Topic: new Nikon 300mm f4 VR lens (Read 9190 times)

kers · « **on:** January 06, 2015, 11:18:05 am »

Nikon just announced a very interesting lens for action shooters..

A very small 300mm lens f4 with 4.5 stop image stabilisation with a weight of only 755 gram ! ( the old one was 1440 gr)

(With the 2.8 lens being 2900gr and 3x more expensive- you will really need the extra stop to choose it)

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/AF-S-NIKKOR-300mm-f%252F4E-PF-ED-VR.html?cid=web-0115-300mm

dwswager · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2015, 11:30:40 am »

Just slightly bigger than the 24-70mm f/2.8 and 145g lighter! And it uses 77mm filters like the 16-35mm f/4 VR, 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200mm f/2.8.

jwstl · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2015, 12:08:16 pm »

I couldn't believe the announced weight when I heard it. It's lighter than the 70-200 f/4 and about the same as the 70-300 VR.

Chairman Bill · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2015, 12:42:16 pm »

Looks good, though one look at the price & I conclude that my 300 f4 AF-S will have to do for some time to come

Petrus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2015, 02:22:01 pm »

Canon has a similar 400mm design if I remember correctly, using fresnel ground lens halfs glued together. Demands extremely precise work to avoid flaring and loss of contrast (Canon admits contrast is not perfect). This level of precision in glass grinding/routing (whatever the working method is called) has become possible only recently. Advantage comes from the possibility of making much thinner lens elements.

Paul2660 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2015, 04:25:54 pm »

Will it work the Nikon teleconverters?

Paul

dwswager · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2015, 04:36:22 pm »

Quote from: Paul2660 on January 06, 2015, 04:25:54 pm

Will it work the Nikon teleconverters?

Paul

Yes, as shown below. Basically, half the weight of the previous AF-S 300mm f/4 ED-IF! Until we get more test data, I will reserve jubilation, but consider applying these materials/construction techniques to the 24-70mm f/2.8. Get a lens with less size, less weight and VR in the package! If this is the future, I like it!

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:10:51 pm »

The concern with these designs, as acknowledged by Nikon themselves, is flare with direct light in the frame.

I am personally not sure it makes sense to only release such a lens for general shooting.

Cheers,
Bernard

dwswager · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:26:27 pm »

Quote from: BernardLanguillier on January 06, 2015, 05:10:51 pm

The concern with these designs, as acknowledged by Nikon themselves, is flare with direct light in the frame.

I am personally not sure it makes sense to only release such a lens for general shooting.

Cheers,
Bernard

I do hope the previous model stays around for that reason. But options are always welcome as everyone's shoot style and subject matter is not the same. BTW, if you don't need the use of TCs or VR, the AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED (3rd gen, 1st w/ tripod foot) is optically a great lens and a real work horse. Used one for almost 17 years. Nikon still sells them and they are about 1/2 the price of the current AF-S NIKKOR
70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II (5th gen, 3rd w/ tripod foot).

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2015, 05:39:24 pm »

I was hoping for a lens using the same technology as the 400mm f2.8E FL, the image quality is just out of this world good.

Cheers,
Bernard

kers · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2015, 11:50:06 am »

there are some samples on

https://photographylife.com/nikon-300mm-f4e-pf-ed-vr-image-samples

also one with the sun right in the frame...

not 100% though

Hulyss · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2015, 11:57:31 am »

Here you go : Shot with the D4s

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/797040095.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/2890333310.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/751823670.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/277913499.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/4010834069.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/1582665879.jpg

Some Guy · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2015, 01:09:45 pm »

Looks interesting, but I'll await some hard numbers from DxO or Photozone.de first.

I did note the PF lens and the contrast issues seem to be addressed somewhat in their Capture NX-D NEF converter:

Quote:

"Due to the characteristics of a PF (Phase Fresnel) lens that utilizes the photo diffraction phenomenon, when there is a strong light source within the frame or when light enters the lens from outside of the frame, ring-shaped colored flare may occur according to shooting conditions. This phenomenon can be minimized with "PF Flare Control" included in Capture NX-D. See the comparison images below: original image (above), PF Flare Control applied (below). Refer to the software manual for more information. Capture NX-D is available from our website. Please download and use the latest version."

Source bottom of this page under the PF lens stuff: http://www.nikon.com/news/2015/0106_lens_02.htm

It'll be interesting if other RAW converters will address that, although it could be a proprietary license by Nikon too so ACR, DxO, or others may not fix it as well.

Also curious as to why Nikon released photos with their 24MP cameras (D4 & D75) and not a D810 too with that lens.

SG

Hulyss · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2015, 01:15:45 pm »

Because it is a sport lens for sport AF cameras. The D8xx camera are not meant to be sports camera, at all.

kers · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2015, 01:25:58 pm »

Well, it is also a bit strange that Nikon is not able to produce good 18MP jpegs even if they are 16mb.? (797040095.jpg)
a lot of them lack good detail... ( the same problem we saw with the OTUS 55 samples)
Then they say with half of the images : shot wit a preproduction model: so as an example unreliable...useless
I do not understand these kinds of bad publicity...

Dan Wells · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2015, 03:21:14 pm »

I thought Canon had the patent on this design... Where it makes even more sense is for mirrorless bodies. A friend has the Canon 70-300 DO, so I'll ask him about the flare.

-Dan

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2015, 04:40:20 pm »

Quote from: Dan Wells on January 07, 2015, 03:21:14 pm

I thought Canon had the patent on this design... Where it makes even more sense is for mirrorless bodies. A friend has the Canon 70-300 DO, so I'll ask him about...

This being said it isn't the first time Nikon uses this technology it seems and there are probably major differences in output quality depending on actual implementation details.

The new 400mm DO is probably a more relevant data point to assess what we can expect.

Cheers,
Bernard

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2015, 06:13:31 pm »

Quote from: Hulyss on January 07, 2015, 11:57:31 am

Here you go : Shot with the D4s

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/797040095.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/2890333310.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/751823670.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/277913499.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/4010834069.jpg

http://www.nikon-asia.com/tmp/Asia/2419865273/3760176746/2586568015/3411514853/1064510860/817764466/87004660/3015334490/365508689/1887721864/1610705767/3150104748/2909332022/1582665879.jpg

Thanks, I find these samples to be pretty impressive overall.

This lens may be exactly what I need for a very specific series of images.

Cheers,
Bernard

Hulyss · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2015, 06:20:49 pm »

Yea I'm spoiled. My favourite, so far, is the two joggers with mountain in background. This lens seems to draw things with subtlety. I do not need it but, if I have the spare money before the end of 2015, I might take it especially for distant landscapes and hiking.

BernardLanguillier · « **Reply #19 on:** January 07, 2015, 07:35:00 pm »

Quote from: Hulyss on January 07, 2015, 06:20:49 pm

Yea I'm spoiled. My favourite, so far, is the two joggers with mountain in background. This lens seems to draw things with subtlety. I do not need it but, if I have the spare money before the end of 2015, I might take it especially for distant landscapes and hiking.

Exactly, it seems to perform very well near infinity, which has been a weak spot of many Nikon tele designs these past few years.

Cheers,
Bernard

Author Topic: new Nikon 300mm f4 VR lens (Read 9190 times)