vbhargava Loc: San Diego

Currently I have a Tamron 150-600mm G1 lens with Nikon D750, and am considering upgrading to a lighter lens. I am 76 years old and would like to switch to lighter gear. I would like to know from UHHers who have used Nikon 300mm F/4 VR PF lens with a TC-14E iii what is their experience. I will be using for wild life photography. I will not be using for sport/ action photography. I realize by switching to prime lens I will loose the zoom but hopefully I will get an edge to edge sharper and faster lens. Look forward to hearing your opinions.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

Nikon 300mm F/4 VR PF lens with a TC-14E iii

vbhargava Loc: San Diego

Do you have this lens? If so what is your experience?

Muddyvalley Loc: McMinnville, Oregon

I'll be 73 in May, and I have lost all the usual muscle mass I have the TC-14E, a 300mm f/4 PF, the 500mm f/5.6 PF, and a 500mm F/4 FL. The 500mm FL will feel like a feather compared to your Tamron. You may want to rent one to give it a try. I use the extender on all but the 500PF because it stops it down too much. I hand hold all of these. For the 500 f/4 FL lens I use a Peak design strap attached to the lens, allowing me to carry it at my side easily & swing it up to shoot. For the 300PF, I attach it to the camera.You should have no problem at all with either the 300 or the 500 PF lenses. I have used all of the above (and more) in my previous posts. (it should be in the metadata)I really like the 300PF better than the 500 and it usually lives with the 1.4 extender on it. Being able to focus close makes it ideal for things like dragonflies. The 300 is a wonderfully sharp lens and if you get one you will like it. I just weighed mine & it came in @ 1lb 13oz with the hood & cap on, the same as my AF-s 105mm 1:2.8 micro. The 300PF doesn't come with a tripod collar/foot, because it does not need one. There is not enough weight that bending the lens mount on the camera is an issue. Basically, if you get the 300 you will never regret it. However, if you are shooting birds, you may want to later get a longer lens. I have a D850, a D500, and can borrow my wife's D7200 when needed. I wish I had kept my D750 because I really liked it.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I'm 71.
I have that lens and TC combo. I'm very pleased with the results. Living in Florida I do a lot of wildlife photography with it. You will be pleased.

ricardo00

You are doing much better than me! I am only 70 and I switched to lighter gear a while ago. To be honest, I actually tried the Tamron 150-600mm and sent it back, too big and bulky. I have had the 300mm f/4 PF lens now for over 5 years and love it! I occasionally use it with the TC-14iii as well as the TC-17 but it is best alone. I also picked up a 500mm f/5.6 PF and now often use that. If you want to squeeze out some more reach, you might consider switching to a D500 (or D7500) instead of the D750, you can get almost 50% more pixels on your subject. The PF lens are fast to focus and sharp compared to the Tamron, IMO, though you lose the zoom and I know many people who get some great photos with it (as well as the Sigma).

PS. I post on flickr if you want to see some of my pics with the 300mm pf lens:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/60519499@N00/albums/72157648619837463

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Man. Everyone posting their ages. And what does that have to with question at hand?

Anyhow, the FX AF-P 70-300 is relatively light and has great image quality.

Doc Barry Loc: Huntsville, Alabama USA

The Tamron is 74.5 oz for the in-use weight while the Nikon is 26.6 oz. You will be happy with the Nikon with the TC-14E iii. BTW, you are not old at 76, just an advanced middle-aged photographer.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I bought this lens but returned it as it made a buzzing sound when using auto focus. Maybe not so good for wildlife if this noise is evident on another lens. No problem in returning it but I dont think they thought this a fault, so I dont know if this is a problem or not. Maybe an argument to try it first.

leftyD500 Loc: Ocala, Florida

I have that lens, and you will not be sorry if you but it, it is totally awesome. I will be getting the teleconverter tomorrow, can't wait to try that out.

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

I’ll join the group that uses the 300mm f4PF with rhe TC 14III and love it. This is a great conbo.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

When I shoot the Nikon 300 f4 VR I mount it on my D500 to get the reach. I do not like or use the TC-14E. Just don't use them.
I am 72 and my go to lens is the 200-500 on the D500. I have shot the 200-500 on the D850 and have got great results.
The Nikon E lenses are all great and designed to work on high meg. Nikon camera's.
Personally the 500 5.6 E lens is even better and you would not need the TC-14E.
Below is a shot taken with the 300 f4 E with the D500, 1/1250 sec. at f4, iso 400.
Learn to get close to your pray and you won't need the TC-14E.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

I've never heard any buzz with mine.

Old44

I have it and LOVE it. Very light and extremely sharp and takes a TC 1.4III very well.

ksmmike

I have the lens and use it often. I've used it for BIF and sports. I do find that I lose some shots from being restricted to the 300mm range, long and short and will lose images due to it not autofocusing fast enough. I've used it with a D750 and a D850.

I haven't used a TC yet but plan to do so in the future. It's not great for sports but it will work. I've used it in crop mode on the D750 for sports. I also occasionally use it as a portrait lens.

Overall, it's a very good lens. I don't regret owning it and is one of my go to lenses. I bought it because of the light weight and I had to take a lens under 6 inches long (its about 6 1/8") into ball parks. Once you learn how to use the lens and know what to expect you will be quite pleased with the results. It takes sharp images with good color. If you have the cash, its worth purchasing for BIF or birds in general, landscapes, limited sports and portraits.