Sharp super-telephoto lens. <a href="#">[Buy on Amazon]</a>
The Nikon 300mm f/4.5 ED AI-S is a compact and optically impressive manual focus super-telephoto lens, well-regarded for its sharpness, contrast, and reach — especially considering its age and price point. Thanks to the inclusion of Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass, it delivers image quality that still holds up decades later, making it a favorite among vintage lens enthusiasts and nature photographers alike.
At 300mm, this lens offers strong background compression and narrow fields of view, making it perfect for wildlife, distant portraits, landscape details, sports, and even moon photography. The f/4.5 maximum aperture is fast enough to allow for handheld shooting in good light, while remaining much lighter and more compact than modern f/2.8 super-telephotos. For outdoor shooters who move a lot — hikers, birders, or casual sports photographers — it’s a welcome balance of reach and portability.
The real standout feature is the ED glass element. It helps control chromatic aberration and boosts contrast and sharpness, especially wide open. At f/4.5, the lens already delivers excellent central sharpness, with further improvements when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8. The rendering is clean and natural, with vivid colors and good microcontrast. Bokeh is smooth and non-distracting, especially when photographing distant subjects with busy backgrounds.
The focusing ring is long and precise — a necessity for 300mm work — and allows for fine control even when tracking moving subjects. The lens includes a built-in metal hood to reduce flare and protect the front element, and its AI-S construction means it pairs seamlessly with manual Nikon film cameras and adapts well to modern digital systems.
Despite being a super-telephoto lens, it’s relatively light (around 1.2 kg) and very manageable for handheld use with proper technique. On mirrorless cameras with in-body stabilization and focus peaking, it becomes a powerful tool for telephoto work — especially when you want control and a classic rendering style that modern autofocus lenses sometimes lack.
Tip: For the best results, shoot at f/5.6–f/8 with a monopod or tripod for added stability. It’s a great lens for bird photography at feeders or in quiet parks, where you can keep your distance and still capture crisp detail.