This is the third version of this lens that I have owned. The two previous were the older and the newer f/2.8 vesions. To own one of these long lenses will be a compromise on your part. While they reach out to capture distant images, they are not without their limitations.

I've had this lens for less than a month so it's hard to identify the pros and cons especially since it's winter here and we haven't had very good light. However, I've used it a few times and am happy with the results.

I've taken some stunning photos of birds with this lens. It would be great if the lens had a larger aperture, but then the price would shoot up. Make sure you have a good, solid tripod.

Easily Interchangeable; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

The Nikon 300mm f4 is a fantastic lens, very sharp wide open, even with the 1.4x converter, for wildlife mostly useful with the converter. It has a solid build quality, fast autofocus which is not as fast as the best Canons, but still fast enough to track flying birds for example.

Excellent colors; sharpness and contrast; fast autofocus; solid build; built-in-hood; tripod collar

high price; no back lens element; dust can enter

Previously I was using the capable consumer 55-300mm for telephoto. The 55-300mm gets soft at full tele, yet that's where I often found myself using the lens. After hitting the limits of what that lens can do, it made sense to get something better. I chose this 300mm f4 prime.

I am currently using this lens with a Nikon D800. I read a lot of online reviews before making the purchase. And I'm glad I didn't wait any longer to purchase this lens. I have captured some incredible wildlife shots of deer with this lens!

I bought this lens because of its reputation for incredible sharpness and close-focusing ability. My primary use since purchasing this lens in April of 2008 has been close-up photography of dragonflies. I use it in combination with the Nikon 1.4x TC on a D200.

Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

No VR; Suspect tripod collar

Primarily purchased as a ‘with minimum compromise' telephoto lens for wildlife photography, after years of being ultimately disappointed by the performance of 70-300 f.4-5.6-type lenses when compared to my prime wide-angle and medium-range telephoto lenses.

Pretty much everything; see above

Pretty much nothing; see above

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Durable; Quick Focus; Rugged; Sharp Focus; Strong Construction

Heavy

The Nikon 300 mm f4 AF-S ED-IF lens is a professional quality lens that I considered buying after se

Exceptionally fast and silent focusing professional quality lens

Needs a better & stronger tripod mount