The 300 f/4 would be a great choice, as long as you're working in good light. Although the OP has ruled out TC's, the 300 f/4 works great with the 1.4 TC. Compared to the prices of the other two lenses, it's a bargain. And at 1.4 Kg, it's less than half the weight of the big guns: 200-400 is 3.3 Kg, 300 f/2.8 is 2.9 Kg. This Nikon 300mm f/4 AF-S is for the photographer who shoots on a tripod. It's the perfect 300mm lens for the sorts of people who love to shoot raw and demand the absolute highest technical image quality. It certainly will be sharper than a 70-200mm VR II and TC-14E. Personally I prefer to travel light, and shoot the 28-300mm VR instead. Verdict. The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0E PF ED VR is Nikon’s long awaited successor to the venerable and now 14-year-old AF-S 300/4.0D. The new lens is much smaller and lighter than its predecessor – in fact even compared to any other full-frame 300/4.0 lens currently on the market. And it sports Nikon’s latest version of VR image stabilization. 目前使用300mm f4E PF拍小孩室內運動，體積跟重量很適合手持，機動性高. 但對焦速度有點慢，光圈又不夠大，ISO常飆6400，因此想入手300mm f2.8. 在網路看了幾天，發現N家328有好幾款，小弟以手持為主故先刷掉無VR的D鏡. G鏡有VR而且分1代跟2代，網路上看到的資料 300mm f/2.8 + TC1.4EII at f/4 is definitely not as sharp as the 300mm f/2.8 at f/2.8 and is marginally not sharp enough. The 300mm f2.8 when @ f2.8 (wide open) will be sharper than the 300mm f2.8 + 1.4x TCII is attached and shot at f4 (also wide open). This stands to reason as the 1.4x TCII does degrade the image slightly. . Verdict. The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4.0E PF ED VR is Nikon’s long awaited successor to the venerable and now 14-year-old AF-S 300/4.0D. The new lens is much smaller and lighter than its predecessor – in fact even compared to any other full-frame 300/4.0 lens currently on the market. And it sports Nikon’s latest version of VR image stabilization. Nikon 300mm f4 PF shot wide open at f4 against busy background. When stopped down a fraction, busy backgrounds look busier Nikon 300mm f4 PF shot at f5.6, background looks a bit rougher. Stunning lens for BIF, and wildlife action. Not having a zoom is its main drawback. Stopped down to f5.6 or f8, it is really sharp Nikon 300mm f4 PF 1992 - 1996: AF-I. For the first time since 1986, Nikon put a focus motor into the lens, and for the first time since 1977, Nikon updated the optics. Nikon calls these lenses AF-I, for internal-motor autofocus. The 300mm f/2.8 AF-I focuses more closely than the previous AF versions, down to 8' (2.5m). All 300mm f/2.8 Nikkors are excellent, but the AF-I motors are no longer repaired by Nikon and they are slower than the AF-S motors. Nikon do not guarantee parts for all AF-S lenses either, but odds increase the more recent the lens is. I have the previous version, the 300 mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR. In my group, we now own 4 x Tamron 150-600's, despite also owning multiple 200-400's, 300 F2.8's, 500 F4, 600 F4's, etc. Why? Very often, the "technically potentially sharpest" lens does not deliver the "best" result in real world field conditions.

nikon 300mm f4 vs f2 8