Nikon Ed Af-I 300mm 2.8 Lens as upgrade from Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF-D

<p>Morning all.<br>

<br />I'm using a Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 ED AF-D on a D7000 to shoot sports. I'm getting some decent results depending on light/weather etc.<br>

Having spent an evening with a friend shooting at 300mm f/2.8 and reviewed his photos, I'm considering updating to a prime 300mm lens for increased reach and sharpness. I've found a 2nd hand Nikon Ed Af-I 300mm 2.8 for sale at a reasonable price.<br>

I'm wondering if this would be a good upgrade. Budget is a consideration (isn't it always) so that precludes me from going for a newer model.<br /><br />Would really appreciate any advice from anyone using such a lens.</p>

<p>You need to be aware that there are quite a few variants of lenses meeting that description. Google "Nikon Ed Af-I 300mm 2.8 Lens" and look at what you find, but be aware that some sites are considered more reliable than others.</p>

<p>I shoot an old 300mm f/4 myself. It doesn't get a lot of respect these days, but I got it for less than $500 on the auction site, and it is tack sharp. The auto-focus, though not fast, is very accurate. If I shoot at ISO 800, I get clean images and good shutter speeds on my own Nikon DSLRs. I won't try to speak for all of them.</p>

<p>--Lannie<strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>You might find something of value on the MIR site:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mm.htm"><strong>http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mm.htm</strong></a><br /> <br /> Be aware of links within the link:<br>

<strong><strong> </strong></strong><br>

<strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mmedif20/index.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/2.0s EDIF</strong></a><strong>| </strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mmedif28/index.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/2.8s EDIF</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/300mm.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 EDIF</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/preAI70/300mmf28.htm"><strong>Pre-Ai Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 ED Preset</strong> <strong>|</strong> <strong>Non-Ai Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 Preset</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mmf45.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/4.5s EDIF</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/300mmf45ed.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 EDIF</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/300mmf45ed.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 ED</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/preAI70/300mmf45ed.htm"><strong>Pre-Ai Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 ED</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/telephotos/300mmf45.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/4.5s</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/late70nikkor/telephoto/300mmf45ed.htm"><strong>Nikkor 300mm f/4.5</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/preAI70/300mmf45ed.htm"><strong>Pre-Ai Nikkor 300mm f/4.5</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/telephoto/300mm.htm"><strong>Non-Ai Nikkor-H 300mm f/4.5</strong> <strong>|</strong> <strong>Non-Ai Nikkor-P 300mm f/4.5</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/telephoto/focusingunit.htm"><strong>Nikon Focusing Unit AU-1</strong></a><strong>|</strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/telephoto/focusingunit.htm"><strong>Original Focusing Unit</strong></a><strong>|</strong><strong>Relative</strong><strong>: </strong><a href="http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/nikkoresources/6070nikkor/telephoto/300mm.htm"><strong>Nikkor-Q 25cm f/4.0 RF</strong></a></strong><br>

<strong><strong> </strong></strong><br>

--Lannie<strong><br /></strong></p>

<p>Lens I am looking at is Nikkor ED AF-I 300mm 1:2.8 D. Think it's around 15/16 years old. I'll try and get the exact model number. </p>

<p>I am using the AF-I 300mm f2.8 with my D300, D700 and D800 cameras. I find it to be an excellent lens and as long as you test it before you buy I can not see you going wrong with it. It focuses fast (I have not used newer 300mm lenses to compare), and is very sharp. I find it also to work very well with the AF-I TC-14 and TC-20 III converters. Make sure you get the lens hood with it and a L37c filter inserted in the filter holder. Mine was mint when I bought it and I paid the same as a new AF-S 70-300 VR. Well worth it!<br>

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/specs.html#300<br>

http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/afi30028.jpg</p>

<blockquote>

<p>You need to be aware that there are quite a few variants of lenses meeting that description.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There's only one AF-I version - produced from 1992 to 1996. Nikon's first 300mm f/2.8 with an internal focusing motor (hence the "I") - predecessor to the AF-S but using a different type of motor. </p>

<p>There's not a single 300 f/2.8 that isn't optically excellent - my main concern buying that particular lens now would be whether parts (particularly the motor) are still available in case the lens needs repair.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>It focuses fast</p>

</blockquote>

<p>From all I've heard (never used the lens myself), AF is actually quite slow.</p>

<p>If you are trying to shoot handheld, a 300mm f2.8 will be a step backwards. I'd look for a used Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 VC, or a used Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR-1</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

<p> Paul C.<br>

Just out of curiosity. Is it for sale on Craigslist from Ann Arbor, Michigan for $990.00US. I was considering it or that AF-S 80-200m f2.8D ED on the same page. My concern is that Nikon for an example, can not repair the 80-200 any more do to a lack of repair parts. Not trying to shy you away from it, but some to think about with the older Nikon lens. <br>

Pete from the Detroit, MI. area.</p>

<p>The draw back to the first version AFS lenses is that when they die they become door stops. I have an 80-200 f/2.8 AFS that is an amazing door stop and a very nice manual focus 80-200... I replaced it with the Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 and could not be any happier. Its not a 300 but it is a lot easier to hand hold then a 300 is.</p>

<p>FWIW, all the 300 f/4 lenses are great. I've used the first 300 f/4 ED-IF with 82mm front ring. And the AFS version. I also tried the 300 f/2.8 on a rental one trip. I prefer the f/4 for a size and weight. Image quality on all of these is really excellent.</p>

<p>I shoot birds with DX and the 300 on a monopod.</p>

<p>Also to consider is the 200-500 f/5.6 if you can get by with f/5.6</p>

<p>Thanks Dieter, I had heard that AF could be an issue. I'm shooting fast moving sports (Gaelic (Irish) football) so need quick AF. The pitch is much larger than a soccer pitch as well so the extra reach is required.<br /><br />Would anyone have any suggestions re. a good step up 300mm lens that won't break the bank?</p>

<p>Sebastian,<br>

Thanks for that. I've seen 300mm f/4 AF-S ED 2nd hand at reasonable prices so maybe that's a good step-up. I'm in Ireland so the light is seldom fantastic but I can use the 80-200 alongside it for when I need the extra speed. </p>

 

<p>Paul, if f/4 works for you, these are great lenses. When I had the 300 f/2.8 and used it for birds, I wound up at f/4 most of the time anyway, so it was no advantage for me. In lower light, conclusion might be different.</p>

<p>I have the first versions of both the 300mm/f2.8 AF-S (1996 version) and 300mm/f4 AF-S (2000). Before I got lighter lenses such as the 80-400mm AF-S VR, the 300mm/f2.8 AF-S was my preferred lens for birds in flight, even though hand holding such a heavy lens is somewhat difficult, and I too frequently stop down to f4 anyway. The main difference is that I think the AF motor inside the 300mm/f4 AF-S is somewhat weak, leading to slow AF and a much lower percentage of keepers for birds in flight. Optically both lenses are fine, but AF is much faster in the f2.8 version. That 20-year-old lens remains to be excellent today, although I don't have the new AF-S VR version to compare with.</p>

<p>If you buy any old lens, parts will almost always be a concern. However, I have a few old AF-S lenses dated back to the end of last century. So far I haven't had any AF-S motor failures. Whether the price/risk trade off is worthwhile or not is up to each individual to decide.</p>

<p>Last year I decided to sell my 300 AF-I. I din't use'it to often... It was in mint condition almost like new. Wonderful optics - in fact, it is the only Nikon 300mm made with 4 ED glass. On D3 focus was quite fast but not as fast as 70-200/2,8 VRII, and a little bit noisy. Wonderful construction with crinkle finish paint.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.apug.org/forum/index.php?threads/nikon-300mm-ƒ2-8-d-af-s-if-ed.134959/">This is the lens you want, if you have $2000.</a> <a href="http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_tele.html">Nikon's most incredible optic.</a></p>