Nikon NIKKOR-H Auto 300mm f/4.5
Telephoto Non-AI MF Lens
Made in/ Used in/ Shipping from Japan
Overview
Introduced in 1969, the NIKKOR-H Auto 300mm f/4.5 is a telephoto prime of particular historical significance — the subject of Nikon's famous "Thousand and One Nights" optical design story (No. 70). Its six-element, five-group construction delivers a clean, well-corrected image with good contrast for the era, and the fully automatic diaphragm made it far more practical in the field than the earlier Preset-aperture 300mm f/2.8 it complemented. A built-in retractable hood and tripod collar complete the package.
The lens earned a reputation as a dependable workhorse among sports and wildlife photographers of the 1960s and 70s. Stopped down to f/5.6–f/8, sharpness across the frame is solid and chromatic aberration is well controlled for a pre-APO design. Wide open at f/4.5, slight softness at the edges is noticeable but the centre renders crisply with pleasant, smooth background separation at four metres and beyond.
The NIKKOR-H Auto 300mm f/4.5 was revised into the New Nikkor 300mm f/4.5 (1975), then the Ai NIKKOR 300mm f/4.5 (1977), and ultimately the Ai-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4.5 (1981), making this the founding member of a four-generation lineage. On modern mirrorless bodies via an F-mount adapter, the Non-AI coupling tab requires removal or use of bodies that accept Non-AI lenses natively.
Compatibility
Non-AI coupling. Cannot be safely mounted on most AI-era and later bodies — the fixed meter coupling lever will be damaged. Bodies that safely accept Non-AI lenses: F, F2 series, F3 series, F4 series; Nikkormat FT series, Nikkormat EL series, FM, FE; Df.
Condition
Overall: Excellent+
Appearance
- Clean cosmetics with some light signs of use. There are a few minor scuffs from normal handling, but no dents, dings, or brassing.
Optics
- The optics are in perfect condition. Crystal clear with no issues whatsoever.
Functions
- All functions work properly. Helicoid action is smooth. Aperture blades operate cleanly with no oil. Tested on a camera body.
- Aperture ring is crisp and snappy with solid click stops.
About Customs Duties and Taxes
For buyers in the United States:
- Import duties and taxes are included in the item price or shipping cost. Your shipment will be sent under the Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) method — all import-related charges are prepaid on your behalf.
- You will not be asked to pay any additional customs fees upon delivery.
For buyers in the European Union:
- If the item price is EUR 150 or lower (the shipping cost is not counted), we prepay the import duties (Delivered Duty Paid, DDP). You do not pay any additional import duties on delivery.
- If the item price is higher than EUR 150, import duties and taxes are not included. The buyer pays them.
For buyers in other countries:
- Import duties and taxes are not included and remain the buyer's responsibility.
- Please check with your local customs office for details before purchasing.
- These charges are normally collected by the shipping carrier or at the time of pickup, and are not additional charges from us.
Shipment
- Every item is shipped with a tracking number so you can monitor your delivery status at all times.
- We ship only to the address registered in your eBay account. We are unable to ship to unregistered addresses.
- Orders are dispatched Monday through Friday. We do not ship on weekends or Japanese public holidays.