Nikon 1.
Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Rare switch 'A / M - M / A - M'

The lens has a rather rare focus mode switchA / M - M / A - M'. Typically, these lenses have a more common switch.M / A - M'.

If you look, in the 'A / M' position, automatic focusing works with the constant possibility of manual adjustment / focus adjustment, but with the priority of auto focus. It means that 'A / M' mode avoids canceling the autofocus mode due to accidental rotation of the focus ring.

To cancel it during auto focus and switch to the manual focus method, you need to turn the focus ring some distance. The length of this distance is known only in practice.

'ModeM / A'disables automatic focusing immediately after the start of rotation of the focus ring, and the' A / M 'mode disables automatic focusing only after some prolonged rotation of the focus ring.

Nikon has made a distinction between 'A / M' and 'M / A'very fine. If we maximally generalize the difference between these modes, it all comes down to how sensitive the focus ring is to turn off the automatic focus and switch to manual focus mode. I advise you to leave the 'A / M' mode on and forget about this switch forever.

A focus mode switch 'A / M - M / A - M' is mainly found on Nikon's 'longest' telephoto lenses:

  1. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 200mm 1: 2G II ED VR
  2. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR [overview]
  3. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 2.8G II ED VR [overview]
  4. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8G ED VR
  5. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8E ED FL VR
  6. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4G ED VR
  7. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
  8. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED PF VR
  9. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4G ED VR
  10. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
  11. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 800mm 1: 5.6E ED FL VR
  12. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8G II ED VR [overview]
  13. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8E FL ED VR
  14. Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6E ED VR
  15. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR [overview]
  16. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm 1: 2.8E FL ED SR VR [announcement]
  17. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm 1: 4E FL ED VR TC 1.4
  18. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm 1: 4G II ED VR

You can see the various types of switches that use Nikon autofocus lenses. here. In general, Nikon likes to confuse users with various obscure autofocus modes.

On the lens that I reviewed, the focus ring, as it rotates, creates the sound / hum of two rubbing plastic parts. It was not possible to achieve the oil stroke of the focusing ring.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Diaphragm

Diaphragm lens consists of 9 rounded petalsthat form a flat hole. Aperture closes to F / 32.

One of the implicit benefits Telephoto lenses with a maximum aperture of 1: 4 is the ability to easily use them with teleconverters.

When using a tele-converter with a magnification of 1.4x, the lens turns into '420 / 5.6', while you can automatically focus on all Nikon digital SLR cameras.

Even when using a teleconverter with a magnification of 2X, when the lens turns into '600/8′, It can auto focus on some SLR cameras. For a list of cameras with focus sensors designed for maximum aperture of f / 8, see here.

If use teleconverter 2X with Nikon AF-S 300 / 4D lens on cameras Nikon D7100, D7200, D7500, D500 (possibly some others) and additionally enable 1.3x crop mode, you can get EGF 1170 mm (300*2*1.5*1.3), and the maximum opening is F/8.0. On cameras of the Nikon 1 series, paired with a 2x teleconverter, you can get EGF 1620mm (300*2*2.7). But most of all EGF available on cameras Nikon D2x и D2xs, where you can enable 2x crop mode and get EGF 1800 мм (300*2*1.5*2).

It's important: Nikon 300 / 4E VR uses electromagnetic aperture control... Only some Nikon digital cameras can work correctly with this lens.

The exact list of digital cameras that support working with 'E'-type lenses:

Nikon D3, D3s, D3x, D4, D4s, D5, D6, Df, D600, D610, D700, D750, D780, D800, D800E, D810, D810a, D850, D300, D300s, D500, D7000, D7100, D7200, D7500, D5000, D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D3100, D3200, D3300, D3400, D3500

+ Nikon z5, Nikon z6, Nikon z6 ii, Nikon z7, Nikon z7 ii, Nikon z9, Nikon Z fc, Nikon z50 with Nikon FTZ / Nikon FTZ II adapter.

+ Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, S1, S2, V1, V2, V3, AW 1 with Nikon FT-1 adapter

The exact list of cameras that do not support working with 'E'-type lenses:

Nikon D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2h, D2xs, D2hs, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D100, D200, D3000

+ Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 Pro, S3 Pro UVIR, S5 Pro, IS Pro

+ Kodak DCS PRO 14n и Kodak DCS Pro SLR / n

'E' type lenses on the cameras in this list will always shoot at full aperture. Other features of the work are possible.

Electromagnetic diaphragm control has some advantages over the older method of aperture control using mechanical camera and lens levers:

  1. increases aperture value accuracy
  2. increased response speed, which is important for high-speed shooting
  3. As far as I know, the old aperture lever mechanism (Non-G, G lenses) was designed for a maximum speed of 10 frames per second. The electromagnetic diaphragm can easily operate at higher speeds
  4. simplifies iris operation during movie shooting
  5. the mechanism is quieter (at least there is no noise from the aperture control mechanisms built into the camera)
  6. simplifies the design of the camera itself, as well as macro rings, teleconverters and other adapters. This is very critical for telephoto lenses with a focal length greater than 500 mm.
  7. third-party lens design is simplified for Nikon / Canon and many other systems, especially mirrorless ones. The manufacturer does not need to globally change the design of the lens for different aperture control mechanisms on different cameras. For all, an electromagnetic diaphragm is used without additional mechanical parts. Let me remind you that, for example, all lenses for cameras Canon EOS equipped with an electromagnetic diaphragm since 1987
  8. most likely there are other positive features, less obvious, such as improved power consumption or the possibility of having a huge number of aperture blades

Of the minuses electromagnetic diaphragm I would highlight only the violation of compatibility with old cameras. For example, with old people like Nikon D90, Nikon D3000, Nikon D2xs aperture control on the Nikon 300 / 4E VR will no longer be possible.

An accurate list of all Nikon Nikkor electromagnetic diaphragm lenses:

  • E:
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 28mm 1: 1.4E ED
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 105mm 1: 1.4E ED
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 400mm 1: 2.8E ED FL VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 5.6E ED PF VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 500mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4E ED FL VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 800mm 1: 5.6E ED FL VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 8-15mm 1: 3.5-4.5E ED Fisheye
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 16-80mm 1: 2.8-4E ED VR DX
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm 1: 2.8E ED VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8E FL ED VR
  • Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6E ED VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm 1: 2.8E FL ED SR VR
  • Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm 1: 4E FL ED VR TC 1.4
  • Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm 1: 5.6E ED VR
  • PC-E:
  • Nikon N PC-E Nikkor 24mm 1: 3.5D ED
  • Nikon N PC-E Nikkor 45mm 1: 2.8D ED Microphone
  • Nikon N PC-E Nikkor 85mm 1: 2.8D Microphone
  • PC, E:
  • Nikon N PC Nikkor 19mm 1: 4E ED
  • Z, E:
  • All lenses Nikon Nikkor Z
  • 1, E.
  • All lenses Nikon Nikkor 1

The first such lens (not counting the PC-E) was Nikon 800 / 5.6E, announced in 2013.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Image quality

The Nikon 300 / 4E VR image quality is no big deal. Everything is good or great. The lens was introduced at a time when full-frame cameras with 36 MP sensors already existed (D810, 2014) and cropped cameras with 24 MP sensors (D7100, 2013). The lens should not experience any particular problems with modern cameras with high pixel density sensors (like the Nikon D850). Compared with Nikon AF-S 300 / 4D the Nikon 300 / 4E VR has noticeably increased resolution at open apertures, but at closed apertures, the difference will be extremely difficult to find.

Sharpness

  • in the center of the frame at F / 4 the lens has good / excellent resolution
  • there is a drop in sharpness to the far edges and corners of the frame
  • the stock of sharpness should be sufficient at least for teleconverters with a magnification of 1.4x
  • only on very closed apertures, detail can drop due to diffraction

Distortion

  • the lens has a low level of distortion

Vignetting

  • the overall level of vignetting is at a level typical for such lenses
  • noticeable vignetting is only observed at f / 4
  • vignetting almost completely disappears at F / 8
  • on Nikon DX cameras the vignette disappears at F / 5.6
  • vignetting decreases with focus towards MDF
  • vignetting is easily fixable in the editor

Aberration

  • low chromatic aberration
  • spherical aberration rate is low
  • the level of refrigeration (aberrations coloring contrast elements in the blur zone) is low

Rest

  • nice, good color rendering
  • aperture at f / 4.5-f / 32 is well rounded
  • in many scenes, the lens can create nice bokeh
  • the lens may produce a small amount of specific flare. This is a feature of using PF lenses. This flaw should be partially corrected by post-processing with original Capture NX-D software or similar. During my entire work with the lens, I was unable to get these specific “jagged” flares. Maximum here such a glare
  • it is difficult to get a star effect due to the rounded aperture.

There is a lens profile for the lens in popular RAW converters.

Modern Nikon cameras can recognize this lens, which automatically corrects vignetting, distortion and some chromatic aberration. Paired with the enhancement algorithms Nikon 300 / 4E VR is just wonderful. Modern digital photography is not only an objective lens and a camera sensor, but also post-processing of the obtained result.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Sample photos on D500 (DX), D7200 (DX), D2x (DX), D800E (FX), 1 V2 (CX)

Photos on Nikon 300/4E VR and Nikon cameras D500, D7200, D2x, D800E and even Nikon 1 V2 shared photographer Daniil Komov... Be sure to visit his website https://www.dkomov.ru/, there are many photographs shot on the Nikon 300 / 4E VR (including the TC-14E ​​II teleconverter). Also look for Daniel on social media: Facebook, Instagram, vk, youtube , flickr... Some of the photos in the gallery were also captured using the TC-14E ​​II teleconverter.

Full-size JPEG files can be downloaded all on the same Daniil Komov's personal website (look for the download button at the top right of the site).

Sample photos on Nikon D40 (DX), D700 (FX)

My examples on Nikon D40 (APS-C, Nikon DX, 6MP CCD). JPEG from camera, no processing... The shooting was carried out using a light monopod, as well as hand-held. When shooting handheld after 1600 frames (about an hour and a half of shooting) I wanted only one thing - the same lens, but with much less weight.

Don't worry, I have tested this Nikon 300 / 4E VR on Nikon D700 (digital full frame SLR camera). Multiple RAW source files (14-bit, lossless compression, benchmarks against favorite ghetto tables) on the cloud here.

But with the old lady Nikon D40 I'm much more fun and interesting to shoot. Good result with Nikon D700 much easier to get than with Nikon D40 - which is the most primitive TsZK from Nikon. And this arouses sports interest. Nikon 300 / 4E VR on Nikon D40 has a very good weight balance. Too bad aperture control with Nikon D40 not available (can only be shot at F / 4).

Original photos in JPEG format ('.JPG') can be view / download this link (Google Drive, 100+ photos).

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

My experience

Almost always, such lenses are bought for some specific task. Usually this is shooting animals, sports, portrait photography.

With the Nikon 300 / 4E VR, you simply enjoy handheld shooting.

A 300mm focal length is not that much. Capturing the same wildlife at 300mm and even with a Nikon DX series camera is quite difficult. This lens really makes sense to use in tandem with teleconverters. For example, to shoot large this duck, it took a shooting distance of only 3.4 meters. I have on Instagram asked and assumed that such a focal length makes it possible to shoot such shots from a distance of 20-25 meters, but this is not the case.

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

Prices

Lens prices are available look at E-Katalog here, or in the price block below:

Results

Nikon 300 / 4E VR is a unique lens due to its lightness and compactness. There are no other analogues with such weight and dimensions yet. The image quality is high.

10 main advantages:

  1. very light weight and very compact size (as for a 300/4 class full frame autofocus lens with Image Stabilizer for SLR cameras)
  2. good / excellent optical performance
  3. high-quality assembly, front protective bumper, rubber mount for the mount, protective coating of the front lens
  4. detachable tripod foot support
  5. classic 77 mm filter diameter
  6. the ability to use a large number of autofocus teleconverters, users note that the lens works very well with TK
  7. fast and fairly quiet focusing motor
  8. internal focusing with excellent MDF, focusing distance limiter, advanced focusing modes A / MM / A
  9. ED lenses and PF lenses in optical design
  10. XNUMX-blade electromagnetically controlled diaphragm

10 main shortcomings:

  1. high cost, the price of the lens is in the region of $ 2000 (for the same money you can purchase Sigma 70-200 / 2.8 DG OS Sport + Sigma TC-1401 1.4x)
  2. the tripod foot is not included in the delivery set and separately costs around $ 160 (suitable for Nikon 70-200 / 4G VR), truth, the Chinese counterpart costs only about $ 10
  3. strong 'Focus Breathing' effect (changes in viewing angle during focusing)
  4. Nikon camera owners had to wait 15 years from the date of release Nikon AF-S 300 / 4Dto get a 300/4 class lens with stabilizer
  5. the focusing distance limiter is not adjustable (the older version has this feature Nikon AF 300/4)
  6. there is a network Get in touchthat the first batch of lenses had problems with the stabilizer (the stabilizer was ineffective)
  7. the inscription 'MADE IN CHINA' is not as pleasant for many users as the 'MADE IN JAPAN' in previous versions
  8. there may be specific glare in the backlight (a feature of optics with PF elements, it is possible to partially cure it using the original Capture NX-D utility)
  9. there is a network Get in touchthat some specimens suffer from a centering problem, which has a bad effect on detail at the edges and corners of the frame
  10. perceptible vignetting at F / 4, drop in sharpness in the corners and edges of the frame at F / 4

According provided by Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR lens (SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat) many thanks the store ProFotoSalewhere you can find many new and used lenses for different systems, including similar Nikon lenses.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

Add a comment: Vitaly Pinchuk

 

 

Comments: 14, on the topic: Review of Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4E PF ED VR SWM IF Nano Crystal Coat

  • The F

    Oh, and the sumny cat is still on D40, like I wrote to the FB))

  • Igor

    Great photographs are a statement that glass is still the dominant link in the lens-camera chain ...

  • Koba

    I think it will be interesting to say a few words about the prices, I will not talk about the new ones, but a BU in excellent condition costs at least $ 1200.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The variant from the review costs exactly $ 1000, in excellent condition

      • Koba

        So we found a lens that costs more in China than outside of China. Indirectly, this indicates that there is a greater demand for it.

    • Koba

      This is not a topic, but I would like to ask you for help - on my D3s a mirror began to stick a few days ago, I tried different batteries, different lenses, manual, autofocus, everything is the same. That is, the mirror sticks (not always, but often) in the upper position, if you unscrew the lens and press the shutter, then it goes down and is ready to work, and after a certain number of shutter operations it again sticks in the upper position and Err appears on the camera display ... What could be the matter here, and do you need to change the shutter right now? I also noticed that the camera mount itself needs to be cleaned, a lot of dirt has already got there within 3 years, but I don't think that's the case.

      • The F

        Well, then bring yogo into a literate service. To clean it, to perezmazhut, or even more. Here gadatism is dumb.

        • Koba

          Thank you!

  • Gromozeka

    The blue-eyed cat was filmed nva d40! It's just kapets! Arkady again multiplied all the "experts" on cameras !!

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Well, not all, but about half

    • Vitaly Pinchuk

      I guessed that this provocation was not just like that =)))

  • Egor

    Your D40 will have an anniversary soon, Arkady. A little more and there will be 200 thousand frames)

  • Evgeniy

    Respect to Daniil Komov, beautiful portraits of wildlife.

    Regarding d40, the colors are of course as always :)

  • PhotoCat

    There is such a lens. I shoot together with a 1,4 converter, in the end 420mm f5,6. I can say one thing, the lens is excellent. Sharpness is high, the picture is nice, focusing is pretty fast. The only drawback is the high cost.

Add a comment

Copyright © Radojuva.com. Blog author - Photographer in Kiev Arkady Shapoval. 2009-2023

Russian version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2021/11/nikon-n-af-s-nikkor-300mm-4e-pf-ed-vr-swm-if/?replytocom=510687

Versión en español de este artículo https://radojuva.com/es/2021/11/nikon-n-af-s-nikkor-300mm-4e-pf-ed-vr-swm-if/?replytocom=510687