worth it? Tokina AF 100-300mm f/4 AT-X II?

[denny_lai1]

<p>I am still looking for a long tele for birds and wildlife. I came across to see a used Tokina AF 100-300mm f/4 AT-X II, with my D7000, I get 150-450mm roughly and it is very reasonable cost. I know this is an older lens and the focus will be slow, but for the reach i get and the price i found (under $400), I am actually considering it, do you have any thought? Thanks in advance.</p>

[Andrew Garrard]

<p>Photozone tested <a href="http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/279-tokina-af-100-300mm-f4-at-x-ii-lab-test-report--review?start=1">the Canon mount version</a> and weren't too impressed by the 300mm end, for what it's worth. A lot of lenses with this approximate zoom range were a bit iffy at the long end up until around the vintage of the Canon 70-300 IS. I think I heard good things about the Sigma version, but please check reviews, because I may have imagined it.<br />

<br />

With the obvious risks of doing so, the Nikkor 300 f/4 AF prime does appear to be available, at least used, from a well-known auction site for about $400 (though I've not checked the details). You might want to check how well that holds up optically to the AF-S version (which is, I suspect, what you could really do with), but it might be worth the investigation. There seem to be some <a href="http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00ccmm">happy customers</a>, anyway.<br />

<br />

I hope that was more helpful than not. And disclaimer: of these, I've only used the 300 f/4 AF-S (and the 70-300 IS). Good luck.</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<p>FWIW, here's the Sigma 100-300 tested on a Nikon D200: http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests/369-sigma-af-100-300mm-f4-nikon - seems to perform at a somewhat higher level than the Tokina version and quite similar to the Nikon 300/4 AF-S. Tried a friend's copy once - as long as one avoids shooting against the light, the Sigma is doing fine.<br>

I second Andrew's suggestion of looking for a Nikon 300/4 (non-AF-S) instead; I owned one and it performs quite well even though AF is slow (which can be somewhat mitigated by making use of the excellent focus limiter).</p>

[2Oceans]

<p>Denny, I have owned both the Nikon 300mm f4 AFS and the older 300mm f4 AF ED IF. The latter is comparable in image quality to the AFS version and should be compatible with your body. I replaced mine because I wanted a smaller filter size to better use my 77mm polarizer and supposedly better autofocus. The old lens has a much better tripod collar and has a decent autofocus. The newer version is slow for an AFS lens. You can pick the older version in EX shape for $465 at KEH. Its a rap real bargain. If you want a 100-300mm f4 zoom then the Sigma is the one with a good reputation but hard to find. Good hunting.</p>

[denny_lai1]

<p>Andrew, Dieter- Thank you for the suggestion.<br>

Edward- Thanks for the information. In your opinion , the older version AF ED IF, did it focus fast enough if you are catching in flight shots? and did you have any experience with any of the teleconverter? I am also think to get a 1.4x converter, Nikon or Kendo. I know about the lost of f stop on the converter, if I use it with the 300mm f4, does that mean I get 630mm reach with f5.6?<br>

I had borrowed a 70-200mm vr ii and of course I had fun with it but it was a little too short. I tried to move closer to the birds with no good result. Here is a sample of one that I think it's ok and I had to crop it for 50%<br>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17783315-md.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="429" /></p>

[marypar4]

I owned the Tamron 200-500 and recently sold it for $400. I found it to be reasonable sharp and light weight I just got their new one so I

suspect the old version will flooding the ebay site:-)

[Dieter Schaefer]

<blockquote>

<p>get a 1.4x converter, Nikon or Kendo</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Nikon makes no TC that fits the older 300/4 AF IF-ED lens (and allows AF) - they work with AF-S lenses only (unless you file of the tab that prevents mounting non-AF-S lenses). I used a Kenko 1.5x TC but would recommend to look for a Kenko Pro one instead.<br /> As to the question whether AF is fast enough for bird-in-flight shots? The answer, as usual, is that it depends. Larger, slow moving birds and those with non-erratic flight paths are OK, provided light is good and the background isn't too busy. Anything fast or erratically moving is a lost cause in my experience. As can be expected, adding a TC slows things down even more. Like with all screw-driven AF lenses, the AF-motor in the camera matters too; I don't know how powerful the one in the D7000 is - I used the lens mostly on a D200 (not sure I ever mounted it on a D300).</p>

<blockquote>

<p>does that mean I get 630mm reach with f5.6</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Adding a 1.4x TC to a 300mm lens results in 420mm focal length; doing so on a 1.5x crop-factor camera gives the angle-of-view equivalent of 630mm.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>If you want a 100-300mm f4 zoom then the Sigma is the one with a good reputation but hard to find</p>

</blockquote>

<p>There are some on the big auction site; one for around $600 (with shipping), another with matching 1.4x extender for $850 (plus shipping). Used 300/4 AF-S lenses cost around $1,000-1,150.</p>

<p> </p>

[alan_bessler_sr]

<p>I just sold a Nikon 300 f4 ED IF,optically superb but it focuses oh slowly on birds you will go crazy trying to keep up unless they don't move ! Adding a TC to those lenses will really slow things up. A cheap lens is well a cheap lens don't expect too much from them. Only my opinion on this though I'm sure someone here will say otherwise!!</p>

 

[2Oceans]

I never used autofocus TC on my Nikon 300mm f4 ED IF it was always the manual TC 14B. I now have the TC14E and

purchased the Kenko 1.4 Pro. for underwater work with wide angle zooms and macro. I was never convinced that the

Nikon 300mm f4 AFS and the older 300mm f4 AF ED IF had autofocus speeds that were any different. They are both

relatively slow. The Kenko would work on either lens and it is very decent but will slow things down some. I agree with

Dieter's comment regarding wing shooting. I used the 300mm f4 AF ED IF for wing shooting and for the price it's a

bargain. The D7000 is very a very good body and will take good wing shooting images with the 300mm f4 AF ED IF so

long as you have a fast enough shutter speed and good light. I think it's a 95% solution that most of us would be satisfied with. Good

hunting.

[denny_lai1]

<p>Thanks again Dieter and Edward for sharing your experience with the 300mm F4 ED IF, that really helps me to make my decision to go with it and probably a Kenko pro 1.4x. I think I will love this combination. Being an enthusiast, I am lucky enough to have decent gears and lenses. I am not making a living out of the photos and I enjoy the whole process of Digital Photography, if I can get a decent result on most of my photos and a great shot once in a while, it's a fulfillment for me. </p>