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Archive 2014 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well

  
 
tmpollard
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


A few weeks ago I rented a Nikon 300 f4 from lens Rentals and had a wonderful time with it. I got plenty of great shots. So I got on eBay and purchased one, used the same settings that I had used on the rented one but sorry to say this lens is just not working out. Everything seems to be out of focus. Have you guys experienced anything like this?

By the way the one I got off eBay was used and Nikon had reconditioned with it along with a new motor. Next time I think i'll buy new.



Mar 29, 2014 at 02:20 PM
ckcarr
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


I'm on my third... They have all been stellar.

One of Nikon's most reliable hunks of metal...



I would be sure of your settings on your camera (what body?) and lens...



Mar 29, 2014 at 02:25 PM
tmpollard
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


I am shooting on a D7000 body. Was shooting birds out of bedroom window with camera resting on window sill. Tree is about 20 feed away. Basically all shots came out fuzzy. Took my other lens which is a Nikon AF-S 70-300 4.5-5.6 and got better photos with it.


Mar 29, 2014 at 02:35 PM
MikeW
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


try using the micro adjust & tune the lens in.


Mar 29, 2014 at 02:55 PM
azbill
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


FWIW, my 300mm f/4 was bought as " demo or reconditioned" from Cameta. It's tack sharp, and with the exception of non Nikon the lens cap, appeared new.
What was your aperture and shutter speed?



Mar 29, 2014 at 04:08 PM
ahamp
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


My D7000 is in the shop right now due to extreme focus adjust. When used with the 500mm f/4, I needed a -20 to even get in the ballpark of sharp. Without the adjustment it looked like I was shooting through vaseline.


Mar 29, 2014 at 05:06 PM
tmpollard
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


This is a sample photo taken at f5.6, 1/400 sec, ISO-250.
I took many at a range of f-stops, seconds and iso's but they just were not coming out like the other lens.







Mar 29, 2014 at 07:34 PM
MikeW
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


yes, but there is something in focus. Apart from the fact that is a poor example to show your problem as the af has most likely grabbed the branch but it is back focused so try a flat wall with a chart & fine tune as required


Mar 29, 2014 at 07:48 PM
tmpollard
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


Even though having it set on single point focus and focusing on the eye I didn't think it would still focus on the branches.


Mar 29, 2014 at 07:56 PM
Jason_Brook
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


No worries, you just have to fine tune the AF for the lens. It's clearly capable of taking sharp photos, you just have to fine tune to bring the focus front.


Mar 29, 2014 at 08:30 PM
ckcarr
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


The exif for the robin shot says it is a Nikon 70-300mm vr at 300mm, 1/400th f/5.6 ISO 250. It's not the 300mm AF-S f/4.0

Also says you are using 21 point af. As MikeW says, it's grabbed something and locked focus, but not the eye.

If you pretty much have stationary subjects like that and can rest the lens barrel on a window sill or pillow while shooting, use AF-S and single point... aim for the eye... And I suggest doubling the old school recommended 1/300 sec to at least 1/600, if not just shooting between 1/1000 and 1/2500... In bursts of three.

You will get sharp images...




Mar 29, 2014 at 08:40 PM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


Yeah, once properly adjusted...monster crops are capable using the AF-S 300 f4
(even handheld AND straight out of camera) I'm at -3 when naked, and get your
SS up...even "static" birds will twitch & move a bit.



© riversbendphotography




Mar 30, 2014 at 05:40 AM
davidnholtjr
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


tmpollard wrote:
A few weeks ago I rented a Nikon 300 f4 from lens Rentals and had a wonderful time with it. I got plenty of great shots. So I got on eBay and purchased one, used the same settings that I had used on the rented one but sorry to say this lens is just not working out. Everything seems to be out of focus. Have you guys experienced anything like this?

By the way the one I got off eBay was used and Nikon had reconditioned with it along with a new motor. Next time I think i'll buy new.



Every lens can vary in focus. If your camera has fine tune feature then use it to tune the focus.



Mar 30, 2014 at 01:01 PM
JRT64
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · 300 f4 Lens doesn't seem to work well


Check out this thread and use the described method to tune the focus on the lens and then see what you get.


Mar 30, 2014 at 01:21 PM





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