Keep the old 300mm F4 ED or buy the 300mm PF

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PAUL50

PAUL50

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After reading a number of reviews and some threads here I’m wondering if it makes sense to trade in my old 300mm F4 ED for the 300 PF. Besides a slight size and weight difference the only advantage I see is that the PF has VR. However, sounds like there remains an issue with VR on the PF. I’d appreciate the views of the group. Thanks
 
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Do you mean the AF-S 300mm F4D IF-ED or the older AF version? Seems to be a consenus that the PF is slightly sharper than the AF-S IF-ED in the center, but that the older model is sharper in the corners. If you have one already, not much point unless VR is must for you.
 
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PAUL50 said:
After reading a number of reviews and some threads here I’m wondering if it makes sense to trade in my old 300mm F4 ED for the 300 PF. Besides a slight size and weight difference the only advantage I see is that the PF has VR. However, sounds like there remains an issue with VR on the PF. I’d appreciate the views of the group. Thanks
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I can't speak for others, but FWIW I sold my older 300mm f/4 for the PF version. I really like the new version, not just for the light weight (which is fantastic) but also for the very fast AF performance. I haven't had the VR troubles many report but perhaps it's dumb luck and the shutter speeds I happen to use. I also think the new version works better with the TC-14 III teleconverter and maintains better AF speed and performance with the TC attached.
 
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JANuser said:
Do you mean the AF-S 300mm F4D IF-ED or the older AF version? Seems to be a consenus that the PF is slightly sharper than the AF-S IF-ED in the center, but that the older model is sharper in the corners. If you have one already, not much point unless VR is must for you.
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The AF-S version.
 
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DRwyoming said:
I can't speak for others, but FWIW I sold my older 300mm f/4 for the PF version. I really like the new version, not just for the light weight (which is fantastic) but also for the very fast AF performance. I haven't had the VR troubles many report but perhaps it's dumb luck and the shutter speeds I happen to use. I also think the new version works better with the TC-14 III teleconverter and maintains better AF speed and performance with the TC attached.
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Thanks DR. One last question. When you sell your gear do you trade it in to one of the big companies or do you use something like eBay, if you don’t mind me asking.
 
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Sales in my experience are mixed. You can do very well on eBay, much better than trade-ins, but other times not so much. eBay takes 10% plus $0.30c from the total price, and most of the seller payment methods take another 2-4% cut. In the end you typically get about what most companies will take as a trade, unless you have a mint copy and are lucky enough to get a bidding war going. They can also hold the money for up to 30 days for new sellers, if you haven't been on there and sold a good volume of items. A new seller also cannot choose who can buy from them, so it's hard to block scammer accounts. I for one would not want to be selling high value items on a new account on eBay these days.

Trade-ins are easier, because you can get it done and take your new gear home the same day, but you can get undercut, so if there is more than one camera dealer in town try to get more than one offer. The worst undercuts I've seen is on used accessories, like battery grips and the like. Lenses don't tend to be that bad.
 
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JANuser said:
Sales in my experience are mixed. You can do very well on eBay, much better than trade-ins, but other times not so much. eBay takes 10% plus $0.30c from the total price, and most of the seller payment methods take another 2-4% cut. In the end you typically get about what most companies will take as a trade, unless you have a mint copy and are lucky enough to get a bidding war going. They can also hold the money for up to 30 days for new sellers, if you haven't been on there and sold a good volume of items. A new seller also cannot choose who can buy from them, so it's hard to block scammer accounts. I for one would not want to be selling high value items on a new account on eBay these days.

Trade-ins are easier, because you can get it done and take your new gear home the same day, but you can get undercut, so if there is more than one camera dealer in town try to get more than one offer. The worst undercuts I've seen is on used accessories, like battery grips and the like. Lenses don't tend to be that bad.
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Thanks for the information. Very helpful.
 
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Ive pretty much decided to update with the 300 PF because it has VR, which the older version does not, and because it’s both smaller and lighter. But that’s a good point you raise. Thanks
 
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