Luminous Landscape Forum

Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: dwswager on August 12, 2015, 10:32:39 am

Title: Is Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR issue fixed?
Post by: dwswager on August 12, 2015, 10:32:39 am
Anyone shooting the 300mm f/4 PF with VR enabled?  Is the issue with shutter speeds of 1/80 -1/200th been corrected?

I can't see me lugging around the older 300mm f/4 because I'm not willing to leave the 70-200mm f/2.8 at home.

I intend to use it on a D7200 and D810 w/ and w/o a TC-14E.  I would mainly shoot this at much higher shutter speeds handheld (and possibly on a monopod) for sports or at all speeds on a tripod, but considering I'm mostly a hobbyist and this thing is $2000 I would actually like a fully functional lens.  If I'm paying for the VR, I would like to get it and might actually find use for it.
Title: Re: Is Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR issue fixed?
Post by: Dominique_R on August 22, 2015, 06:18:51 am
Yes, it is fixed. My copy had the problem, sent it back to Nikon France in May, they were fully aware, returned it 3 weeks later (not unusual for Nikon in Europe), works fine now. The fix was a firmware upgrade.

The problem is only when shooting with D8xx cameras.

All copies with a serial number higher than 205101 have been updated, as said on this page: https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/64211.
Title: Re: Is Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR issue fixed?
Post by: dwswager on August 22, 2015, 09:36:45 pm
Yes, it is fixed. My copy had the problem, sent it back to Nikon France in May, they were fully aware, returned it 3 weeks later (not unusual for Nikon in Europe), works fine now. The fix was a firmware upgrade.

The problem is only when shooting with D8xx cameras.

All copies with a serial number higher than 205101 have been updated, as said on this page: https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/64211.

Thanks.  I will be shooting it with a D810 and D7200.  I really think the Phase Frensel lenses are game changing.   Never purchased the old 300mm f/4 because weight and size meant it just wouldn't make it into the bag.  Know Nikon has a patent for a 200-400mm f/4-5.6 PF.  I Think a 400mm f/4 PF would be awesome on a DX body like the 7200.
Title: Re: Is Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR issue fixed?
Post by: Dominique_R on August 23, 2015, 03:35:27 am
The quality is outstanding when focusing on near to medium distance subjects (see below, I hope the photo uploads, this is the first time I try it on this forum). I am less convinced about the lens's capability to deal with haze at infinity, where I think the performance achieved by the 200~400/4, which I also own, are better. But of course, the PF lens is a lot better in terms of mobility.