< In other words, is the presence of a filter in the holder integral to the
optical design?>
I believe it is.
<Second, on all my other lenses, I use a UV or skylight filter almost as
an article of faith - not for optical purposes, but just as simple
protection. Better a flying stone should take out a relatively
inexpensive filter than the front element in an expensive lens. So
here's my question: if I add a UV filter (82mm, I know, I know) to the
front of the 300, will it degrade optical performance?>
Adding a filter to protect the front of this lens will not degrade the
image any more than adding a filter of the same quality will for any other
lens you may have.
BTW, in Moose's 4th edition of the Nikon Handbook, he really seems to like
this lens a lot. He uses the word, "marvelous," in the first sentence. :-)
regards,
Henry Posner/B&H Photo-Video
http://www.bhphotovideo.com
