Overall: 4 out of 5
Optics: 4.5
Price on Used Market: ~$300–400 USD
Value at $300 USD: 4
Accessories: Great with PN-11 Extension Tube, usable with TC-200/201, TC-300/301 Teleconverter

Nikon users are blessed with a history of good 300mm lenses, perhaps none so physically attractive as the solid metal construction and silky smooth focusing of Nikon’s smallest, the 300mm f/4.5 AIS ED-IF .

Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF AIS

Taken with Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/4 AIS

Assorted Information

Max Aperture	f/4.5
Min Aperture	f/32
Aperture Blades	9
Close Focus	2.45m/8ft
Filter Thread	72mm
Hard Infinity Stop?	No
Built in Hood?	Yes

Image Quality
My sample is sharp from f/4.5, probably best at f/8, and contrasty. Despite the ED glass, there is still some amount of chromatic aberration especially in the area directly behind focus, though it’s generally not a big problem. The fringing in this photo of a turtle a particularly bad example of this.

Turtle @f/4.5 1/250sec. ISO100 handheld


Operation
Nikon’s smallest and lightest 300mm lens, it’s good to handhold. The focusing ring responds perfectly to the touch, travelling a bit over 3/4 of the way around the barrel from a close focus of 8 feet to infinity (and beyond, as it has no hard infinity stop).

The tripod collar is sturdy, rotating and being removed by loosening a screw. It gets a bit in the way when I handhold it, though, so I like to keep it off when I know I won’t be using it on a monopod or tripod. Attaching and removing the collar as much as I do is a bit annoying, but it’s still much better than the one you see on the modern 300mm f/4 AF-S

Zebra @f/4.5 1/250sec. ISO100 handheld


With PN-11 Extension Tube
This is a great combination for getting close-ups of animals that are easily scared. Focus is from approximately 1.2–2.4m/4–8ft



With Teleconverter
I use this sometimes with a TC-200 2X teleconverter resulting in 600mm f/9. This lens is compatible with both the TC-200/201 and the TC-300/301 which I don’t own. I get acceptable, not spectacular, results with this combination. Next to buying a reflex (mirror/catadioptric) lens, this is one of the cheapest ways of getting out to that focal length. Here’s a recent example, I’ll have to look to find a better one.

w/TC-200 @f/8 1/100sec. ISO140 on Monopod


Final Word
Focusing can be difficult for many at this focal length, and if you’re photographing subject matter such as birds which can demand fast and accurate focus, AF is basically a must.

If you can deal without AF, this is an excellent choice. The size and weight are a real plus, and the IQ is certainly there. My only real complaint is the chromatic aberration which prevented a 5 on the Image Quality rating.

More Photos with This Lens

Hillary Clinton @f/4.5 1/80sec. ISO800 handheld








Crane @f/4.5 1/90sec. ISO100 handheld


Nancy Pelosi @f/4.5 1/100sec. ISO800 handheld


w/PN-11 1/750sec. ISO200 on monopod


w/PN-11 1/320sec. ISO140 handheld


w/PN-11 1/500sec. ISO140 on Monopod






Nikon FE & Velvia 50, scanned on Plustek 7500i




More Photos of This Lens

Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF AIS



Tiny link: http://taii.cc/26

Great review..This presentation pushed me to purchase this outstanding lens
Tiny link: http://taii.cc/4d

It’s light (for a 300mm) and sharp. As long as you’re okay with using a manual focus lens with no chip, it’s a great option.
Tiny link: http://taii.cc/4e

Thanks for the review. It helped me decide to take the plunge and buy mine, instead of spending four times as much on the F4 AFS.

I’m really impressed with it so far. The build quality is outstanding and it’s as sharp as can be all the way from 4.5 to f32.

A real bargain.
Tiny link: http://taii.cc/5o

Well, they are like 12 times different in price.

I like the 300mm for shots requiring a hard focus stop at infinity.

the 70-200 is much sharper.

For image samples see: http://glamourphotography.co/?p=5061

PS, current pricing for the 300mm AIs is often in the lower $200’s.
Tiny link: http://taii.cc/5B

I don’t doubt the current 70–200 is sharper, though I will note the lens you’re testing with isn’t the one I reviewed here. Mine is the ED version, which costs more and should have better optics.
Tiny link: http://taii.cc/5C