Nikon NIKKOR 300mm 1:4.5 Ai Lens (f/4.5)

Overall Rating:

This lens was introduced in 1977 and discontinued in 1979. It replaced the pre-Ai, K variant, of 1975. About 34,000 units were produced. This lens was eventually replaced by the Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 ED IF Ai-S lens.

Here is a list of all of the Nikkor 300mm/4.5 lenses:

This is not the superior version with ED glass. It has a 150° focus throw and weighs over 1.1kg. It should come with a tripod mount, but it is often missing.

Its all-metal design is a joy to use. It takes 72mm filters which do not rotate as the lens is focused. It features a built-in hood and is multicoated as are all Ai lenses.

The bokeh from this lens is okay but it does exhibit longitudinal chromatic aberration (LoCA).

Sharpness is high, but this lens does exhibit a little color fringing which is not bad at all given that this is not ED glass. These images are at 3:1.

This lens is good for infrared photography.

Distortion is well controlled.

Flaring and ghosting are relatively well controlled.

Diffraction has begun by f/11. This lens is sharpest at f/8 or even f/5.6.

• Focal length: 300mm
• Maximum aperture: f/4.5
• Minimum aperture: f/22
• ø72mm filter ring
• Lens construction: 6 lens elements in 5 groups
• Picture angle: 8°10' (Full Frame), 5°20' (DX)
• Distance scale: 4m/13ft. to infinity with infrared focus index
• 1:10.7 (0.09×) maximum reproduction ratio

Related links:

• Nikon Nikkor Lens Reviews
• All Lens Reviews