Frogfish wrote:
It seems most (if not all ?) of the affected lenses are from Germany & the NL, in which case, yes, it does look like one particular batch.
scst48 wrote:
You can add Switzerland to the list as well
Obviously I don't know how Nikon distribute their lenses but considering transportation costs, import restrictions and cross border distribution I'd think NL, Germany & CH are all from the same importer, of course I could be wrong. As distinct though from say USA/Canada/Australia/China and maybe even the UK.
You come in here, polluting the image thread with awesome images? We're clearly discussing the lens' problems here. Get these pictures out of the image thread.
Seriously, though, thanks for reminding me why I am looking forward to getting this lens, not dreading that it might have a problem.
Chris Dees wrote:
Did some quick indoor tests tonight but had no problems getting sharp pictures at 1/125 or 1/160
I will do some more testing this weekend.
A little bit of a scare yesterday as my indoor, short distance (7 to 14 feet) comparison between the AF-S and AF-S VR lenses on a D810 constantly produced sharper shots from the older version with or without teleconverter. The target was a pile of books in a bookshelf, so absolutely flat.
After AF fine-tuning the new version (+2 for lens alone, +4 with TC-14e and TC-17eii, +2 for TC-20eiii) the new version is now equal to the older one alone and with the TC-14e. It is also slightly better with the other two converters but this could be user errors.
My new lens doesn't seem to have any VR issue at speeds in the 1/100 to 1/250s.
What I discovered though is that the new version is about 10% shorter in focal length making it more a 270mm lens assuming than the older one was exactly 300mm in focal.
Time for actual tests outside.
gpelpel wrote:
A little bit of a scare yesterday as my indoor, short distance (7 to 14 feet) comparison between the AF-S and AF-S VR lenses on a D810 constantly produced sharper shots from the older version with or without teleconverter. The target was a pile of books in a bookshelf, so absolutely flat.
After AF fine-tuning the new version (+2 for lens alone, +4 with TC-14e and TC-17eii, +2 for TC-20eiii) the new version is now equal to the older one alone and with the TC-14e. It is also slightly better with the other two converters but this could be user errors.
My new lens doesn't seem to have any VR issue at speeds in the 1/100 to 1/250s.
What I discovered though is that the new version is about 10% shorter in focal length making it more a 270mm lens assuming than the older one was exactly 300mm in focal.
Time for actual tests outside....Show more →
Make sure those AF fine tune settings show the expected improvement at *all* subject distances, not just what you tested it at with the books. If it doesn't, I would exchange the lens. When you enter an AF fine tune value, it is only for that specific focal length (not really an issue with primes) and also subject distance. Just ensure you haven't made it worse at some other distance, and that a global AF fine tune value does indeed work for you (it very well might).
The focal reduction seems to be from focus breathing as the difference of subject size between the two lenses gets smaller and smaller as the camera/subject distance increases. The difference is gone by 15 feet or so.
VinnieJ wrote: Chris Dees wrote:
Did some quick indoor tests tonight but had no problems getting sharp pictures at 1/125 or 1/160
I will do some more testing this weekend.
From last weekend.
Very nice
Just did some more thorough tests this morning and I experience the VR problems too.
D810, Manual, Auto Iso, F4, and 1/3rd shutter steps
1/60 is sharper than 1/160
I tried it several times and it I can easily reproduce it.
Did not had time to try it on my V1/V2 (like ArendV) , but I will do that tomorrow
Contacted NPS (as I'm a member) and they are investigating it.
First time in years a bought a recently announced lens and now this.
Does anyone know that is there already any third party collar rings available to this lens? Nikon`s ring is quite expensive :/ In Ebay is many different collar rings to Nikon 70-200 f4 VR. I hope that some company will release cheaper option
gobba wrote:
Does anyone know that is there already any third party collar rings available to this lens? Nikon`s ring is quite expensive :/ In Ebay is many different collar rings to Nikon 70-200 f4 VR. I hope that some company will release cheaper option
Yes, any ring that fits the 70-200/4G-VR will fit the 300PF. I am using the Vello foot, but it's not ARCA type.
gobba wrote:
Does anyone know that is there already any third party collar rings available to this lens? Nikon`s ring is quite expensive :/ In Ebay is many different collar rings to Nikon 70-200 f4 VR. I hope that some company will release cheaper option
It's only $148 here in Canada - I am assuming you're in the USA, which makes it about $105 USD if you can order from up North
Danner wrote:
Yes, any ring that fits the 70-200/4G-VR will fit the 300PF. I am using the Vello foot, but it's not ARCA type.
Not all of them - the 70-200/4 Kirk Collar, for example, will not fit the 300/4 PF.
