In recent months, I've gotten to rent 200 2, 300 2.8, and 400 2.8 (the latest versions of each).
The 300 2.8 was very clearly superior in contrast and sharpness to my 70-200 (version 1), but lagged noticeably the sharpness of the 200 2 and 400 2.8. The 300 also degraded much more with a 1.7x TC than the 400.
Is that a fair assessment or did I just happen to get a mediocre sample of the 300?
I have a 200/2 VR-I and the 400 VR, and I love them both very much. However, I do not own a 300/2.8 VR.
I did a quick test with my friend's 300/2.8 (don't remember, but I think it had/was VR), comparing it to my 200/2 VR with TC-14E-II, and the results were so similar that I could not justify getting a 300/2.8 over just a tele converter, so I decided to save up for a 400VR instead.
But the 300/2.8 is no slouch at all. It's one of the most demanded workhorses in the Nikon line up for a reason.
I don't know if you had a mediocre sample... the 400 does seem sharper to me, and so does the 200, but not by much. We're splitting hair. And yes, the 200 and 400 do take TC's very well.... I think they are the two lenses that take TC's best (I have a 1.4x and a 2.0x).
But if 300mm is the FL you want/like, there's no reason to not get the 300.
Lee Saxon wrote:
Is that a fair assessment or did I just happen to get a mediocre sample of the 300?
I have all 3 lenses. The 300mm is on the D800/E one of the best performing lenses.
Chestnut wrote:
I don't know if you had a mediocre sample... the 400 does seem sharper to me, and so does the 200, but not by much. We're splitting hair.
It was a very noticeable difference in my case. I didn't even have to go to 50% to see it.
That plus Andy's gorgeous shots convinced me I just happened to get one that wasn't quite right.
Lance B wrote:
You must have got a dud, or needs AF fine tune. I put any of the TC's on the 300 f2.8 VRII and it'll give the 500 f4 a run for it's money.
I have both the 300/2.8 vrII and the 500/4 vr. My 300/2.8 is very very sharp but with a 1.7TC it is no match for the 500/4. The best lens at 200mm is the 200/2, the best at 300mm is the 300/2.8 and we have the same at 500mm and 600mm the native lens is better than any shorter lens TC combo.
. You guys are great. I said " I put any of the TC's on the 300 f2.8 VRII and it'll give the 500 f4 a run for it's money." Which means that it keeps the 500 honest, not that it is as good. Nice try, though.
. You guys are great. I said " I put any of the TC's on the 300 f2.8 VRII and it'll give the 500 f4 a run for it's money." Which means that it keeps the 500 honest, not that it is as good. Nice try, though.