Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4 D ED Autofocus IF Lens {77}

Proven 300mm f/4 prime built for reach without bulk

The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4D ED IF has been a workhorse in the Nikon F-mount ecosystem for nearly three decades. Its Silent Wave Motor drives autofocus without the body's screw drive, which means fast, quiet acquisition even on older camera bodies that lack a built-in AF motor. Internal focus keeps the barrel length fixed during focus pulls, so the balance stays consistent on a monopod and front filters don't rotate, useful when you're running a polarizer in the field.

The optical formula runs 10 elements in 6 groups, with an ED glass element that keeps chromatic aberration in check at f/4 across a 8°10' angle of view. Minimum focus distance sits at 1.45m with a maximum magnification of 0.24x, which gets you closer than most telephotos of this focal length. Nine aperture blades mean the out-of-focus rendering stays smooth as you stop down. It accepts 77mm filters and is fully compatible with Nikon's TC-14E, TC-17E, and TC-20E teleconverters, so you can push to 420mm or 600mm when the subject demands distance. For a manual-era F-mount lens roster that needed a genuine long prime, this one filled a gap that still hasn't lost its relevance.

Who It's For

Wildlife photographers working from a tripod or monopod get a telephoto prime that pairs with teleconverters for serious reach without moving to a much heavier f/2.8 body. Sports shooters covering practice sessions or second-tier events where the light is adequate will find f/4 workable and the Silent Wave Motor responsive. Travel photographers on F-mount bodies who need a long prime they can actually carry all day will appreciate the weight trade-off. Birders benefit directly from the 1.45m minimum focus distance, which lets you fill the frame on smaller species closer than most comparable primes allow.

Key Features

• Silent Wave Motor autofocus works on any Nikon F-mount body
• ED glass element suppresses chromatic aberration across full aperture
• Internal focus keeps barrel length fixed and non-rotating
• Minimum 1.45m focus distance with 0.24x magnification
• 10-element optical formula in 6 groups
• Compatible with TC-14E, TC-17E, TC-20E teleconverters
• Nine-blade diaphragm for smooth out-of-focus rendering
• 77mm filter thread accepts standard accessories

FAQ

Does this lens work with autofocus on older Nikon bodies without built-in AF motors?

Yes. The AF-S Silent Wave Motor is self-contained, so you get autofocus on any F-mount body-including film SLRs and older DSLRs that lack screw-drive AF.

How close can you focus with the 300mm f/4?

Minimum focus distance is 1.45m, with 0.24x magnification. That's closer than many longer telephotos, letting you frame tighter on subjects without losing working distance.

Will teleconverters work with this lens?

Yes. It's compatible with Nikon's TC-14E (1.4x), TC-17E (1.7x), and TC-20E (2.0x) converters, pushing you to 420mm, 510mm, or 600mm respectively.

Does the barrel extend or rotate when focusing?

No. Internal focus keeps the barrel length and weight distribution fixed, and the front doesn't rotate-critical if you're running a polarizer or ND filter.

What optical correction does the ED element provide?

The single ED (Extra-low Dispersion) element controls chromatic aberration at f/4 across the full 8°10' angle of view, keeping color fringing minimal at this aperture.

What size filters does this lens take?

77mm. Standard size for premium telephotos, and it pairs cleanly with quality circular polarizers and ND filters without vignetting.

How smooth is the out-of-focus rendering?

Nine aperture blades produce soft, rounded bokeh circles that stay clean even at f/5.6 and f/8 when stopped down from the f/4 maximum.