300mm or longer for Nikon MF

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texchappy

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I've been shooting my F2 and FTn some lately, especially on the long end for birds. Right now the longest I have is a 180mm/2.8 Ed AIs. It's a wonderful lens but would like something a might longer. I see non-ED 300mm/4.5 dirt cheap pretty regularly. Are they worth the modest some asked or would you recommend another budget minded choice for something longer than 200mm?

TIA,
Tony
 
+1 for the old 300\4.5 AIs it's a very good lens for that price, the only downside is of course the maximum aperture, on my Nikon F\F2 if you close just one stop, my focus screen has a blackout...i have to change the Focus screen everytime i have to use the "big beast"
 
If you can spring for the ED-IF, go for it. It's lighter, focuses closer and is superior optically. The same goes for the variations of the 400/5.6 (ED-IF is better).

Another choice, but a little more money depending on the seller, is the AF 300/4 lens. Not sure if Nikon still does the Non-AI'ing jobs, but any repair shop (or, in fact, anybody with a drill press and a proper-sized tap) could do it if you need metering. The focusing ring is pretty good, but the aperture ring is your classic Post-AF Nikon plastic. Note this isn't the VR lens, which costs about $1,200.
 
texchappy said:
Is there any other long bargains out there? Something that doesn't cost an arm and leg and does a reasonable job.
Click to expand...

The bargain lenses in the 300 and above are going to be second tier. Also much past 300 gets harder to hand hold. The ones mention so far are good lenses. Here are a couple other options if u cheaper... Some sample prices from keh.

- Nikon 100-300f5.6 - 105 to 149
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Zoom-Lenses/1/sku-NK07999031056N?r=FE
- Nikon 500 f8 mirror - 215 if u don't mind donut looking bokeh and constant f8 aperture
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NK06009015033J?r=FE
- Nikon 300 f4.5 - 109 if u don't mind a really old lens.. P non-ai.
http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Manual-Focus-Fixed-Focal-Length-Lenses/1/sku-NK06999029856N?r=FE

Good luck
Gary
 
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I used to have a 600mm cat from Sigma that was outstanding. But they cost an arm and leg if you can find them. I also have a 400mm preset. Very light, but due to its length it isn't as hand holdable. It is however, quite sharp. And for birding, I would think a lot, perhaps most, of your photos can be braced it not put on a tripod. There were also some made that were auto-diaphram. They are mostly inexpensive. You might want to try one. The price is right and all you have to do is find a good one.
 
How about a good quality 2x converter for the 180 2.8? Cheaper then a substandard long lens and probably at least as good image wise.
 
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