Nikon AF NIKKOR 300mm f/4 ED Autofocus IF Lens Review

The Nikon AF NIKKOR 300mm f/4 ED is a classic telephoto prime that has served wildlife, sports, and nature photographers for decades. Built in the autofocus IF (internal focusing) era, it features ED glass to reduce chromatic aberration and delivers sharp images across the frame when stopped down. At 300mm with a maximum aperture of f/4, it offers a useful reach for distant subjects while remaining more compact and affordable than faster telephoto glass.

This particular listing is a used unit in bargain condition from KEH, priced at $157. That positions it as an entry point for photographers wanting serious telephoto reach on a budget, though buyers should expect cosmetic wear and the possibility of minor optical blemishes typical of bargain-grade gear. The lens accepts 82mm front-thread filters and uses 39mm drop-in filters, and it ships with caps. It's a legacy lens that will autofocus on bodies with a built-in focus motor but will be manual-focus-only on entry-level Nikon DSLRs and most mirrorless bodies without adapter compatibility.