Reading mode: Light Dark

What is your favorite F mount telephoto on your Z camera?

Go to last post
third son

third son

Senior Member
Messages
3,489
Solutions
1
Reaction score
5,267
All:

What would you consider your favorite F mount telephoto prime lens adapted to to Z camera via adapter? I am looking to add to my Nikon gear and would like something around 300mm or so. Is the AF-S 300mm f/4 worth a look? I am trying to stay under $1K.

Thanks!
 
third son said:
All:

What would you consider your favorite F mount telephoto prime lens adapted to to Z camera via adapter? I am looking to add to my Nikon gear and would like something around 300mm or so. Is the AF-S 300mm f/4 worth a look? I am trying to stay under $1K.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I've made a lot of good images with the older Nikon 300 f/4 AFS. The optics on the lens are remarkably good for the price point, and it pairs very well with the TC14E II teleconverter but not the newer TC14E III. I use this lens on the Z6 as a birding lens when mobility is needed. Focus is very sharp. It's not very long for birding, but with the TC is usable. I also program the FN1 button to zoom, so I can use this kit instead of binoculars when leading walks.

I also use a number of other F-mount lenses. Macro lenses like the 60 and 105, long telephoto lenses like the 600 f/4, 200-500, and 200-400, or the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII, and specialty lenses with good optics like the 19mm PC.

My favorite and most used lens by far is the 70-200 f/2.8 VRII, but I have the Z version on order and have already sold one copy of the F-mount version.
 
You asked for a prime, I know, but I have the 200-500 and really, really like it. Tack sharp and very versatile. On sale right now for about $1,200 or so.
 
The current 300mm f/4, better known as the PF is superb on the Z camera's. I'm sure the previous 300m f/4 which I owned for many years would be really good too. They can get a little noisy when autofocusing if they haven't been used for a while. This does not seem to bother the focussing itself I found. You should be able to pick one up well within your budget. I'm not sure of the Sigma or Tamron lenses. As for the Nikon 200-500 I couldn't get one anywhere near as sharp as I like.
 
The Tamron 35-150 lives on my Z6 from the day I got it when it first had come out. The best all-around lens I have ever used much better then the Nikon 24-120.
 
I've always liked the 300mm f/4 AF-S. Although it is a bit bulky and heavy, especially compared to the PF version. Fortunately, the IBIS of my Z7 has breathed new life into this lens. I can now handhold it successfully as the attached image confirms. Check out the detail on the rose itself, shot wide open at f/4.

--



08525c0129f348118f29ae1e2a960246.jpg




Steve
 
third son said:
All:

What would you consider your favorite F mount telephoto prime lens adapted to to Z camera via adapter? I am looking to add to my Nikon gear and would like something around 300mm or so. Is the AF-S 300mm f/4 worth a look? I am trying to stay under $1K.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
My personal favorite is the 500 mm PF. I use it on my Z7, with and without a 1.4x TCIII. Of course, it is both longer and more expensive than what you are looking for. I photograph a lot of birds, so I usually want more focal length, not less.

I have also used the 300 mm PF on my Z bodies (I have a Z7 and a Z6), with and without the 1.4x TCIII. It is also an excellent lens. More expensive that what you are looking for, at least new. Not sure what it goes for used. (I have not used the 300 mm AF-S f4 lens.)

Both the PF lenses balance nicely on Z bodies with the FTZ. And you can get spoiled by their light weight.

The 70-300 mm F-P FX lens also works nicely on my Z bodies. I find the quality to be good, although not at the level of the PF primes. I use it when I want something light with the flexibility of a zoom. It is also priced well under your limit and has a very good performance to price ratio. I have also used the 200-500 mm on my Z7. It is a good lens, but I find it a bit heavy on the Z bodies and prefer to use it, when I need a zoom in that range, on a DSLR.
 
Rolleiguy54 said:
I doubt you could find a 300 pf for a grand. New they are 2k.

good luck.
Click to expand...
Who said 300PF? I was referring to the older 300mm AF-S f/4 lens. I have a full Fuji kit that satisfies all of my really long focal lengths. I was looking for something that would work well on my Z6 for now.
 
Very nice,

I hadn't thought of the IBIS aspect of the addition of the old 300mm. Good point.
 
third son said:
I am looking to add to my Nikon gear and would like something around 300mm or so. Is the AF-S 300mm f/4 worth a look? I am trying to stay under $1K.
Click to expand...
I'm partial to the Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-I but it sure weighs a ton! On the Z6, I get AF-C, IBIS, freedom from the AF Fine Tune nonsense. My copy was $1.2K and it's worth every cent for the image quality.

wilmette205.jpg


--
Canon, Nikon, Contax RTS, Leica M, Sony, Profoto
 
My most used F-Mount lens is the 300mm PF, it‘s a great lens, balances very well on the Z, lightweight, small and very versatile with the TC 1.4, which is always in my bag. I saw some used copies (in Germany) for around 1.200 €.



Also have the 500mm PF, but the 300 lives on my Z.
 
Thanks to everyone for the replies so far. I try to keep my lens purchases to the minimum so that I ensure I use all of my glass efficiently. 300mm seems like it would be a perfect addition to the Z6 right now. I just want to make sure I am purchasing wisely. Please keep the comments coming...thanks!
 
Rico Tudor said:
Rico Tudor said:
I am looking to add to my Nikon gear and would like something around 300mm or so. Is the AF-S 300mm f/4 worth a look? I am trying to stay under $1K.
Click to expand...
I'm partial to the Nikkor 300/2.8 AF-I but it sure weighs a ton! On the Z6, I get AF-C, IBIS, freedom from the AF Fine Tune nonsense. My copy was $1.2K and it's worth every cent for the image quality.

wilmette205.jpg
Click to expand...
Lovely photo. Yes that lens is a monster!
 
PLShutterbug said:
You asked for a prime, I know, but I have the 200-500 and really, really like it. Tack sharp and very versatile. On sale right now for about $1,200 or so.
Click to expand...
I have heard conflicting opinions on this lens and am still considering it. Some say copy variation is all over the place. Others say it isn't that sharp. Any hi-res samples on a Z camera you could share?
 
i have the older 300 and it does not work on my z cameras. I know there are many versions of this model and I don't know the differences.

You may have to test the lens you are looking at to make sure it has the correct electronics to work with the camera you are looking at Nikon may be of help with this..
 
Thanks for the replies...now a different questions. How about an f/4 zoom. The 2012 version of the Nikon 70-200 f/4 G VR seems like a decent lens. Anyone use one?
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top