kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

I'm presently shooting with a Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED IF on a D7100 and D7200. Yes, I know it's a full-frame lens on a crop-sensor body but that isn't the issue.

I do mostly fire photography, which includes helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft of various types. I find that most of my "aerial" shots have been made with the lens at the 300mm maximum. I'm looking for a 300mm that will render sharper images than the zoom. Yes, I know that much of that is on me and my "technique" and ability to hold the camera steady. I get that.

Back in the late 80s/early 90s, I had the 300mm f4.5 AI-S manual focus lens that I used on my FE2. Back then, I didn't have many opportunities to use it and it was stolen (along with all my gear) in 1994. Never replaced it. But I'm looking to add a 300mm to my "arsenal" once again.

My choices are between that same lens I used to have, the 300mm f4.5 AI-S, a somewhat newer f4 AF or the even newer F4 AFS. Of course aircraft aren't moving around in the frame quite as fast as birds do, so I supposed my question, to start is… is the AF that important for what I do? If it is, is the AFS lens a better quality lens than the older AF, or are they both very close image-wise?

Between the AF and the AFS, all I've been able to find out is that the AF's autofocus is significantly slower than with the AFS. But, slow as it is, it's still faster than MY own ability to get focus. In other words, is it fast enough? Or should I just look for the manual focus version?

Apologies for the rambling and repetition, just looking for comments and opinions. Thank you.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Image quality on the early af version is quite good. Af-s quality is a fair amount better. The af-s version can be picked up used at a reasonable price. Either one is better than the manual. Speaking of which avoid the early 300 f4.5 non ed version. ED was a big improvement. Most recent version, PF is small and nimble but a lot more money. Shooting fires the intense point source light would play to the fresnel's weakness. I would advise going for the af-s. Available on ebay for around $350.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Some good advice, here. The lens I had was the non-ED version, by the way. As I said, I didn't have much experience using it. The PF is out of the question simply on price. I never considered the fresnel issue you mentioned. Very interesting. So, your recommendation would be the AFS version. Yes?

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Yes, go with af-s.

moosus

I have a question in regards to a Nikkor 300 1:4E PF ED I bought used last year. I see nothing about AF-S on the barrel. In general terms, how does this lens rate with the other 300's I see cited here that have AF-S?

Bill_de Loc: US

Put your best glasses on. The description on the barrel should be "AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1:4E PF ED"
I tried to show it in gold, but gold doesn't stand out on the UHH background.

https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-300mm-f%252f4e-pf-ed-vr.html

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CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I've shot with the Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S on a D7100, a great combo. That was about 10 years ago, but today, I'd go with the Nikon 300mm f/4 PF VR, simply for the VR support.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Guys, yes the PF has great advantages. Read the OPs criteria. 1) the pf is beyond budget constraints. 2) he shoots fires....those super bright light sources where the PF lense will be subpar.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

On UHH, we spend other people's money as if it was our own. When I look at the price difference, I spend the OP's money on the VR support, just as the OP should as well. Keeping up with the UHH Joneses is a fool's errand. Nothing you have will ever be good enough to our standards.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BTW kb6kgx, there's a 300 PF here for-sale for about half the new-lens price: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-771467-1.html

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

That’s great but even $1000 is not happening for me. Thank you.

Orphoto Loc: Oregon

Paul, I have the opposite issue. My quality standards vastly exceed most work shown here and equipment discussions are on another level. Along with the rest of the henhouse i will though help you spend your childrens inheritance.

moosus

Damn ur right. I'm an old f***ing geezer. Completely ignored it. Tks

Bill_de Loc: US

Your photos will be much better now



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chrisg-optical Loc: New York, NY

I would go with the AF-S version, but not the PF in your case. Look for deals on ebay from Japanese sellers - usually these lenses are clean and well cared for. The older AF-S 300mm will be heavier than the PF version, but still great IQ, and you will avoid the Fresnel flare issues. Also the older AF-S versions are usually made in Japan. As a point of reference I got a used 300mm PF f/4 on KEH for only $875 in EX condition - looks almost new and works great. Using it on the Z6ii with an FTZii adapter. Light lens. I will not normally shoot into bright highlights like fire but we'll see....I will use it mainly for birds and nature. Very light and compact lens, so those are its big plusses.