Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Cameras, Lenses and Shooting gear => Topic started by: kers on January 06, 2015, 11:18:05 am
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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
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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.
(http://cdn-4.nikon-cdn.com/en_INC/o/uurkpRbmbx96WcSbMWudvm85pU0/Photography/20056_MTF_01_en.jpg)
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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.
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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
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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.
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Will it work the Nikon teleconverters?
Paul
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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!
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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
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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).
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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
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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
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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
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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 (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
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Because it is a sport lens for sport AF cameras. The D8xx camera are not meant to be sports camera, at all.
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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...
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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Hi,
Just been looking at this new lens on B&H’s website and it seems that if doesn’t come with a rotating lens collar which is annoying.
Cheers
Simon
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The tripod collar is a $170 optional accessory.
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It's optional and you should be grateful. Nikon makes some great products but lens collars aren't one of them. Now you can save a few bucks and buy a real collar from Kirk. Also, the 70-200 f/4 didn't come with one and it really isn't needed because the lens is so light. But if you insist on the Nikon, you could get multiple uses from it since both the new 300 and the 70-200 f/4 use the same collar, the RT-1.
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It's optional and you should be grateful. Nikon makes some great products but lens collars aren't one of them. Now you can save a few bucks and buy a real collar from Kirk. Also, the 70-200 f/4 didn't come with one and it really isn't needed because the lens is so light. But if you insist on the Nikon, you could get multiple uses from it since both the new 300 and the 70-200 f/4 use the same collar, the RT-1.
Indeed. The Really Right Stuff one for the 70-200f4 is another excellent option.
Cheers,
Bernard
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Hi,
Just been looking at this new lens on B&H’s website and it seems that if doesn’t come with a rotating lens collar which is annoying.
Cheers
Simon
Mainly because it is unnecessary due to the small size and weight of the lens. And as other point out, if you would like the rotating tripod collar for better balance, especially if using TCs, or framing then the RRS and Kirk options would be a good way to go.