300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

oguruma
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

I currently have the 300 2.8 VR I, however it's more or less been absconded with by my son. He loves the lens, so I'm going to give it to him as a Christmas gift.

I would like to buy a another used one for myself. I'm happy with the 300 2.8 VR I, but As I understand it, they stopped making the VR I in 2009. Used copies tend to be available on Ebay in good shape for around $1500. Used VR IIs tend to be going for closer to $2000 in the same condition.

Given that, would it be worth it to get a VR II for an extra $500?

Nov 11, 2023 at 09:04 PM

Kasper6188
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

It would be worth it to me simply because if I needed to get the lens worked on Nikon will probably be able to service the vrII longer than the vrI. From an IQ standpoint they are pretty much the same, I would say the vrI is slightly more contrasty but the vrII retains contrast better under backlit situations.

Nov 11, 2023 at 09:58 PM

Spectro
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

Kasper6188 wrote:
It would be worth it to me simply because if I needed to get the lens worked on Nikon will probably be able to service the vrII longer than the vrI. From an IQ standpoint they are pretty much the same, I would say the vrI is slightly more contrasty but the vrII retains contrast better under backlit situations.
Agree with this. I went from AFSii to VRii and can’t really say it is better optically but it is still a current version and likely to be serviced longer. I use it mainly for sports so the VR isn’t as important to me with the shutter speeds I use. The VRii is as stellar lens and one I don’t plan to replace.

Nov 12, 2023 at 10:12 AM

oguruma
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

Kasper6188 wrote:
It would be worth it to me simply because if I needed to get the lens worked on Nikon will probably be able to service the vrII longer than the vrI. From an IQ standpoint they are pretty much the same, I would say the vrI is slightly more contrasty but the vrII retains contrast better under backlit situations.

Thanks for the input.

One thing I'm asking myself as far as servicing goes is: if I need the lens serviced in, say 5 years from now, will it even be worth it to have it serviced?

Let's say I buy the VR II for $2000 now. 5 years down the road I need to send it in to have it serviced. At that time, the lens will probably be worth closer to $1500, especially if Nikon releases a Z-Mount 300 2.8. What's a reasonable cost I would expect to have to pay to have the lens serviced?

Nov 12, 2023 at 06:30 PM

6cuda6
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

yup absolutely go VR2 as Nikon does not service the VR1 at all nor does most of the authorized repair facilities.

Nov 12, 2023 at 07:55 PM

Don Ferrario
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · 300 2.8 VR I vs VR II?

The service issue is real but I would not let it stop me. I have been using Nikon lenses for 50 years. Service needs are rare. The old manual focus lenses needed a clean and lube a lot more often than the newer ones need any kind of repair. The worst they will happen is it will develop the squeak.

I have the old screwdriver AF and the latest G version. Both are outstanding glass. A lens test machine could tell the difference but my images cannot. Of course AF tracking of a moving target is harder with the mechanical AF is slower. Is that’s not a problem and you are using a body with AF motor the early lens does not have a focus motor to fail.

EDIT I apologize did not understand your original message. Obviously you already know the early AFS version is reliable because you already have one. Don’t fret what isn’t broken!

Nov 12, 2023 at 08:05 PM


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