Nikon Unleashes 300 mm of Awesome

Nikon has gone to their line-up a lenses and found another great lens to refresh with some of the latest advances the company has to offer. This time they took the Go-To lens that sports and wildlife photographers have used for decades, the 300 mm f/2.8.

The revamped Nikon 300mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II Nikkor Super Telephoto Prime Lens is packed with all the modernizations to compliment their latest DSLRs.  The features this lens brings to the game when paired with the Nikon D3S can make taking impossible images possible. Expect to this combination at the Winter Olympics early next year.

The featured highlights of the Nikon 300mm f/2.8G AF-S ED VR II are:

Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization

Vibration Reduction is engineered specifically for each VR Nikkor lens. VR II enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper images.

Exclusive Nano Crystal Coat

Further reduces ghosting and internal flare for even greater image clarity.

Three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements

Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at wide apertures.

Aspherical Lens Element

Virtually eliminates coma and other aberrations, promoting image integrity.

Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM)

Delivers fast, accurate and quiet autofocusing.

Three Focus Modes

A/M mode joins the familiar M/A and M modes, enhancing AF control versatility with fast, secure switching between auto and manual focus to accommodate personal shooting techniques.

Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC)

Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.

AF Memory Recall

Allows instant return to a predetermined point of focus.

Rugged Construction

Featuring enhanced dust and moisture resistance, magnesium die-cast barrel construction and a protective meniscus front lens.

Tripod Detection Mode

Detects and compensates for the specific vibrations encountered when shooting on a tripod with VR on.

Close Focusing to 7.2 feet

Focus to 7.2 feet in manual focus or 7.5 feet in autofocus, enabling striking image perspectives.

Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm

Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.

I have have manual focus 300 mm f/2.8 lens since the mid 1980s and it is a great lens.  Since moving into autofocus and digital SLRs there have been times I have wanted to upgrade but I have waited until Nikon added a couple features to the lens, Vibration Reduction and the 9-blade diaphragm was what I have been holding out for.  So today my advice to myself and other photographers is buy.

“The latest edition of the NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8 lens advances one of the most popular fast-aperture focal lengths for sports, nature and wildlife photography, demonstrating Nikon’s commitment to professional photographers through the continued development of the optical fidelity and sharpness for which NIKKOR lenses are famous,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “Offering compatibility with a wide range of NIKKOR optics, including the new 300mm f/2.8, the TC-20E III teleconverter enables photographers to greatly extend the versatility of a variety of zoom and telephoto lenses they carry.”