Does Mongo think the lens is overpriced?
I felt that the size and performance justified
The extra cost.
The woman is very beautiful and has a winning laugh.
I cannot understand why young people apply a nose ring to themselves like people apply to cattle
thanks Frank.
Mongo found her to be absolutely charming and a very good sport to pose on very short notice.
Mongo has always felt this lens is a little over priced (probably by about $500). True , its convenience in weight and size are worth some extra premium. However, on the other hand, it is meant to be the result of research which should naturally go into the next generation of lenses and a successor to the 300 f4 AFS. Mongo can understand that Nikon may wish to try and get back some of the money spent on development and research but also feels that in a competitive market, these costs are part of being a manufacturer. It is Mongo's understanding that Canon have this or similar technology and have already taken it one step further and improved it. If Mongo has understood the information correctly, it makes the Nikon PF partly outdated. Again, this is subject to Mongo's understanding being correct. Have a quick look at this:-http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-400mm-f-4.0-DO-IS-II-USM-Lens.aspx
Mongo does not understand the ring thing either but must say her manners, warmth and charm were very real nonetheless and a delight to meet.
The 300 PF is a top notch portrait lens, also because of smooth bokeh. The above is another proof. It just needs space, and possibly nice encounters 
By the way, good that you did not succumb to the temptation of turning the lady's skin into plastic. Despite US influence, I still prefer unprocessed ladies (and people in general).
It would be interesting to see what Fresnel lenses may bring to intermediate FLs such as 135. What about a compact, light 135/2 or 150/2 ? or a worthy successor to the 180/2.8s with fast AF ?
thanks Airy. Mongo too does not believe in trying to change natural beauty for so-called unnatural perfection.
Mongo's thoughts for the Fresnel lens has always been for the larger lenses if it can be used for this purpose successfully. We know this lens system can give great savings in size and weight. These savings and features are most needed in big , heavy lenses e.g 400mm f2.8 and 600mm f4 to dramatically reduce their size and weight if technically possible. The smaller focal lengths you have mentioned are already reasonably small and light. Mongo thinks Nikon has used the 300mm f4/ PF as a test case lens to gauge the acceptance of the concept and also how it might be used to get an advantage if this technology could be used to make traditionally bigger lenses even smaller and lighter. However, Mongo has been wrong many times before in trying to work out Nikon's direction and intentions. Only time will reveal this.
