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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Personal experience Nikon 300mm F2.8 AF-I and AF-S versions
Ken Blaze, Photographer
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Cleveland | OH | USA | Posted: 11:46 AM on 09.24.10 |
| ->> Members out there that have used both lenses, what are the main differences and how much better is the AF-S over the AF-I models? I realizes there are multiple versions of each, I'm looking at the difference in the AFI to the AFS. I tried searching for this and didn't find anything. Thanks. |
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Nic Coury, Photographer
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Monterey | CA | | Posted: 12:07 PM on 09.24.10 |
->> The AF-s, version II especially, are lighter, allowing them much easier to hand-hold.
I think the AF-I is a bit bulkier too. |
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Jonathan Roberts, Photographer
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Louisville | KY | USA | Posted: 12:15 PM on 09.24.10 |
->> Ken,
I've had both lenses and they both work well. The AF-I was the first 300, 2.8 lens I owned and it was heavenly all those years ago. The AF-S may have had a bit faster autofocus as well as been a bit lighter. Both differences were negligible for me.
As of a few years ago, Nikon would not repair the AF-I version because of scarcity of parts and I would guess the first AF-S versions are well on their way to the repair graveyard as well.
Jonathan |
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Ken Blaze, Photographer
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Cleveland | OH | USA | Posted: 12:21 PM on 09.24.10 |
| ->> Not being able to repair would certainly be a downer. How about focusing in low light? |
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Karsten Moran, Photographer, Photo Editor
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New York | NY | United States of America | Posted: 12:56 PM on 09.24.10 |
->> I have the af-i and have only used the af-s II once, but i think the difference is small enough that it's much more important to worry about...
1. the aforementioned repair/parts issue with the earlier model. even midstate had a hard time finding replacement parts for my af-i when it went in to service (they did --thank you midstate, you're awesome--but know that parts are scarce and will only get more so)
2. the condition of the lens you buy is more important than the difference between the two models. (imho, a mint af-i for the same price, might be a better decision than a beater af-s) |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 5:33 PM on 09.24.10 |
->> One advantage the later models, like the AF-S, has over the AF-I is the ability to manually focus the lens without first having to depress the shutter release.
On the AF-I, you have to slightly depress the shutter release when you want use the manual focus on the lens. On the AF-S, the lens will respond to the manual focus ring without depressing the shutter release. A feature that is very nice to have.
I still shoot with Smiley Pool's old 300 AF-I. It's a fine lens. I only wish his mojo had come with it. |
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Keith Tharp, Photographer
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Londonderry | NH | usa | Posted: 7:48 PM on 09.24.10 |
->> I just got a 300 AF-I off ebay about a month ago(it came bundled with a 2xTC which I orriginally intended on flipping but they aren't fetching much to make it worth while) and I'm pretty happy with it. The lens overall is in pristine shape and was $1000 cheaper than the rough AF-S's.
It did not come with a hood though, without researching I figured no big deal I'll just get one aftermarket. Not so, I did some searching and talked to B&H and the aftermarkets for the AF-S wont work and used HK-29's (not sure on part# I have it marked down at home) are rare. I ended up making 2 DIY hoods, one plastic and one metal.
The low light focussing speed seems to lack just slightly compared to my 70-200 AF-S VR.
The image quality is fantastic though.
Oh and it is very beefy, I've tried hand holding for some panning shots last week and it wasn't fun. |
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Ken Blaze, Photographer
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Cleveland | OH | USA | Posted: 10:36 PM on 09.24.10 |
| ->> thanks for the input everyone. |
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Ronnie Montgomery, Photographer
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Houston | TX | USA | Posted: 10:46 PM on 09.24.10 |
| ->> One other thing. The hood on the AF-I is built like a tank. The hoods on the AF-S long glass are carbon fiber crap. |
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