【Mint】Nikon Zoom-NIKKOR 100-300mm f/5.6 Ai-s Telephoto Lens from Japan #E0239

• Focus ring works smoothly
• Zoom ring works smoothly
• Aperture ring clicks properly
• Aperture blades move smoothly

• Light faint scratches on the front element. No noticeable effect on images.
• No fungus
• No haze or fog
• No balsam separation

• Brand: Nikon
• Model: Zoom-NIKKOR 100-300mm f/5.6 Ai-S
• Lens Type: Manual Focus Telephoto Zoom Lens
• Lens Mount: Nikon F Mount (Ai-S)
• Suitable Cameras: Nikon F-mount film SLRs, Nikon DSLRs (manual focus), mirrorless cameras via adapter
• Format: 35mm Full Frame
• Focal Length: 100–300mm
• Maximum Aperture: f/5.6 (constant)
• Minimum Aperture: f/32
• Lens Construction: 10 Elements in 7 Groups
• Lens Coating: Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC)
• Angle of View: 24°20' – 8°10'
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 2 m (6.6 ft)
• Focus Type: Manual Focus
• Zoom Type: One-touch push-pull
• Aperture Coupling: Ai-S
• Depth-of-Field Scale: Yes
• Filter Size: 62mm
• Focus Scale: Feet and meters
• Made in: Japan

The Nikon Zoom-NIKKOR 100-300mm f/5.6 Ai-S is a manual-focus telephoto zoom that brings a genuinely long reach to the classic Nikon system in a remarkably manageable package. Introduced in the Ai-S era, it was designed for photographers who wanted the flexibility of a 3× telephoto zoom without the size and weight of faster professional lenses. It remains a capable and characterful tool for long-distance photography.

Its 10-element, 7-group optical design with Nikon Integrated Coating produces sharp, contrasty images with good colour fidelity throughout the zoom range. The constant f/5.6 maximum aperture means exposure does not change as you zoom, a real convenience with manual or flash exposure. At the long end, the strong compression of 300mm lets you isolate subjects cleanly from their surroundings with smooth, natural-looking backgrounds.

The lens uses Nikon's one-touch push-pull design, so zooming and focusing are controlled with a single ring, allowing fast framing and focusing with one hand. Build quality is typical of Ai-S Nikkors: a solid metal barrel, precise markings and a smooth helicoid. The Ai-S coupling ensures full usability with Nikon's manual-focus bodies, including shutter-priority and program modes on cameras such as the FA and FG.

A 100-300mm range covers an enormous variety of subjects. At 100mm it is a fine portrait focal length, while 200–300mm is ideal for wildlife, birds in gardens and parks, motorsports, airshows and field sports. It is also excellent for landscape photographers who like to pick out distant details, layered hills and dramatic compressed vistas. Whether you are photographing a family gathering, a weekend trip or a quiet walk around town, it is ready to capture the moment.

Thanks to the Nikon F mount, this lens remains remarkably versatile. It mounts directly on Nikon manual-focus film bodies such as the FM, FE, FM2, FE2, FA and F3, and on many Nikon DSLRs; higher-end models such as the D7000 series, D300 series, D700, D800 series and Df can even meter with it once the lens data is entered. With a simple adapter it also works beautifully on Nikon Z, Sony E, Fujifilm X, Canon RF and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, where focus peaking and magnification make precise manual focusing easy.

On APS-C and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras the effective reach extends dramatically, giving super-telephoto framing in a lens that is still easy to carry. With in-body stabilization on many modern bodies, handheld use becomes much more practical. The smooth manual focus action also makes it well suited to video, where controlled focus transitions are valued. This adds yet another dimension to an already capable piece of equipment.

This lens is still valued today because it provides real Nikkor telephoto performance at an accessible level, with build quality that modern consumer zooms rarely match. Its constant aperture and compact design make it a practical alternative to bulky modern telephoto lenses for photographers who enjoy a deliberate, manual approach. Many photographers who try it once end up keeping it in their kit for years.

For Nikon film shooters, mirrorless users exploring vintage glass, or anyone wanting a long telephoto zoom with classic Nikon quality, the Zoom-NIKKOR 100-300mm f/5.6 Ai-S is an excellent choice. It delivers reach, versatility and solid craftsmanship in one package, and we recommend it as a rewarding addition to any manual-focus kit. It is a choice that experienced photographers and newcomers alike can make with confidence.