Js426 are these images hand held with VR on? They are very good, I wish every lens performed consistently as well. Nikon seems unconcerned that other bodies are affected, they are not interested in further fixes at this time. So it seems to be a coin toss as to whether the lens will work properly or not with specific bodies. It may be the case that Nikon quickly releases a version II of the lens next year.
Great lens. Would like to get one - one that actually works...
Just received a new 300PF with #212xxx (it's October 2015, i.e., the problem is very well known for many months now. Thanks Nikon). Horrible at around 1/125 on (my) D810. Not talking about some blurriness because of exposure times that are ambitious for a 300mm lens. Talking about massive doubled edges and entirely pointless performance. There seems to be a “linear shift” in the image. This shift is in vertical direction in landscape format and in horizontal direction in portrait format (i.e., “perfectly” corresponding with the direction of the movement of the mirror/shutter). I get much better results (without shift) handheld around 1/125 when VR is switched off.
Returned it.
Very sad as the lens is stellar otherwise (at shorter exp times or on tripod), but I frequently need that very range of exp times that doesn't work here. Would love to have such a light and stellar 300mm lens.
To prevent misunderstandings: I use non-VR lenses since 30 years and until today as well as VR-lenses since they have been available. On the D800/D810, I had or have, e.g., the 24-85 VR, 105 VR, 70-200 f2.8 VRI+II, 70-200 f4 VR, 80-400G VR. None of which has any issues with VR. They all have their limits of course but, nothing comparable to that 300 PF copy. Sigh.
My copy is from one of the first batches (within the effected range). Before the firmware fix it was totally unusable, but I'm pretty happy now.
Exif info is not compleet, I think a bug in LR. It's with a D810.
Tarsier Monkey (12cm height), North Sulawesi (Indonesia)
Chris Dees wrote:
My copy is from one of the first batches (within the effected range). Before the firmware fix it was totally unusable, but I'm pretty happy now.
...
Very nice shot.
Well, Nikon's statement of an "affected range" seems to be of no relevance as the problem persists until today, with lenses that have been assembled some thousand pieces after that pretended range and that have already been equipped with the new firmware.
Moreover, some older lenses benefit from an update of the firmware while others don't according to reports on the internet.
It still(!) seems just to be a lottery thing.
Hope I draw a winner some day...
Well, Nikon's statement of an "affected range" seems to be of no relevance as the problem persists until today, with lenses that have been assembled some thousand pieces after that pretended range and that have already been equipped with the new firmware.
Moreover, some older lenses benefit from an update of the firmware while others don't according to reports on the internet.
It still(!) seems just to be a lottery thing.
Hope I draw a winner some day...
Yes, very sad and I hope Nikon will finally acknowledge what the exact problem is and terminate this lottery (really fix it, or give reliable guidance which combinations/settings will work and which ones don't).
This one lens is enough to make me buy a Nikon DSLR, but I don't want to be stuck with a 2000 euro lens that only functions when it wants to. It doesn't look like a problem that is always easy to detect. The ones that are working make extremely nice images but that's of little help if your own combo has the VR problem...
Haven't posted to the thread in some time. However, this lens hardly ever leaves my camera (D810) . The 1.4III TC states attached 95% of the time. I really do love this lens.
Well, Nikon's statement of an "affected range" seems to be of no relevance as the problem persists until today, with lenses that have been assembled some thousand pieces after that pretended range and that have already been equipped with the new firmware.
Moreover, some older lenses benefit from an update of the firmware while others don't according to reports on the internet.
It still(!) seems just to be a lottery thing.
Hope I draw a winner some day...
I'm waiting until things settle down to see if I want to have this lens replace my excellent 300/4.5 ED AI. Don't want to get a brand new expensive lens that has these problems . . . . might a well stay with the tried and true if that's the case.
jhinkey wrote:
I'm waiting until things settle down to see if I want to have this lens replace my excellent 300/4.5 ED AI. Don't want to get a brand new expensive lens that has these problems . . . . might a well stay with the tried and true if that's the case.
Yes, clearly the problem hasn't been solved, just look at the latest thread on DPR. The IS on this lens has a very basic problem, depending on the camera-lens combo. Especially with FF cameras like D600, D750 there seems to be a big risk of trouble (D810 less so, maybe due to weight?). You can probably avoid the problem by not using IS, by only using fast shutter speeds or by adding a heavy grip or something similar to the camera, but that negates most of the advantage of the 300PF. Pay almost double for just a smaller lens??
For me this lens was a major reason to go Nikon (D750), I can wait a few months to see if Nikon will solve the problem, but otherwise have to reconsider. The other lens options in this range are much less attractive to me and using another body would mean giving up some of the things that I really want (FF, relatively low weight and tilt screen).
I am sorry to hear that many of you have this problem, with no solution in sight. I have been patiently waiting my time to NOT be an early adopter of new products - as I would really like to purchase this lens. Unfortunately my money will remain with me until I see improved responses from the manufacturer to correct these issues. (I recently snagged the 200-500mm and will be sending it back shortly - Banging head to table once again.). When this lens does work - you here are showing some fantastic images!
hdavid wrote:
I am sorry to hear that many of you have this problem, with no solution in sight. I have been patiently waiting my time to NOT be an early adopter of new products - as I would really like to purchase this lens. Unfortunately my money will remain with me until I see improved responses from the manufacturer to correct these issues. (I recently snagged the 200-500mm and will be sending it back shortly - Banging head to table once again.). When this lens does work - you here are showing some fantastic images!
FWIW, I bought a 300mm f/4 PF in September from B&H. I am using it on D750 and D810. I have experienced no problems with VR or focus. Perhaps I am lucky, but my copy is incredibly sharp and produces excellent images at shutter speeds of 1/100 and up, handheld. Sorry to hear about the ongoing problems that others are seeing.
sc_john wrote:
FWIW, I bought a 300mm f/4 PF in September from B&H. I am using it on D750 and D810. I have experienced no problems with VR or focus. Perhaps I am lucky, but my copy is incredibly sharp and produces excellent images at shutter speeds of 1/100 and up, handheld. Sorry to hear about the ongoing problems that others are seeing.
John
That's interesting as you seem to be a real exception with the D750 and 4/300PF. Are you using a standard D750 or did you add a grip or something else that increases weight (converter, quick release plate etc.)? With D810 more users are reporting good results, probably because it is a heavier camera with possibly a shutter/mirror mechanism that causes a bit less vibration.
