AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens User Manual

For Your Safety

WARNINGS

• Do not disassemble or modify. In case of malfunction, have the product repaired only by a qualified technician. If the product breaks open due to a fall or accident, avoid touching exposed parts. Failure to observe these precautions could result in electric shock or injury.
• Turn off the camera immediately in case of malfunction. If you notice smoke or an unusual smell, unplug the AC adapter and remove the camera battery, taking care to avoid burns. Continued operation could result in fire or injury. After removing the battery, take the equipment to a Nikon-authorized service center for inspection.
• Keep dry. Do not expose the product to water or handle with wet hands. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or electric shock.
• Do not use in the presence of flammable gas. Operating the equipment at filling stations or in the presence of propane or other flammable gas or dust could result in explosion or fire.
• Do not look at the sun through the lens or the camera viewfinder. Viewing the sun or other bright light source through the lens or viewfinder could cause permanent visual impairment.

CAUTIONS

• Keep out of reach of children. Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction.
• Do not focus sunlight through the lens. Sunlight focused through the lens could cause fire. When shooting backlit subjects, keep the sun well out of the frame. If the lens will not be used for an extended period, replace the lens caps and store out of direct sunlight.
• Do not overheat. Do not leave the product in locations exposed to extremely high temperatures, such as in an enclosed vehicle in direct sunlight, or wrap the product in a towel or handkerchief or otherwise cover the product while it is in use. Failure to observe these precautions could result in fire or product malfunction.

Parts of the Lens (Figure 1)

Diagram description: Figure 1 shows the lens with various parts labeled. The labels are:

• q Lens hood mounting mark
• w Focus ring
• e Focus distance indicator
• r Focus distance mark
• t Lens rotation index
• y Lens mounting mark
• u Rubber lens-mount gasket
• i CPU contacts
• o Focus-mode switch
• !0 Focus limit switch
• !1 Vibration reduction switch
• !2 Lens hood
• !3 Lens hood lock mark
• !4 Lens hood alignment mark
• !5 Position indices (90)*
• !6 Tripod collar ring*
• !7 Tripod collar ring attachment knob*

* Optional.

Compatibility

This lens can be used with the following Nikon DSLR cameras: D4-series, D3-series, Df, D810, D800-series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D300-series, D7100, D7000, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3300, D3200, and D3100. For the latest information on compatible cameras, consult Nikon catalogs or visit the Nikon website for your region.

Focus

Supported focus modes are shown in the table below. For camera focus modes, refer to the camera manual.

A/M and M/A Modes

• M/A: Autofocus can be overridden by rotating the lens focus ring.
• A/M: Similar to M/A, but the focus ring must be rotated further to override autofocus, preventing accidental focus changes from unintended ring operation.

To use these modes:

1. Slide the lens focus-mode switch to A/M or M/A.
2. Focus. Autofocus can be overridden by rotating the lens focus ring while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway (or by pressing the AF-ON button if available). To refocus using autofocus, press the shutter-release button halfway or press the AF-ON button again.

The Focus Limit Switch

This switch sets the focus distance limits for autofocus.

• FULL: Use the entire focus range.
• ∞ to 3 m: If your subject will always be at a distance of at least 3 m (9.9 ft), select this option for faster focusing.

Depth of Field

If the camera offers depth-of-field preview, it can be previewed in the viewfinder. Note: The focus distance indicator is a guide and may not accurately show the subject distance. Due to depth of field or other factors, it may not display correctly when focused on a distant object.

Aperture

Aperture is adjusted using camera controls. Frame rate may drop at some apertures.

Built-in Flash Units

When using the built-in flash on cameras equipped with one, remove the lens hood to prevent vignetting (shadows caused by the lens obscuring the flash).

Vibration Reduction (VR)

Vibration reduction (VR) minimizes blur caused by camera shake, allowing shutter speeds up to 4.5 stops slower than usual, thus expanding the range of usable shutter speeds. VR effects are measured in NORMAL mode according to CIPA standards. FX-format lenses are measured on FX-format cameras, and DX-format lenses on DX-format cameras. Zoom lenses are measured at maximum zoom.

Using the Vibration Reduction Switch

• OFF: Turns vibration reduction off.
• NORMAL: For enhanced VR when photographing stationary subjects. VR takes effect when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.
• SPORT: For photographing athletes and other fast, unpredictable subjects. VR takes effect when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway.

Using Vibration Reduction: Notes

• When using VR, press the shutter-release button halfway and wait for the viewfinder image to stabilize before pressing it fully.
• When VR is active, the viewfinder image may appear blurred after shutter release; this is not a malfunction.
• SPORT is recommended for panning shots, though NORMAL is also supported.
• In NORMAL and SPORT modes, VR applies only to non-panning motion. For example, if panning horizontally, VR only compensates for vertical shake.
• Do not turn off the camera or remove the lens while VR is active. If power is cut, the lens may rattle when shaken; this is not a malfunction and can be corrected by reattaching the lens and turning the camera on.
• If the camera has a built-in flash, VR is disabled while the flash charges.
• NORMAL and SPORT VR can reduce blur when the camera is on a tripod. However, OFF may yield better results depending on the tripod type and shooting conditions.
• NORMAL and SPORT are recommended if the camera is mounted on a monopod.

The Lens Hood

The lens hood protects the lens and blocks stray light that would otherwise cause flare or ghosting.

Attaching the Hood

Align the lens hood mounting mark (G) with the lens hood alignment mark ( ) and rotate the hood (w) until the G mark aligns with the lens hood lock mark (--{).

When attaching or removing the hood, hold it near the symbol on its base and avoid gripping too tightly. Vignetting may occur if the hood is not correctly attached. The hood can be reversed and mounted on the lens when not in use. When reversed, it can be attached/removed by rotating it while holding near the lock mark (--{).

The Optional RT-1 Tripod Collar Ring

Loosen the tripod collar ring attachment knob to rotate the camera to the desired position and orient the display horizontally or vertically. Note that your hand may contact the tripod if you rotate the camera while holding it by the grip. Depending on camera/tripod attachment, camera shake may be reduced by attaching the tripod to the camera's tripod socket.

CAUTION

Fully tighten the tripod collar ring attachment knob when attaching the ring. Failure to do so could result in the ring detaching from the lens, causing injury.

Attaching the Tripod Collar Ring (Figure 2)

Diagram description: Figure 2 shows how to attach the tripod collar ring.

1. Loosen the tripod collar ring attachment knob (q).
2. Open the ring: Pull the attachment knob toward you (w) and open the ring (e).
3. Place the lens in the ring (r).
4. Close the ring: Pull the attachment knob toward you (t) and close the ring (y). Do not use excessive force.
5. Tighten the attachment knob (u).

Positioning the Camera (Figure 3)

Diagram description: Figure 3 shows how to position the camera on the tripod collar.

Loosen the attachment knob (i), adjust the position indices to the desired vertical or horizontal orientation (o), and then tighten the attachment knob (!0).

Removing the Tripod Collar Ring (Figure 4)

Diagram description: Figure 4 shows how to remove the tripod collar ring.

1. Loosen the attachment knob (!1).
2. Remove the ring: Pull the attachment knob toward you (!2), open (!3), and remove the lens (!4).

Lens Care

• The lens returns to maximum aperture when removed from the camera. To protect the interior, store it out of direct sunlight or replace lens caps.
• Do not pick up or hold the lens or camera using only the lens hood.
• Keep the CPU contacts clean.
• If the rubber lens-mount gasket is damaged, cease use immediately and take the lens to a Nikon-authorized service center for repair.
• Use a blower to remove dust and lint from lens surfaces.
• The fluorine-coated front element can be cleaned by wiping with a dry cloth. Fingerprints and stains can be removed with a soft, clean cotton cloth or lens cleaning tissue; clean from the center outwards in a circular motion, avoiding smears and touching the glass with fingers. For stubborn stains, use a soft cloth dampened with distilled water, ethanol, or lens cleaner. Drop-shaped stains on the water- and oil-repellent fluorine-coated element can be removed with a dry cloth.
• To remove smudges and fingerprints from the rear lens element, apply a small amount of ethanol or lens cleaner to a soft, clean cotton cloth or lens-cleaning tissue and clean from the center outwards in a circular motion, avoiding smears and touching the glass with fingers.
• Never use organic solvents like paint thinner or benzene to clean the lens.
• The lens hood or NC filters can protect the front lens element.
• Attach the front and rear caps before placing the lens in its flexible pouch.
• If the lens will not be used for an extended period, store it in a cool, dry location to prevent mold and rust. Do not store in direct sunlight or with mothballs.
• Keep the lens dry. Rusting of the internal mechanism can cause irreparable damage.
• Leaving the lens in extremely hot locations could damage or warp plastic parts.
• Rapid temperature changes may cause damaging condensation inside and outside the lens. Before moving the lens from a warm to a cold environment or vice versa, place it in a bag or plastic case to slow the temperature change.

PF (Phase Fresnel) Lenses

This lens features a PF (Phase Fresnel) element, which reduces chromatic aberration using Nikon's diffraction technique. PF elements, when used with standard glass, greatly reduce chromatic aberration, allowing for smaller and lighter lenses. However, lenses with PF elements are prone to colored ring flare (PF flare) when a bright light source is in or near the frame. Colored ring flare can be reduced using the PF Flare Control option in Capture NX-D version 1.1.0 or later, available for download from the Nikon website. Customers without internet access can contact a Nikon-authorized service representative. Always use the latest version. PF Flare Control is only for photographs, not movies; see online help for details.

* Diffraction: Light waves bend around obstacles, causing chromatic dispersion patterns opposite to refraction.

Supplied Accessories

• 77 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77
• Rear Lens Cap LF-4
• Bayonet Hood HB-73
• Lens Case CL-M3

Compatible Accessories

• 77 mm screw-on filters
• Tripod collar ring RT-1
• AF-I/AF-S Teleconverters TC-14E /TC-14E II /TC-14E III /TC-17E II* /TC-20E* /TC-20E II* /TC-20E III*

* Autofocus is available only with single-servo AF (AF-S) and only when the lens is mounted on a camera that supports f/8.

Specifications

Nikon reserves the right to change the specifications of the hardware described in this manual at any time and without prior notice.