Question:
Don’t be misled by the "D" feature. It has other uses other than just with the flash. It comes in handy on the F5, N90s, N70, N50 and PRONEA 6i for auto-exposure (matrix metering) too.
How does it use this information for things other than the flash? –KAS
Response:
Does anyone know if Nikon is planning to upgrade the venerable but very old 300mm f4.0 AF lens anytime soon. I keep waiting for them to come out with a new version of this lens with an internal AF motor. Thought some of ya’ll may be more up on any rumors/gossip with regard to this subject.
And "D", too! This lens is one of the last non-D AF lenses available from Nikon. Some say the "D" circuit is of little value in a 300mm, but I would think there are some folks using it for birds / small mammals that would appreciate a little magic on the fill flash.
I just checked the catalog and you’re right, the last remaining non-D AF lenses are the 50mm f/1.8 and the 300mm f/4. That’s it. Except for those two, AF implies D in Nikon’s current line. Even the AF-S 600mm f/4 is a D lens and its closest focus distance is 20 feet (still within small flash range but getting out there). I’d like to see a "D" version of the 300 f/4 lens for the flash applications. Not everything shot with a 300mm is far away and a zoom that runs f/5.6 at 300mm really isn’t that great. The 300mm f/4 can already focus down to 8.5 feet and that’s well within flash range. I’m not sure if I really want to spring for the AF-S motor premium but I might. It depends upon how big the premium is (size/weight and cost). Now if only they would convert some of their fast manual focus lenses that have no AF equivalents like the 35mm f/1.4 and the 200mm f/2. I’d gladly even take just AI-P conversions with these so I could get matrix metering and balanced fill flash but as long as they’re doing it, they might as well go AF and D. –KAS
Response:
Comment: And "D", too! This lens is one of the last non-D AF lenses available from Nikon. Some say the "D" circuit is of little value in a 300mm, but I would think there are some folks using it for birds / small mammals that would appreciate a little magic on the fill flash. Observation: Don’t be misled by the "D" feature. It has other uses other than just with the flash. It comes in handy on the F5, N90s, N70, N50 and PRONEA 6i for auto-exposure (matrix metering) too.
Response:
It would be great if they AFSed the 400/3.5. Jim
snip – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Rumor also has it that Nikon will release a 400/4.5 AFS. I don’t know why…the 400/2.8 is light enough…provided you use the free powerlifting program that comes with it ;^) Peace, Don
Response:
Alright gals (and guys), Does anyone know if Nikon is planning to upgrade the venerable but very old 300mm f4.0 AF lens anytime soon. I keep waiting for them to come out with a new version of this lens with an internal AF motor. Thought some of ya’ll may be more up on any rumors/gossip with regard to this subject.
And "D", too! This lens is one of the last non-D AF lenses available from Nikon. Some say the "D" circuit is of little value in a 300mm, but I would think there are some folks using it for birds / small mammals that would appreciate a little magic on the fill flash. I think Don’s speculation is about as accurate as anything I’ve heard. -Todd — Todd & Sharon Peach Seattle, Washington (zone 7) http://home1.gte.net/tpeach/NoPlaceLikeHome.htm
Response:
on’t be misled by the "D" feature. It has other uses other than just :with the flash. It comes in handy on the F5, N90s, N70, N50 and PRONEA :6i for auto-exposure (matrix metering) too. : How does it use this information for things other than the flash? According to the Magic Lantern Guide for the N70: "By evaluating distance in addition to brightness and contrast data, the odds of exposure accuracy are increased. This improvement is not dramatic because Advanced Matrix metering (with any AF Nikkor lens) was already so sophisticated. With print films it is unlikely you’ll notice any difference. With slides, certain high contrast situations will be more accurately exposed because the exposure is optimised for the subject in sharpest focus." — Mark P. Nelson, Programmer/Analyst Department of Integrative Biology, Thomson Laboratory Clotho, Lachesis, Atropos — the only sysadmins that matter
Response:
Alright gals (and guys), Does anyone know if Nikon is planning to upgrade the venerable but very old 300mm f4.0 AF lens anytime soon. I keep waiting for them to come out with a new version of this lens with an internal AF motor. Thought some of ya’ll may be more up on any rumors/gossip with regard to this subject. TIA, MD
Response:
Just a guess, but since they’ve "AFS’ed" the 80-200 and 28-70 f/2.8s, I’d expect the 300/4 will be next. The AF on the 300/4 is notoriously slow and there are a lot of Nikon customers mad about the fact that there are STILL no AF converters for it. Add to that the fact that a lot of people have bailed on this lens in favor of an EOS body, EF300/4 and a pair of EF converters, and the Nikkor 300/4 seems ripe for an upgrade. Rumor also has it that Nikon will release a 400/4.5 AFS. I don’t know why…the 400/2.8 is light enough…provided you use the free powerlifting program that comes with it ;^) Peace, Don Alright gals (and guys), Does anyone know if Nikon is planning to upgrade the venerable but very old 300mm f4.0 AF lens anytime soon. I keep waiting for them to come out with a new version of this lens with an internal AF motor. Thought some of ya’ll may be more up on any rumors/gossip with regard to this subject. TIA, MD
– For a look at a few of my photos. http://www.cleveland.com/ultrafolder/airshow
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