Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR vs Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF Adaptall-2
Side-by-side comparison from our catalogue data. Better values are highlighted only where a clear difference exists.
Verdict at a glance
- Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF Adaptall-2 is faster by 1 stop (f/2.8 vs f/4.0), letting in more light.
| Spec | AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR | SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF Adaptall-2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Nikon | Tamron |
| Mount | Nikon F | Nikon F |
| Type | Prime | Telephoto |
| Focal length | 300mm | 300mm |
| Max aperture | f/4.0 | f/2.8 (faster) |
| Released | 2015 | n/a |
| Blades | 9 | n/a |
| Format | full-frame | full-frame |
| Groups | 10 | 6 |
| Af motor | SWM | none |
| Elements | 16 | 7 |
| Weight g | 755.0 | n/a |
| Filter mm | 77 | n/a |
| Length mm | 147.5 | n/a |
| Stabilized | Yes | n/a |
| Diameter mm | 89.0 | n/a |
| Min focus m | 1.4 (closer focusing) | 3.0 |
| Max magnification | 0.24 | n/a |
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4E PF ED VR
A 2015 telephoto prime using a Phase Fresnel element to stay short and light, at about 755g. It adds VR and an electromagnetic aperture.
Pros
- Very light for 300mm
- VR with Sport mode
- Sharp
- Takes 77mm filters
Cons
- Phase Fresnel lenses can show banded flare near bright lights
- f/4 is slower than f/2.8 telephotos
- Minimum focus of 1.4m
Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF Adaptall-2
Tamron SP 300mm f/2.8 LD IF Adaptall-2: a telephoto prime lens with a 300mm focal length and a maximum aperture of f/2.8, made for Nikon F mount cameras, from the Tamron SP series. It brings distant subjects closer for sports, wildlife and events.