Nikkor 300mm f/2 ED IF AIS lens with TC-14C

[Bill De Jager]

This is worth noting even if you don't want to buy it: a
Nikkor 300mm f/2 ED IF AIS with matching teleconverter TC-14C, unmodified, from an apparently reputable seller.

Only US$25000.

[Birna Rørslett]

Oh -- fond memories of that über-heavy boat anchor Seeing the price it fetches today makes me regret, just a little bit, I didn't hold on to my sample longer.

I did keep the dedicated TC-14C, though.

[Imagelover]

Hello! In Oslo, Norway, we still have a newspaper called "VG" (Verdens Gang). Before the Internet I made a wanted announcement in "Fotografi" for the AI-S Nikkor 300mm f2 IF-ED. The head of the photographic department called me and said that they wanted to sell this lens. I made him an offer, and more than a month later he called me and said: What was your offer, Ivar?" I told him "NOK 20.000,-". The lens is yours," he said. "An another "lunatic" wouldn't pay more than NOK 17.000,-." I have to mention that I got only the lens, not the dedicated TC-14C and the case (was missing). The picture is taken with this lens on a friend's Nikon D850 camera which I was fortunate to try for an hour. The image shows a part of the "old" Kristiansund town which wasn't damaged during april 1940. Aperture 5.6 on a sturdy tripod, ISO 64.

[Birna Rørslett]

Nice documentation of the drawing of the 300/2.

(by the way, I purchased my 300/2 from another Oslo newspaper)

[Frank Fremerey]

Hello! In Oslo, Norway, we still have a newspaper called "VG" (Verdens Gang). Before the Internet I made a wanted announcement in "Fotografi" for the AI-S Nikkor 300mm f2 IF-ED. The head of the photographic department called me and said that they wanted to sell this lens. I made him an offer, and more than a month later he called me and said: What was your offer, Ivar?" I told him "NOK 20.000,-". The lens is yours," he said. "An another "lunatic" wouldn't pay more than NOK 17.000,-." I have to mention that I got only the lens, not the dedicated TC-14C and the case (was missing). The picture is taken with this lens on a friend's Nikon D850 camera which I was fortunate to try for an hour. The image shows a part of the "old" Kristiansund town which wasn't damaged during april 1940. Aperture 5.6 on a sturdy tripod, ISO 64.

you bought the beast for just 2000€

[Imagelover]

That's right, Frank! But it was more than twenty years ago! I have heard mentioned that only four copies of this lens was sold in Norway through the official norwegian dealer.

[Birna Rørslett]

I have heard the same figure (4 units).

As of now, I have the TC-14C and the found memories of the 300/2. The latter which gave me quite a few bruises when hauled around in the terrain

[Imagelover]

I try to avoid going more than 10 meters away from my car with this heavy lens. I rather use the AI-S Nikkor 300mm 2.8 IF-ED back from the eighties or the newer AF-I 300mm f2.8D IF-ED, recently preferred.

[Imagelover]

This shot is without the TC-14C, only the 300mm f2 lens alone on a tripod. It's from the 4th of January 2016, aperture f8 ISO 50, 1/5 sec. with the D3X camera. I still think this lens has OK sharpness at f8. The lens was a pain to bring because I had to walk more than ten meters away from the car.