Used Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 AI Manual Lens
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Condition & contents
| Grading | Excellent, optics perfect, light signs of use |
|---|---|
| Testing | Fully tested |
| Warranty | 12 month warranty |
| Includes | Caps |
At a glance: Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 AI - all-metal manual-focus telephoto prime for the F mount.
About this lens
The Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 AI is a manual-focus telephoto prime from Nikon's AI era, built to the all-metal standard of 1970s professional Nikkor glass. AI (Automatic Indexing) lenses couple mechanically to the camera's meter, and this remains one of the more affordable routes to a genuine 300mm prime on the F mount.
Build & handling
| Focus | Manual only - long-throw helicoid |
|---|---|
| Construction | All-metal barrel, built-in retractable hood on most examples |
| Tripod collar | Integrated on most examples |
| Filter thread | 72mm |
Works with
- Nikon F-mount film SLRs of the AI era onward
- Nikon DSLRs - metering support for non-CPU AI lenses varies by model, check yours
- Nikon Z mirrorless via the FTZ adapter (manual focus and aperture)
- Other mirrorless systems via F-mount adapters
- 72mm screw-in filters
Best for
A characterful long prime for photographers happy to focus manually - well suited to landscape compression, static wildlife, aviation and astrophotography, where deliberate focusing is no hindrance. On a DX body the crop makes it a 450mm equivalent. Modern Nikon DSLRs will meter with AI lenses to varying degrees depending on model, so check your body's support for non-CPU lenses before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Will it meter on a modern Nikon DSLR?
It depends on the body. Higher-end models (such as the D7000 series and above, and full-frame bodies) let you register non-CPU lenses and meter with them. Entry-level bodies generally will not meter, though the lens still mounts and shoots in manual.
Is autofocus available?
No. This is a manual-focus lens with a mechanical aperture ring - there is no autofocus motor or electronic communication.
Specifications
| Focal Length | 300mm |
|---|---|
| Lens Type | Prime, Telephoto |
| Max Aperture | f/4.5 |
| Lens Mount | Nikon F Mount, Nikon FX Mount |
| Condition | Used |
| Brand | Nikon |