F3: Anyone tried Nikon 50-300 f4.5

L

Lenilenapi

Carbonite Member
Has anyone tried the old Nikon 50-300 f4.5 with a modern video camera like the F3.
I recently replaced my 80-200 with the Sigma 50- 150 because it is very good glass and also a better zoom ratio for interviews on an F3 . However i'm wondering about keeping the 8-0-200 for lobger shots or even trying the old 50-300 for a really long range.
Its supposed to be sharp , parfocal , & constant aperture and has a longer focus pull , but its heavy though maybe no worse than a red 18-85,
 
Not on the F3, but I have used my "Howitzer" 50-300 on everything from a 5Dmkii, 7d, D800, AF100, Scarlet and now an Epic.

It is a beast and one of my favorite lenses.

Howitzer.jpg
7d.jpg
 
Thanks Matt,
What do you like about it and what situations do you tend to use it in? I see from your lens list that your other zooms cover the same ranges as mine do.
 
It really is a specialty lens since it is so damn heavy, but I usually use it when I want that extremely compressed fully zoomed in look.
 
I think Matt's is the ED AIS version. After working with the Howitzer on A Verse Before Dying (AF100 short) I bought my own, but it wasn't the ED AIS version. Mine had a little bit of play internally, was softer when wide open, and didn't feel quite as solid as the AIS version. If that's a useful focal length for you, I suggest spending the extra dough on the ED AIS.
 
I'm not aware of a 50-300 with AF. Have a link?

I don't have a lot of experience with Nikon glass w/ autofocus. Typically the focus throw is a lot shorter, they lack aperture ring, etc.
 
There's a 55-300 and also an 80 - 400. You are probably right about the shorter fcus throw which might be critical on such a short lens.
 
I have and use this lens (50-300/4.5 ED) on my F3. It is a major lens in my kit. Most of the stuff I cover with Nikon 17-55/2.8 and Tokina 50-135/2.8. But for "extreme" situations, I have Tokina 11-16/2.8 and Nikon 50-300/4.5 ED...
the lens is BIG. True. I always mount it on Nikon ProLock with lens support on 15mm rails... BUT, the lens is joy to use. It is sharp, contrasty... Long, long reach... Front Elelment is HUGE (95mm) Focus ring has a long throw. So focusing is very easy. It does extend when focusing.
All together, I will keep this lens for good. I don't see any other option in this zoom range and for the budget I had (I got it for less than $800, in mint shape). Short: winner!
 
Taylor Rudd said:
I'm not aware of a 50-300 with AF. Have a link?

I don't have a lot of experience with Nikon glass w/ autofocus. Typically the focus throw is a lot shorter, they lack aperture ring, etc.
Click to expand...

There is a 55-300mm AF-S. It's a G lens with no aperture ring, shorter throw and the middle of the focal range has a different distortion than either end of the range. Much lighter and smaller than the AIS or Non-AI versions. Also, it ramps from 4.5 - 5.6. There's a VR version and a VR II.

If you're going to use it on both a DSLR and your video camera you might want the AFS VR II version. If only for your video camera probably the AIS version.
 
Steve,
Thanks for the input. The consistent thing I seem to be hearing is how much you guys really like this lens despite its size. Can you get a 4x4 filter & mattebox in front of it ?
 
Lenilenapi said:
Steve,
Thanks for the input. The consistent thing I seem to be hearing is how much you guys really like this lens despite its size. Can you get a 4x4 filter & mattebox in front of it ?
Click to expand...


Yes, with one "but"...

Front part of the lens rotates and extends while focusing (sucky part...). I usually have Genus WA matte box in front with no connection to the lens (because of its front element size). Once I know the range of focus I will be doing, I position the matte box (on rails) close to the lens, I mount nuns knickers to connect matte box and front of the lens and then stack up my filters as needed. It is not "smooth and pretty" but it gets the job done! If I want the same filter combo on a different shot with a lot of difference in focusing distance (much closer or further focus), I have to rearrange the the combo...
 
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