prime35mmdiscontinued
Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 ED-IF AI-S
Nikon · 1981-2005
Professional-grade telephoto with ED glass at an accessible price point. Internal focus keeps the lens compact. Excellent for wildlife and sports where autofocus isn't essential.
Known for
- Wildlife
- Sports
- Nature
- Aviation
Considerations
- Manual focus limits fast action
- Needs tripod/monopod ideally
- f/4.5 not fast
Optical Characteristics
Sharpness (wide)4/5
Sharpness (stopped)5/5
Contrast5/5
Flare Resistance5/5
CA Control5/5
Vignetting Control4/5
Distortion Control5/5
Bokeh: Smooth, beautiful
Rendering: Excellent colour, minimal CA
Color: Neutral, accurate
Common Issues
- Tripod collar wear
- IF mechanism stiffness
Buying Guide
Check the internal focus mechanism moves smoothly. The tripod collar should rotate freely. ED glass and IF at this price point is excellent value.
Specifications
MountNikon F
Focal Length300mm
Max Aperturef/4.5
Min Aperturef/32
Aperture Blades9
Min Focus2.5m
Filter Size72mm
Weight905g
Optical Design
FormulaTelephoto
Elements8
Groups6
CoatingNIC (Nikon)
Special2 ED glass elements, IF (Internal Focus)
Pricing
£300 - £450
Typical used price
Mint: ~£550
Great value for ED glass super-telephoto
Adapts To
Sony EFujifilm XCanon RFNikon Z
Compatible Cameras
Find This Lens
Last verified: Jan 2026Report an error