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AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR IS IMPRESSIVE IN MANY WAYS (01.07.2015)
Nikkor's new 300mm f/4 lens is 30% shorter and 46% lighter than its predecessor! At first, Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR reminds Nikkor's 24-70mm f/2.8 lens by its size and shape. How can this lens with durable light power and long focal lenght be built so compact and light weight?
These results are the result of the new construction. In addition, the letters PF in the name of the lens also refer to that. The new 300mm f/4 lens has Phase Fresnel element in it which name is derived from French physic Augustin-Jean Fresnel. This optical element enables to build light powered optics in a way that the mass and quantity of optical elements are much smaller than of those built differently. Fresnel lens can be made a lot thinner and lighter, in some cases, with a significantly smaller curvature. This lens also has an optical element that significantly reduces the creation of chromatic aberration. Chromatic aberration is phenomenon in the optics world that means that the different wavelengths of light beams have different refractive indexes when going through the lens. The blue spectrum area with a smaller wave length breaks into the lens more than the red spectrum area with a bigger wave length. Chromatic aberration decreases the sharpness of the subject and a blue-violet halo forms around the subject that is extra clearly seen on a light background. Achromatic element is formed out of many elements. This lens only uses one improved optical element.
Thanks to new technology, it is possible to build a lighter, more compact and light powered lens while subject quality is also improved compared to the previous generation of lenses. This lens is suitable for nature photographers, sports photographers; and why not, for taking portraits. This lens makes travel photographers especially happy. The modest size and weight of the lens enables to save money from the extra luggage tax. And the sharpness and colour transfer of the lens are impressively good. But everyone should be convinced on their own.
Nature photographer Sven Zacek uses this lens and he says: ”Small, sharp and fast optics. I mostly use it on longer trips where I cannot carry the big one. For me, it is a so called ”looking for places” lens.” Of course, Nikkor AF-S 300mm F/2.8 G ED VR II lens has its own important advantages and the features of top quality but the measures and weight make this lens uncomfortable while moving around in the nature. While looking around, it is more comfortable to use the lighter and smaller lens.
The prices of the lenses are also important. The price of the Nikkor AF-S 300mm F/2.8 G ED VR II is around 5496 euros. The price of Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR is 1999 euros at the I AM Photographer ProShop.
It is possible to examine the lenses more closely at I AM Photographer Pro Shop in Tallinn from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
