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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Nikon 300mm AF-s - Original (1996) vs. Version II (2001)
Chris Morrison, Photographer, Assistant
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Tucson | AZ | USA | Posted: 7:21 PM on 01.12.10 |
->> Can anyone tell me from experience what the "real" (not nikon marketing) differences are between the original AF-S version of the 300 f/2.8 and the version II of the same lens? I know that version II is lighter but I'm primarily concerned with sharpness and auto-focus speed and accuracy differences. Is the version II improved in any of those (IMO) key factors or is it the same lens with a lighter Mg-Alloy body? I believe the original one came out in 1996 and the VII came out in 2001.
I'm asking because I'm looking to pick one up used and I currently have the opportunity to pick up either one (with the Version II being more expensive).
Thanks for your help.
- Chris |
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Eric Canha, Photographer
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Brockton | MA | United States | Posted: 7:38 PM on 01.12.10 |
->> Version II is just a hair faster in the AF department, and a touch contrast-ier. A bigger concern should be that given the age of the AF-s I how much time is left in the service life of the lens. The AF-I is no longer being serviced by Nikon, given the release of yet another version of the AF-s I'd be more worried that parts for the AF-s v1 will be phased out sooner rather than later.
How much of a price difference are you looking at? |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 7:48 PM on 01.12.10 |
| ->> be cautious buying an old nikon lens. I thought I had a real deal several years ago when I bought a mint condition 400 2.8 for $3000. It WAS a great deal until it was damaged a year later and nikon said they had no replacement parts for that model, which was less than four years old. so I now have a 19 pound $3000 paperweight. I wouldn't even consider buying long glass that old again unless it was being sold at an unbelievably low price. |
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Yamil Sued, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Peoria | AZ | USA | Posted: 8:54 PM on 01.12.10 |
->> What Chuck said!!
But it applies to both Canon and Nikon!!
Canon will no longer repair most of their NON "IS" Lenses.
I would avoid an older lens and like Chuck said, it better be DIRT CHEAP!!
Y |
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Patrick Meredith, Photographer, Assistant
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Austin | TX | USA | Posted: 11:09 PM on 01.12.10 |
->> Having owned both, the VII is a much better lens. I found it sharper, AF was faster and it is a touch lighter. With that said, I found my AF-I sharper than the original AFS and returned it after testing it out...The original AFS lens I had was also a beater though.
Chuck,
Can you use MF with that 400? |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 11:20 PM on 01.12.10 |
| ->> patrick, no. the damage was to the assembly at the rear of the lens...which I figured was a pretty standard part since all the lenses are built with the same fitting to attach to the camera. I got the estimate back from NPS which quoted $450 to repair, which I was very happy about.....the next day the lens came back fedex with a note saying "parts unavailable-lens unrepairable" needless to say that pissed me off. Imean, honestly...you can buy parts for cars that haven't been made in 70 years but a lens only five years old that costs in excess of $7500 new has no spare parts.....so yes, I would be very careful when buying a lens that is over ten years old.... |
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Will Schneekloth, Student/Intern, Photographer
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New Brunswick | NJ | USA | Posted: 11:37 PM on 01.12.10 |
->> Chuck, out of curiosity was it a Version I AF-S 400mm? Or the non AF-S (AF-I) that preceded it? I was watching one of the VI AF-S 400mm copies on eBay today that closed at $5300, and I almost pulled the trigger on it.
Wondering if I should be disappointed or pleased that I didn't pick it up, considering its closing was almost half of a new VR copy... |
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Ed Wolfstein, Photographer, Assistant
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Burlington | VT | USA | Posted: 9:11 AM on 01.13.10 |
->> Chuck:
Have you considered going to an independent repair shop? If Nikon doesn't have the parts - then you're cooked using their services, but an independent shop just MIGHT have some older parts still available... just a thought.
Cheers.
- Ed. |
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Les Stukenberg, Photographer, Photo Editor
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Prescott Valley | AZ | USA | Posted: 1:43 PM on 01.13.10 |
->> Chuck,
Call Midstate Camera Repair in Warwick RI... You just might not have a paper weight anymore.. |
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