AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D IF-ED

INTRO

For the amateur photographer on a budget, the choices for an affordable telephoto from Nikon are very little. I have written about the AFS 70-300mm VR zoom, but its a bit too slow for some of the more demanding kids sports and weekend wildlife adventures, then there is the AF 80-400mm VR, but its also slow and a bit too expensive. Some people opt for the AFS 70-200mm VR coupled to a tele-converter, but its still an expensive option. Its also a shame that Nikon didn't introduce an AF version of their very popular Ais 400mm f/5.6 ED back in the late eighties when the change to autofocus was happening. Thankfully though, we got the 300mm f/4.

AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8G Micro - Revisited

(Tested with D300 & D700)

INTRO

This modern version of the 105mm Micro lens will be a great hit with most amateurs. Especially those who in most probability are strangers to the use of a tripod, PK rings, diffusers and pegs while macro shooting. They will definitely find the new AFS VR macro and the portable ring-flash kit (R1C1) all you need for shooting insects and flowers while walking in the park. But this is definitely not a toy lens, and it  surely can deliver sharp, contrasty and colorful results for both amateurs and professionals alike. Lets take a closer look!

Nikkor AF 35mm f/2D - Revisited

(Tested with D300 & D700)

INTRO

Back in the days when I was shooting Velvia film, the AF 35mm f/2D lens was one of my favorite lenses. Even with my first digital bodies (D70, D200) I used it as a low-light normal lens with great success. On DX, there is no visible distortion and it produces crisp images with clean colors. Easy to carry all day long while producing excellent images. Today things are a little different - digital cameras are more demanding and most cheap zooms covering the 35mm range seem to perform just as well if not better. Lets take a closer look at this old timer and how it performs on modern DX and FX bodies!

Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.4D - Revisited

(Tested with D300 & D700)

If you are a newcomer to digital photography, then you are probably used to shooting at f/8 which means that you will be pleasantly surprised when you first use this little gem. The first thing you'll notice is that your camera will suddenly feel so much lighter and easier to handle - compared to your average zoom - then when you look through the viewfinder you will be surprised by the bright and clear view. But you'll be most surprised by the results themselves. Shoot wide open or at f/2 and the smooth and creamy OOF (out of focus) areas will encapsulate your mind. After this first experience I’m sure you will fall in love with fast lenses and a new window of creative opportunity will develop. The main reason to have a fast lens (eg: with a max aperture of f/1.4) in your kit is to provide you with acceptable shutter speeds under difficult low lighting conditions so you could become more mobile and work without the use of a tripod. The second reason is to have access to isolation capabilities! ... to be able to isolate your main subject from the background.