AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
This high-power, high-performance 4.3x telephoto zoom with VR image stabilization lens allows better hand-held telephoto shooting ED glass.
$539.95*MSRPMSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Close
Supplied Accessories
- LC-67 67mm snap-on front lens cap
- LF-1 rear lens cap
- HB-36 bayonet hood
- CL-1022 flexible lens pouch
*Supplied accessories may differ depending on country or area.
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED
191
191
Great lens for action and nature!
I bought this lens because I could not afford the 70-200 and actually the lens is very good and you get the added 100mm. This lens is not heavy, focus is fast and is easy to use. I use it for architectural detail shots, landscape, nature and sports. The VR works as designed and is priced right!
July 31, 2010
Not a pro
I have owned this lens for nearly a year now and shoot with a D5100 and am amazed by the difference between the kit lens and this wonderful piece of glass. Wonderful bokeh even at 300mm, Sharpness and VR...
I love this lens.
May 11, 2012
I Never Leave Home Without It!
The AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 is unequivocally the best modern telephoto zoom lens if you want a dedicated zoom tele with light weight and a moderate price.
This lens works perfectly on all Nikon digital cameras, along with most Nikon autofocus film cameras made before 1990. This lens is a G-type lens, meaning it has no aperture ring. It won't work on any manual focus camera.
The 70-300mm VR is very sharp with low distortion, an easy manual focus and a fast and accurate autofocus. The VR II, the new version of vibration reduction gives extremely sharp pictures. I've actually gone 4 stops sharper! I don't have to lug a tripod around. The autofocus is quiet and the instant manual focus is.......well, instantaneous.
This lens is perfect for fast action shooting such as sports. I wouldn't use this lens for indoor or outdoor low light shooting. The 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II is much faster in low light.
While the 70-300mm can be stopped down to f/32-40, my advice is don't! Diffraction will give you soft images at these f-stops. Diffraction is a softening effect similar to using a soft-focus filter or shooting through a window screen.
This lens does not produce any lateral chromatic aberration (LCA) with any modern Nikon model since 2006. Distortion on DX is non-existent. With FX cameras there is moderate distortion which can be corrected with Photoshop's lens distortion filter.
There is a phenomenon called falloff. Falloff occurs towards the corners of a DX frame and appears as darkened corners. While the 70-300mm has very little, I haven't seen any on my images. The 18-200mm VR by contrast has falloff at 200mm and f.5.6 on DX cameras. Falloff also occurs and maybe more noticeable on FX and film cameras.
There is no vignetting with this lens, even when I stacked several filters. There typically is no problem with film cameras either with stacked filters. If any vignetting does occur with a film camera, it will be at 100mm. If you're planning on using three or more stacked filters on a film camera, check there first.
There are no problems with flare and ghosting. This lens also has no problem with shadow created by a flash, even at the closest focus distance.
As for sharpness, the 70-300mm is sharp at most settings. It's normal for tele zooms to have the worst distortion at the long end. It is worse at f/11, but much better at f.16. Use f/8 if you can or f/16 if you want depth of field. At f/22 and f/32 there is diffraction, as with all lenses. There is no lens that can overcome the laws of physics.
In a quiet room you'll hear the VR running. It's noisy, but, this is normal. You will feel the VR system when it's working. The VR starts with a "klunk" and stops with a "klunk" after you release the shutter.
Many zoom lenses tightly pack the focal lengths together at one end of the scale. The 70-300mm VR has them evenly spaced and a big-fat zoom ring that is easy to use. There is a little focus shift while simultaneously zooming. The best technique with this lens is; zoom first then focus.
Of all Nikon's tele zooms the 70-300mm VR is the best compromise of size, weight, price and image quality. This lens is like the American Express card, I never leave home without it! This combination of performance, size and weight is my favorite to carry around all day.
April 17, 2012
Heavy but worth it.
Bought this to replace a kIt lens and am very happy with the purchase. Nice bokeh, quick and accurate focusing and sturdy, Sometimes does not read my mind as to focus points but other than that a wonderful lens.
April 3, 2012
I like this lens ideal for wildlife
I got this lens a year ago. to shoot wildlife and I like the range. I have used it for wildlife and action sports with my D300s
March 8, 2012


