Previously I was using the capable consumer 55-300mm for telephoto. The 55-300mm gets soft at full tele, yet that's where I often found myself using the lens. After hitting the limits of what that lens can do, it made sense to get something better. I chose this 300mm f4 prime.

This is the third version of this lens that I have owned. The two previous were the older and the newer f/2.8 vesions. To own one of these long lenses will be a compromise on your part. While they reach out to capture distant images, they are not without their limitations.

I am currently using this lens with a Nikon D800. I read a lot of online reviews before making the purchase. And I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to purchase this lens. I have captured some incredible wildlife shots of deer with this lens!

I bought this lens because of its reputation for incredible sharpness and close-focusing ability. My primary use since purchasing this lens in April of 2008 has been close-up photography of dragonflies. I use it in combination with the Nikon 1.4x TC on a D200.

Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

No VR; Suspect tripod collar

Primarily purchased as a ‘with minimum compromise' telephoto lens for wildlife photography, after years of being ultimately disappointed by the performance of 70-300 f.4-5.6-type lenses when compared to my prime wide-angle and medium-range telephoto lenses.

Pretty much everything; see above

Pretty much nothing; see above

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Durable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Heavy

This is a great lens, a really great lens. Sharpness is excellent from f4 and only gets marginally better at f5.6 to f8. No Chromatic Aberration or Color fringing. No distortion obeserved. AF is fast, but not like newer generations AFS.

very sharp wide-open

Flimsy tripodfoot

The Nikon 300 mm f4 AF-S ED-IF lens is a professional quality lens that I considered buying after se

Exceptionally fast and silent focusing professional quality lens

Needs a better & stronger tripod mount

Being a lady of demure proportions I was hesitant about the weight of the lens. I bought it with the 1.4 TC and I am getting excellent results. I need a lot more more practice with handheld but I'm getting there.

Consistent Output; Durable; Quick Focus; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Stupid Little Collar Hand

Just got a copy and am bowled over by it! Lovely stuff! It's very well presented in a nice box and lens pouch, and very well made too. It's not too long nor too heavy. But crucially, it is very sharp wide open. Stopping down just increases the dof. I'm using it in a D7100 and together they sing.