Blurry Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8G VR II

Nikon 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II
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The Nikon 300mm f/2.8G VR II is reviewed in DAP.

The awful performance I observed is ridiculous for a 300mm f/2.8 lens costing about $5800. Its problems are documented in multiple ways in my review.

Every other super telephoto that I’ve used from Nikon and Canon has been outstanding, so it’s a rude awakening to learn that quality control can be omitted even with these ultra expensive lenses.

The 300/2.8G VR II arrived extremely well-packed in a large and pristine box, with ample styrofoam “peanuts” surrounding Nikon’s own box, in which the lens was further encased in a cordura carrying case set inside two styrofoam spacers. There is just no chance this lens had anything whack it en-route, the sample had to come from the factory in optical misalignment as seen on these pages. Or it’s just the crappiest super telephoto every made (not likely).

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Not just one sample

But it wasn’t just my brand-new sample. 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.