| without mirror lockup | with mirror lockup | |
| 300mm f4, 1/200 |
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| 300 + TC-14E f4, 1/100 sec |
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| 300 + TC-16A f4, 1/60 sec |
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| 300 + TC-20E f4, 1/30 sec |
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Nikon 300mm f4 AFS tripod collar tests
This lens has a reputation for a poor tripod mount, primarily as a result of Bjorn Rorslett's article. My sample of this lens is from approximately 2003, so based on Bjorn's article, I expect I have the "improved" version of the tripod collar. Bjorn's article notes the collar was improved sometime prior to December, 2000. The collar certainly feels tight. I can feel no flex in it.
The Nikon D2h, being one of Nikon's professional models, has a very smooth mirror and shutter mechanism, with an internal balancer. Using my 500/4P lens, I have not found any difference in sharpness with mirror lockup, or without.
In the process of conducting my teleconverter tests using this lens, I discovered that in fact this newer collar on the 300/4 AFS, is still very flawed. Below are 100% pixel crops, using my D2h. Even at 1/200, there is a slight sharpness difference with mirror lockup. At 1/100, the results are not at professional standards. At the slower shutter speeds, this tripod collar is simply unuseable without mirror lockup.
I plan to purchase the Kirk tripod collar for this lens, and run the test again. I expect there will be further improvement, even beyond the mirror lockup shots shown on the right.
These tests were shot using the Kirk BH-1 ball head, Nikon D2h. I suspect the TC-20E is actually capable of better results, if we can eliminate the vibration.
| without mirror lockup | with mirror lockup | |
| 300mm f4, 1/200 |
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|
| 300 + TC-14E f4, 1/100 sec |
|
|
| 300 + TC-16A f4, 1/60 sec |
|
|
| 300 + TC-20E f4, 1/30 sec |
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