On 9 Nov 1998 20:27:40 GMT, Evan Miller wrote:

>I am serious about buyuing a 300/2.8 AF lens for Nikon and would like
>user opinions on the various alternatives I know about: Nikon 300/2.8
>AF-S, AF-I, AF (latter two not available new I believe), Tamron, Tokina,
>and Sigma lenses. I would use about 30% of the time with either a 1.4X
>or 2X converter, would like opinions on those as well.

The point of the weight/size/price of the f2.8 is the ability to use the
lens at f2.8 - otherwise the excellent Nikkor 300mm f4 would
be preferable, I would think... The Nikkor 300mm f2.8 MF's are quite
sharp to the corners at f2.8 - dunno 'bout the others.......;-)
(BTW, I would not discount the MF Nikkor - it "snaps" into focus,
and for me, AF would be pretty useless with this lens...
[and these are available, and relatively cheaper used {jes' hap-pin
t' hav wun a-vail-la-bl...;-}]) Also, if you are interested in
good-quality images when using converters, it is likely this
would further separate the Nikkors from the alternatives - at
least with the MF Nikkor 300mm f2.8, it is excellent on the
1.4X Nikkor TC, and unexpectedly good on the 2X (good wide-open,
excellent two stops down [mostly contrast improvement]).