Nikon 300mm F4E PF "Real World Review"

The Nikon 300 F4E is an extremely small, light, compact and sharp telephoto lens. Click here to access six RAW FILES to play with.
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This lens is meant for the run and gun photographer who one may not be able to afford a 300 2.8 at $6,000 or simply wants something smaller and lighter.
The older 300 F4 was much heavier and longer and more cumbersome to cary around. Nikon was able to shrink this bad boy down by using some new type of lens element called "Phase Fresnel" or PF for short. Nikon also added Vibration Reduction into this lens to allow for sharper handheld images at slower shutter speeds.
The first time I put this lens on my camera I was blown away by the fact that it really was a 300mm lens. I say that because it's so light, manageable and almost the same size as the 24-70mm 2.8.
If you are using this lens on a DX camera you will get the equivalent of a 450mm focal length at F4. That is a nice option to have if you're on a DX body and can afford the almost $2,000 price tag.
This is an expensive lens but in comparison to the 2.8 it's affordable and at times possibly a better option. One it actually fits in your bag and can be easily pulled out and ready to shoot in seconds. The 2.8 version takes time to set up and weights somewhere around six pounds.
Of course it's always a dilemma to decide what lens to take with you. I LOVE my 300 2.8 AFS VR II but if I want to move around with less gear I will toss this 300 F4E VR into my bag.
I personally bought one for my camera bag even though I own the 300 2.8 AFS VR II ($6,000). If that isn't a stamp of approval as to how good this lens is I'm not sure what is.
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[@koolkutz7]

That lens looks epic; lightweight, super sharp and great VR. I love that 2.7 crop for video.

[@MichaelFoleyPhotography]

I've been using this lens extensively for motorsports this summer (IndyCar and MotoGP), it's the best telephoto lens for the money I've used. Amazingly stable to hand hold and the bokeh is surprisingly good.

[@donofthejuan8839]

8 years later, what’d you think? Might pick one up tomorrow for $500.

[@alexabadi7458]

Well, Jared, I've never been a big fan of your videos, but I have to admit that this one is really good, great editing work (I love the music) and I like the fact that you don't focus only on the lens technical characteristics (Ken Rockwell does that very well) and show us the lens in "real life" use.By the way, I don't miss the "sniff tests"Thank you for the work you put on this review and I hope to see more Nikkor reviews soon !

[@tutvid]

Killer review, man! I'd love to see how it responds (fast focusing) for sporting events. Thanks for posting!

[@MichaelFoleyPhotography]

+tutvid I have used this lens for shooting IndyCar and MotoGP races, with my D7000 it was more than adequate, very snappy and accurate. It would be even better with a pro body. It's decent in low-light too.

[@mortenthorpe]

Among my lenses - THIS is IT! The absolutely must have lens. It hurt to sheell out the 2K when buying it, but every time I use it, it pays back. It even performs quite well for BIF shots with the Nikon TC 14 III - 420 mm on FX, 630 mm on DX!

[@Neopulse00]

To me what takes the cake is the compact and light body. It's amazing what the R&D helped produce.

[@bokeflo]

Nikon has made some really nice 300mm f4 lenses in the past and it sounds Nikon has been true to that legacy with their update of this lens. Great review Jared.

[@KimBrusevoldTV]

Nice video, but the music is awful xD

[@roodypoo548]

so would you prefer some skrillex maybe

[@-Belshazzar-]

@@roodypoo548 he is right the music is awful. I was actually gonna write it myself. Video is nice. music is just ho just no.

[@joblo0188]

Great review and I really enjoyed the music! Also the lens is incredible (and expensive)

[@albertr915]

Cool video Jared. This lens is great. Love the VR & how sharp the lens is.

[@TheLegendkiller83007]

You can see so far and clear with these lenses cant imagine what u can do with that 300 .Those bee shots were really nice:)

[@aidanpetersen9770]

haha I met you when you were filming this episode, cool review man!

[@mrfiux]

At 1:35 is that a bro bump from fans?

[@LikeWeDidOutdoors]

Thanks for actually using the lens man! Most of what I find on it is opinions from the armchair, might as well read the specs. I had hoped it was how you found it to be, and the sample images really helped me in deciding.

[@timpriestley8997]

I just bought this lens....why didn't I get this 2-3 years ago... Brilliant and brilliant review as always

[@tracymac7428]

Wow.. I did not know some of this information. Thank you for this video..

[@froknowsphoto]

First

[@ZainSyed]

+Jared Polin I guess you're bored at this time of the day :P.

[@TNMYcFan182]

+Jared Polin I love that you commented on your own video and said "First" you win all of the internets! Great video too by the way as always.

[@cactus22minus1]

+Jared Polin Really great video production on this one! Big thumbs up to you and your team. Big improvement from what I'm used to seeing in the past.

[@livefromthepsy-op1170]

+TNMYcFan182 "You win all of the internets!"... Shut your fucking gay ass mouth.

[@music_cult7165]

How can I edit Nikon video , my Sony Vegas doesn't support the Nikon file .... I have a pc laptop with 16gb of ram please help me when you get time

[@rthairlines]

Wow. Those photos look like macro shots. Amazing piece of glass. Oh and great photos btw. Nice framing. :)

[@seoulglo1999]

Really stepping up on the video production! I like it!

[@gamerN77]

This review is UNBELIEVABLE ;D

[@TheLeykis101]

very nice review, jared. Cant wait for you to review the new 24-70 2.8 II

[@Eshcole]

Awesome review Jared! Tons of great information. If I had it I would snatch this lens for when I go to anime conventions and some of the cosplay events put me further back from the stage than I would like.

[@vicibox]

A fantastic lens designed for the modern world. This lens recaptures the spirit that got us all buying Nikon in the first place during the 60s. It sits in the Nikon range like a god. Its expensive you say, no it isnt. If you want good glass you have to pay for it, try buying a Leica or Zeiss prime. I really wont take shit from Nikon any more. Look Nikon, this is what you can do if you try. They should buy one of these for each of their development team and hang it round their necks with a lead chain until they get the message that Nikon isn't part of the russian tractor industry. I think we all expect to see this approach trickling down through the range. This is what we expect of Nikon. We don't want silly cameras covered in every gadget, including the kitchen sink, if that was true we would all be shooting Sony, and lenses that look like they were designed for the gymnasium needing a truck to transport your bag. we want to be free again to take photos Just saying ;-)

[@TexMex421]

+Vici Martynov So do you like it or not?

[@vicibox]

+TexMex Of course i do its fantastic. Why cant they make more stuff like this?

[@fueledbymotion7322]

Really interested in the lens, I like the comparisson between DX/FX since I use both (dx for sports and fx for still subjects mostly). Would love to see you shooting sports with this to test the focus speed and accuracy! PS: the music is just plain bad and annoying

[@froknowsphoto]

+Mathias Decru I like the music.

[@fueledbymotion7322]

+Jared Polin That is your god given right :)

[@Neopulse00]

+Jared Polin the music goes well with the ambient. You chose well.

[@MattisProbably]

+Mathias Decru "God given"...?

[@Neopulse00]

Mathias Decru Lower volume = fixed

[@cannasgarden2481]

awesome editing this was a awesome video!!

[@MaxLamdin]

I have played with this lens at work, and it is truly amazing

[@JCCruising]

Thanks for the review. I'm trying to decide between this and the 2.8. I prefer having the best which is the 2.8, however, I do a lot of travel photography, this seems so light and convenient.

[@Sikhislove]

Got it today love it...300 f4E PF VR

[@TheMaydayFlyers]

No VR problems on lower shutter speeds?

[@neilgutteridge6405]

Another great review bud.......you have convinced me to buy one.

[@tamiboelter2833]

would you ever consider putting a TC on this lens?

[@aarong311]

That lens is crazy sharp!!

[@baker2niner]

The AF is very good on this lense, too. Fast and accurate.

[@frankyvee1]

Nice lens.. but that music is so painful.....

[@bobwoolcock]

Just received mine. Wow. Half the weight of my 70-200 VRII. Game changer. Much more comfortable to hold than the 70-200 sans tripod collar. If I were a news photographer I would have kept my 70-200 - but I'm not, so I didn't. AF is very fast in infinity to 3m mode.

[@ridealongwithrandy]

I know this vid is old, but i just won a bid on eBay for the PF and am very excited to paste it on my D500 for some bird stuff, critters too!

[@soulsnipe]

Why can't everyone review lenses like this? Loved your review video. But I agree with the opinion on the music. :P

[@Semeyaza]

I don't even have a Nikon, but I really like your Real World Reviews and I watch all of them. After all tech sheets and lab tests are one thing, but the lenses are meant to be used in the real world... ok, unless you shoot studio only. :) Cheers

[@sammyfromsydney]

What you need to do is compare this to the 70-300VR. Either the old one or the new AF-P DX VR and show the pros and cons. The AF-P loses a third of a stop of light and can only be used on a DX body but it's an amazing lens for $300. Compare the sharpness, VR etc at 5.6 between the two. (Yes I realize the AF-P would not have been out when you made this).

What a great review !!!

[@KelvinFan]

I believe that you don't get extra reach in any crop mode, but on a DX or Nikon 1 camera, you get more resolution as the pixel density increase on the smaller sensor compare to a FX camera.

[@mayhem052]

Jared putting an F/4 lens in his bag? Blasphemy!!! ;)

[@iagoguitarplayer]

i loved this review!

[@Olafleflibustier]

Excellent review, as usual ! \m/,

[@jedteng2650]

one thing ive learned so far,its unbelievable!....

[@DelbertRose]

+Jared Polin With the advent of the newer cameras shooting great clean images at high ISO, do you think that these f/4 lenses can begin replacing the Trinity in a wedding shooter's bag (at least a "beginning" shooter[ie. under 20 weddings total])? Nikon 16-35 f/4, Sigma 24-105 f4, Nikon 70-200 f4, etc... Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@PeterBarnesandjelly]

Seems like 300mm can be a really useful focal length, especially for photo journalism! Pentax has a pretty rad 300mm f4, might have to pick that up at some point :D

[@det4ever94]

Hey Jared, I already have Nikon's 70-300mm for sports photography as a hobby on my D7100. Do you think 300f4e take that much better quality images to be worth the upgrade? Or should I go with Nikon 70-200?

[@jeepjoseph9036]

70-200 is for portraits

[@lauchlanstill6677]

Jeep Joseph you don’t have to use it for portraits

[@jeepjoseph9036]

@@lauchlanstill6677 a bit small for almost anything else. Even with my full frame 70-300 on a crop body I'm wanting more at times

[@nickreid5939]

@@jeepjoseph9036 all depends on what you are shooting.....i shoot surfing with my fast sharp 70-200mm f2.8....

[@jeepjoseph9036]

@@nickreid5939 mainly small birds, today i survived with a 75mm on a gh5

[@TheChristopherRiot]

Awesome video as always Jared. Could you see yourself in the near future selling your 300mm 2.8 and keeping the f/4?

[@emma.l.o.l1396]

Since my first DSLR Fro has been bringing great advice! keep it up! love it!!

[@acousticmany]

so would this lens be better suited for travel photography vs birding for example?

[@Stausholm]

Great video!

[@lCebolitosl]

Jared, correct me if i'm wrong, please. When you put lens with cropped sensor cameras it does not transform it into another... I forgot the word, but you get what I'm saying? The diference between Full frame and cropped cameras with the 300mm is just the size of the image, but both are still 300mm

[@froknowsphoto]

It's a 450mm equivalent. Don't over think it.

[@lCebolitosl]

+Jared Polin Yeah I get it, but it is not, actually. it's just a 300mm full frame, but cropped, the image does not get closer, just smaller.

[@snilloCrevilO]

+Nice Guy but you get the whole resolution of the dx sensor in that cropped area

[@MattisProbably]

+Nice Guy It remains a 300mm lens, that is true. All other characteristics of the lens also stay the same. But the angle of view is reduced because of the smaller sensor :) That is what people mean when they talk about an "equivalent focal length". It is still a 300mm lens, but with a crop sensor the angle of view of a 300mm lens is almost the same as the angle of view of a 450mm lens on a 35mm sensor camera.

[@lCebolitosl]

+Mathias Yes that's what I meant. Just wanted to know if it is acceptable to say that a 300mm on a cropped sensor is a 450mm

[@deganni2688]

how was (is) this lens in low light? i understand the 2.8 may have an advantage, but would like to hear your opinion in low light scenes. what 300mm would you recommend for low light situations? f4 VR worth pursuing for low light? i have a d750 that i would use with the 300mm. low light situations would be taking pictures of a stage while the audience is either dimmed down or at times completely off. stage lights are on the speaker.

[@phouvannchay3753]

great review

[@tyrsog]

Jared, great review as always, much appreciated! I just came across a video showing dreadfully slow AF performance from this lens. Especially with TC's added. Has that been your experience?

[@TMM6900]

so sharp!

[@raymondcook8364]

My Nikon F4 has Autofocus. If I buy this lens, why do I have to LOCK the aperture setting to F/32 when in the P mode, the camera sets my aperture and shutter speed automatically?

[@persianprince3000]

"to bee or not to bee, that bee the question"-subscribed at that moment xD

[@riceklown]

4:39 That vignette...

[@yuranideuht1261]

Interestingly no mention of the point light source diffraction artifacts intrinsic to Fresnel lenses.

[@stefan_becker]

Still love it today 😅

[@ShaiHalevi1976]

Thank you for the reviews. I have a question: Can you please tell me how the lens behave whit aTeleconverter ,can you recommended to me Which Teleconverter use with this lens? The body I use Nikon D7100 Thank you

[@SoutrikDG]

I have the same question.

[@billybboy67]

Jared, i have an older D3000, would you recommend investing the $2K on this lens for an older camera? eventually i want to upgrade the D3000 but for now wanted to start upgrading my lenses. Thanks.

[@UnknownPerson-pt7oj]

Wouldn't a "real world" use be in sports or wildlife?

[@milyrivera1655]

Great video ! Do you recommend this lens for wedding or portrait?

[@dakoolguy111]

For someone who is using a kit lens, and a cheaper 70-300 tamron lens on a dx body, and may or may not upgrade to fx body in the future, what would be the first lens you would recommend? I shoot landscape, portraits, and sports.

[@przemekparzysz3794]

300. 2,8G Vr vs Af-s 300 2,8 D exist small difefence . Little bit better contrast of G ver. because new coating but some people can say older is better because more natural picture produce. It's depend on person. Af the same speed. Vr is very usefull things because if useing 2X tc and You need to stop down 1 ev for better performance then is f8 .

[@nicholasjeglinski5749]

2:22 standing next to the woman with the kit lens is like parking a lamborghini next to a prius

[@dave2760]

How do you think it will compare with the 300mm 2.8 at ƒ4? I have the 300mm 2.8 (old one with no VR) so I was gonna save space and get this. I would also use it on my D4s and D810. What say you?

[@talk2rony]

I'm blown out with the resolution & saturation of video. Which camera and lens you use to shoot? What software do you use for video processing.

[@JoeyStock]

Did you do any comparasion between new 300 F4 PF and the older one 300/4 AF-S?

[@sreeser3512]

Initially I balked at the price of this. I recently paid well under $600 for a copy of the old Canon 300/4 IS, with the help of some frugal shopping. After skimming through this video out of curiosity though, I think my eventual hopes to get a 300/2.8 will be derailed for a long time if Canon puts out a Fresnel version of the 300/4!

[@bandofbrothers1964]

Jared - When shooting on 300 F4 on DX, I know that I will get 450 what about my f stop. Will it be F4 or F8 due to 1.5X? This is the part I am not sure about. By the way, I will in Vegas in couple weeks. I will duplicated your NY NY picture and Las Vegas BLVD. I want to see how i will do compare with you. Off course, it will not be like your. But I least I try. Back to F4 or F8 I watched Tony & Chelsea show and he did mention on the DX with F Stop increased. I will find out which one and let you see and listen yourself. Dec 10, 2014 Should you use Full Frame lenses on Crop Bodies? Yes and No... The first 2 minutes you will hear what he said.

[@johngray7006]

great video! what camera and lens did you use to video this ...colors look great!!!

[@KeepersTubeUK]

what would this lens be like for sport?

[@mulder90]

Question! Is it really comparable to use the lens in crop-mode on a full frame camera to compare the vibration? Isn't it the same picture that you are capturing but it just hits a smaller area of the sensor? Great video by the way! =)

[@rcrowdy86]

Hey great video! Iv just bought a D500 and will get round to getting the 300mm f/4 and 200-500mm. Until then i have the 50mm 1.8g and Id like to get an all rounder. Which would you recommended from Nikon 70-300, Nikon 18-140mm or Nikon 18-200mm?

[@thinktank8389]

So, picture quality any good? Thats what id like to know Jared. Otherwise informative.

[@nancyPirrelloMusic]

Jared, what do you think of this sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM Nikon lens is it any good for distance, like panorama, castles, cathedrals and potrait waiting your reply, thanks Nance Pirrello

[@BrandonGuise]

Can this be compared to the Canon 300mm F4?

[@harrydebenham1446]

+Brandon Guise oath

[@JohnMitchellTV]

Could this lens be used for low light sports photography?

[@Crewchief227]

I was just at the Camera store picking up my Tamron 15-30 and they had one used in the case. So I asked to look at it and was shocked that it was literally smaller then my 24-70 by a hair. I actually thought it was a 24-70 at first in the case because of how they almost look the same with the hood stored. Anyways took a few test shots with my D810 and it was cool, just a little pricey imo.

[@maggyfish]

Great review … 😃

[@trinitymachan4760]

Would love to see what settings you have setup for your D5

[@SalandFindles]

Nice Oakleys!

[@arushkapoor4588]

Hi Jared , i have a Nikon 18-300 mm lens and i am looking for a full frame body for my lens for the best output and nothing quite pricy full frame body . what do you suggest .

[@leaguemoments1326]

Why is the lowest f-stop so high on narrow lenses?

[@suyashkulkarni8071]

Really enjoyed this video! Probably the best one so far! Good day! ....and I shoot RAW!

[@krishnadoshi7442]

What is this Phase Fresnel do other than make the lens small? it's so cool that there is a 300mm that size...way to go Nikon! Atleast your realeasing new and improved lenses...whereas Canon is just making high megapixeled bodies...hmmm...

[@robox2725]

Please do a review on the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED?

[@mathun791]

hi! which lens will be better separating people from they background? I'm thinking about 135mm f2 and 300 f4 for full (from feet to heads) portraits photography. Which one should be better? (FF camera)

[@paristo]

f/2 will always have shallower depth of field compared to f/4 when you have identical subject magnification. Meaning if you fill a person in vertical frame so toes and head is just on edges, then f/2 is two stops shallower. But linger focal length requires you to be further, so your perspective is from further distance and as you have a narrower field of view, you will crop the background more with longer focal length than with a shorter focal length. And that perspective change to further camera distance will make background look larger than using a shorter focal length.

[@mathun791]

I'm not stupid I know that... but I can't compare 300mm f4 to my others lenses, because I don't have it...and also is not available to rent it in my country. I already compered 3 very good lenses... and in my opinion for head shoot there is no much differents between 85mm 1.8 and 135mm f2.0, even for full portrait... but when I compered 85mm 1.8 to 120mm 1.8 different was huge. 120 1.8 is great but manual..I need something what can give me simillar results but with AF. (200mm f2 and 300 2.8 are too exepnsive) www.flickr.com/photos/mathewstreet/28074286282/in/photostream/

[@vincenterwinphotography4224]

sorry how about 300 f4 non vr non nano old version made in japan,is it still good for birding? and which one is sharpest between old version 300 f4 nin vr non nano vs 300 f4 new version? could u please to give me some info sir? thank u very much

[@barnowl01292]

I use my old version on a tripod with a 1.4tc but I will be purchasing the vr version very soon, taking advice from my peers, they say the vr version is just as sharp and so mch more user friendly if hand holding

[@vincenterwinphotography4224]

how about compare with 200-500 new model from nikon f5.6 which one is the sharpest and the best for birding? 300 f4 mix tc1.4 vr new nano or 200-500 f5.6 new model if i use dx body? thank u very much

[@StaavAutumn]

+JaredPolin which strap are you using in the video?

[@michael-4k4000]

does anyone see the treasure map on the back of the liberty bell?

[@tonycolon67]

Hey fro man , maybe this is a dumb question what do you think of the nikon 200-500 vs 300 f4pfvr?

[@leisuresteve1]

how does it compare to the 300mm f4? That is a nice lens that I have used and can be bought for about $800. Is the IQ so great in the new version to justify the price difference?

[@leisuresteve1]

+Steven August by the way, I loved the video, great sample shots.

[@brendalivelife13]

THANK YOU FRO FOR YOUR INFORMATIVE VIDEOS I started when i was 13 as well now I'm 50 but my cameras were old with films this is a digital world to me and it takes getting used to. I now have a Nikon D3300 with three different lenses,...35mm 1.8 and 18-55mm but I'm trying to set up my recent lens Nikon DX AF-S NIKKOR 55-300 mm 1:4.5-5.6 G ED PLEASE HELP!

[@stephensoraci9794]

I'm new to shooting raw.. lol can you tell me the mount kit you used to mount the your session on this cam.

[@SauceChef]

300mm f4 vs 70-200mm f2.8 + 1.7x tele (maxing out at 340mm f4.8) Which is better? Is the extra 0.8 stops worth the 40mm?

[@nickreid5939]

Brilliant....thats what i use 70-200mm with 1.4 and 1.7x.....sharp