Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Product Description
Lens System: Telephoto zoom lensMounting Type: Nikon FLens Aperture: F/4.5-5.6Focal Length: 70 mm - 300 mmOptical Zoom: 4.3 x... More >>
Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
Tagged with: 70300 • F4.55.6G • IFED • Nikon
Filed under: Camera Lenses
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I have owned this lens for over a year now, and have used it in a wide variety of different situations: sports photography, wildlife, candid photographs of people, etc. Paired with my D80, results have generally been superb – very sharp, even at 300mm, and with the aperture wide open. The quality of the images, both in terms of sharpness and contrast, is notably better than those from the 18-135mm kit lens which came with the camera. The VR works a treat – I hand-held some shots of a christening service in a church (albeit at the bottom end of the focal length range) at 1/8 second, and the results were fine. The only occasional minor problem I have noticed is the lens hunting for the correct focus – but usually this sorts itself out fairly quickly. Overall, I have been very happy, and if you can afford it I recommend spending the extra money on this Nikon lens, rather than on one of the lower-cost alternatives.
Rating: 5 / 5
This review is more about Simply Electronics than the lens itself. I ordered this lens at the same time as a Nikon D80 and another lens (which was delivered by a different seller). Nikon are currently running a cashback offer of £50 if you buy a D80 and one lens, or £75 if you buy a D80 and two lenses.
When this lens turned up it turned out to be sourced from the US, so is not included in the cashback offer. When I complained to Simply Electronics about this they just said that most of their items are sourced from the UK but in this case it came from the US, so unlucky. They said it was my fault for not checking with them first!
So if you are buying this lens from Simply Electronics be aware that it may cost you an extra £25!
Oh, by the way, the lens is excellent!
Rating: 3 / 5
I have been using this lens for a year or so with my Nikon D80 and for the money I think it is a very good value for money lens. Recommended but shop around as you may get it cheaper.
Pros
Well made
Sturdy
For the money it produces sharp images with only minor lens aberrations
Good vibration reduction system
Good price when compared to faster (low f stop) lenses.
Cons
The f stop range means that it has limitations in low light conditions. This is especially noticeable for wildlife and sport photography.
Zoom and focusing rings could have a smoother operation.
I find that the 70mm end has limited use so a 50-200 general purpose lens may be more suitable.
Rating: 4 / 5
Nikon AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
I’ve been an amateur photographer since 1958. My first serious camera was a Hasselblad 500C (How serious do you want to get?) which cost me £150. It had a f2,8 Planar 80mm standard lens and that lens set the standard for the others. My usual print size was whole plate (8.5 x 6.5inches) and the results were magnificent. Times have changed. I took a series of photos on the first day this lens arrived and, just to test its quality, I cropped so that a print on to an A4 was equivalent to an A2. All the negative reviews were set aside. If this lens gives me this quality I am more than happy.
I was very pleased with the VR. Something undreamed of back in the ’60s. One question though. someone should know the answer. In the instructions it reads “Do not turn the camera power OFF or remove the lens from the camera while the VR is in operation etc” What does ‘in operation’ mean? Does it mean ‘during the time the VR lenses are adjusting or does it simply mean ‘when the VR is ON?’ Should I switch off the VR after every VR use?
To repeat: just try this lens. Does it satisfy you? It certainly satisfies me.
Rating: 5 / 5
Having already owned a Tamron 70-300 I discovered that that range was my most popular shot. I love the sniping shots. This Nikon lens is amazing and the VR makes all the difference! Hold down the shutter button and you can feel it cut in and notice suddenly the image through the viewfinder is very still!
I have no problems with the quality of the results. I have heard that its at its sharpest between 170 and 270mm though but I have yet to try that.
Its a little heavy for me as I do a lot of walking and its rather longer that the Tamron so I had to get a new camera bag but Im more than pleased with it.
Rating: 4 / 5