Update: Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
Related: image stabilization, Nikon, Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8, Nikon Lenses
My DAP review of the Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II documents in multiple ways the worst super telephoto that I’ve ever used— a bad sample presumably. But to my surprise, I’m not the only one that has found an issue. See Brand-new Blur for more on this unfortunate situation of terrible quality control.
Reader Thorsten Kril writes to say:
Mine was awful, too. Far behind the 200/2 and 500/4, and even slightly behind the 300/4 when shooting both wide open! At f/4 it caught up with the 300/4. I didn't know what to make of it, so for now I returned it without getting another one. But it must be a bad sample. It's hard to believe those get out there with lenses of this price range.
See the problem below by mousing over the image to change from f/2.8 to f/4.
Regrettably, the optical problem ruined all my 1.4X and 2X teleconverter tests as well, so there will be some delay on that front. I might resort to using the 200mm f/2 VR instead, and heck maybe it deserves a review anyway.
Still, the results with the 300mm f/2.8G VR II are highly instructive as to what to look for when you obtain a new lens.
