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The pocket sized 300mm

jsf

Active member
Yes I can, I was rapidly losing daylight, and was curious what the two f/stops looked like for my own satisfaction. So I will take more time this weekend and do both with a near far subject, at the various f/stops, all at the same 100 ISO. In the preliminary look I see a reasonable Bokeh not at all like the 500mm mirror lens which I did own for a short period of time. I have found that on the old 300mm f/11 is quite sharp, it seems that diffraction at that f/stop is not a problem with that lens even on the d800. But my preference is f/5.6 or f/8 on that lens. I think it has to do with it being a long lens and a true 300mm.

My tripod technique is exactly that, Steen, mirror up and a built in delay of at least two seconds. Plus yesterday I was trying my new tripod, an Induro, that only weighs with the head 4 lbs. As opposed to my Majestic that weighs 13 lbs. So tomorrow a long and fruitful test.

The new lens is not quite 200mm in length. I wish it had a built in hood like my 200mm and 300mm have, rather than the cheap new lens hoods that Nikon is so fond of. I did do a hand held comparison at 6400 ISO and the new lens was superior in low light, no surprise there. But outside handheld at 800 ISO the old lens was equal at a distance. I am always amazed at how sharp the old lens is.

So I will post this weekend.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Between this and the new Sigma 24, I already know I'll soon be out of pocket $3 grand...
 

Swissblad

Well-known member
It's going to be an expensive year, Jack.... what I'm really concerned about is how to cope if Nikon releases a 600mm f4.0 PF lens that weighs in less than the current 300mm f2.8.....
 

jsf

Active member
Firstly everything was shot on a d800e at 100 ISO. Mirror locked up, 3s built in delay. Securely fastened on a 13 lb Majestic tripod. The two lens are identified as follows. The old 300mm f/4 is the ED IF and the new 300mm f/4 is the PF. I ran through the apertures from f/4 through f/16. I've included just the f/5.6-f/16, All of the images were batch processed in ACR in my presets, then into PS with two sharpening passes, one as an Un-sharp mask and the other was Smart Sharpen. I think that Smart sharpen has an un-sharp mask but I find that it seems to help a bit, in reality for myself I prefer for some of my images to be run a third time in sharpen edges but that is my taste for some things that I shoot. I didn't do that for the test.
First the 100% crops.
 

Swissblad

Well-known member
Another sample of photos taken with this cute little lens:

Alpinechaff

Snow Finch

There are also some taken with the Nikkor 800mm f5.6......... dream on....;)

And a nice thread on FM

This lens looks good - ideal for when weight / size is an issue!
 
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Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
It's going to be an expensive year, Jack.... what I'm really concerned about is how to cope if Nikon releases a 600mm f4.0 PF lens that weighs in less than the current 300mm f2.8.....
It'll be $7,000+ and worth it :ROTFL:
 
D

Deleted member 7792

Guest
This lens looks good - ideal for when weight / size is an issue!
At my age, weight/size is always an issue. :(

"jsf", thanks for the sample images. You've sealed the deal (for me).

Joe
 
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harmsr

Workshop Member
I can't wait to get one of these. I sold my 70-200, since I was always using it 200 only & wanted both better IQ / longer reach.

This would probably fit my Nikon world travel kit on Jack's other thread. My Nikon kit is a D810 with the 35 Sig ART, 50 Sig ART, Nikon 85/1.4, and then this new lens.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
It's certainly sharp, but shows a weird "busy" Bokeh in some of the images.
 

Jack

Sr. Administrator
Staff member
Yup, it's an issue for sure. I went through this with the Canon 400DO. Small, light, compact, fast and sharp is really great, but I know from past experience I'll end up choosing a heavier, slower (and still sharp) lens that delivers the looks every time...
 
D

Deleted member 7792

Guest
Great! Cancel all your pre-orders. I'll get mine quicker. :ROTFL:

Joe
 

Swissblad

Well-known member
Rather la di da review on NR......

Seems like a good lens - I just would have liked to see some sample images....
 
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