Nikon 70 300mm f 4 5 5 6G ED IF AF S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
The AF-S VR 70-300 f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED is a high-performance super telephoto zoom lens that has been designed to meet the demands of both digital and 35mm format SLR users. It offers a 4.3x zoom with a range of 70-300mm (105-450mm on a DX Nikon D-SLR) and features ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that ensure superior optical performance. This lens incorporates Nikon’s second-generation vibration reduction system (VR II) that allows flexible hand-held shooting by stabilizing the image to the equivalent extent of using a shutter speed that is four stops faster when compared with a conventional lens (as determined by Nikon performance test). The SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and IF (Internal Focusing) ensure fast and quiet focusing action, and the nine-blade rounded diaphragm makes out-of-focus elements blend smoothly to produce natural-looking, harmonious backgrounds.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Fun lens
This is a great lens. Bought it for my wife as an upgrade to her DX 55-200mm f5.6. We have used that lens for about 4 years and love however it was a bit short for shooting our daughters sporting events. The extra 100mm is very nice and the quality is terrific. I would say we are novice photographers and enjoy snapping photos. This lens is fast enough for the casual use we give it and has not let us down at all. The build quality feels very good in your hands. It is heavy relative to the shorter lens but not too heavy that your hands are yearning to put it down. Lens hood is solid as well. I like that it has a metal mount vs. a plastic mount on our other NIKON lenses. Auto focus is smooth and zoom ring is smooth. I would heartily recommend this to any NIKON owner. Enjoy it.
4 Stars Great 300mm lens – hand held
This is a great lens for outdoor sports or wildlife photography. You can make sharp handheld photos at 300mm. I took several photos at Disney on the safari ride (from a bouncy truck) at 150-300mm … and they came out sharp enough to print at 8×10 and frame. (My wife hung them in the living room, so they have to look pretty good). Probably not the best for low light … need $$ fast glass for that.
4 Stars Be aware -this is not a true 300mm lens – fuzzy above 200mm
I’ve used and enjoyed this lens for about ten months and for sports and large animals it’s terrific. Fast and crisp focus from 70 – 200mm, as the previous review stated. But I too notice the drop off in sharpness after 200mm, especially with small birds. The problem is you feel suckered into going to the full zoom, because it appears sharp while photographing, but unfortunately the quality is disappointing when you get home to see what you’ve got. I also put the lens through home testing – at least 1/1000 shutter and tripod, to find it’s the lens at full zoom that’s the problem.
I still love the lens for most applications (big and/or close birds), but it shows you what A LOT of $$$$ you have to spend on high-end optics to get to the professional level.
4 Stars Sharp Zoom Lens
I bought this lens together with my D90 kit in Nov.,2009.
I had no time to use it extensively.
When I tested it at last week end, I found that it was quite sharp, but the auto-focus was not too fast.
I was not sure whether it was due to the D90 or this lens.
4 Stars nikon 70-300mm lens
I love it, takes great pictures.
The only bad thing is the length of the lens, I need to buy a new bag now.
I purchased it from Electronics Expo through Amazon and the whole experience was absolutely wonderful, I received the lens way before the scheduled delivery day.
