Nikon Nikkor 70-300mm F4.0-5.6 D-AF ED Lens

Product Rating
4.15 of 5
89 reviews

Price Range
$315 - $600

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Product Description

Summary

A really good purchase for me. so very sharp, (ED element present in construction) accurate colour rendition, as sharp as other F2.8 nikon mid range zooms costing double.

Strength

Sharp, acurate colour renditions

Weakness

build not fabulous, but not the worse either

Summary

I've done quite some research before buying this prosumer lens. I've considered also the older 75-300. But I choose for light weight and price. I think its good value for money. Of course I would like better results but at this price you shouldn't complain. The noisy and slow af does bother me sometimes.

Strength

+ Light Weight + Good value + Good build quality + Zoomrange

Weakness

- Slow and Noisy AF - Lenshood isn't effective

Summary

I mage a huge mistake, I traded a Sigma 70-300mm for this lens. The Sigma was sharp, focused well (although a little slow), had a reasonable macro ability i.e. 1:2, did not cost as much as the Nikon and once focused I new the subject would be crisp. This lens would not give consistent sharp images. I had to take over 100 shots of a very cooperative swallow to get 2 sharp images For macro photography it left a lot to be desired - since it is not really macro and I could never ne sure what part of the subject was actually in focus Any photo taken past 200mm had a very soft focus - and this is when you want it tack-sharp I tried some specific test shots and found that the lens had a very short depth of field from around 150mm-300mm, even at f8.0 and distortion was measurable - although not really noticeable in the real world I have several hunred out of focus photo's and have given up on this lens! I traded this lens for the Nikon 28-200 G f3.5-5.6 - WOW! what a lens! See my post on this site for details Having used the 28-200mm for a month I now get much better results every time I shoot with it. Because it is much sharper I can crop the image and get a sharper print than any photo I took with the 70-300mm Do yourself a favour - buy the 28-200 and save yourself a lot of wasted shots and money If you must have a 70-300, buy the Sigma If you must have a Nikon, buy the "G" version - it's cheaper and will perform at least as poorly

Strength

It fits a Nikon camera - not sure if this is a strength actually Works nicely as a paper weight

Weakness

It fits a Nikon camera - that's better! Soft focus from 150-300mm most apertures Does not always focus on what you think you have in the viewfinder Should have had a tripod mount

Summary

The reviewer below me does have a point. If the lens won't be used past 150MM, the smarter buy would be the 75-150MM F3.5 Series E lens. That lens is a beauty with resolution that is truly great. I do have the 70-300MM F4-5.6 ED and I would rate it a so-so lens. Nothing spectacular. Too bad ED glass couldn't have been out in to the 75-150MM lens...

Strength

ED glass

Weakness

Not great resolution anything past 200MM.

Summary

Having read all 85 reviews of this lens posted here I have to conclude that Nikon quality control isn't all that it should be or photographers have widely differing standards. How else do you explain the one and five star reviews. I do think that some of the reviewers are expecting too much. A compact zoom lens of this range and price is necessarily a compromise regardless of whether it is computer designed or has ED glass. If you understand the limitations of this lens and work within them then it is perfectly capable of excellent results in my experience. I reckon that around 90% of my 35mm photography is done with 35mm and 85mm prime lenses. However on occasion I need something a bit longer, in the 100 - 200mm range. That's why I bought one of these about 4 years ago. I rarely use it above 200mm and I avoid using at full aperture above 150mm. In lower light I put it on a tripod. As a result I've nearly always had sharp, contrasty results. I've had good results at 300mm when stopped down to f11 and produced very sharp close-ups with it mounted on a PN11 ext.tube and set between 135mm and 180mm. I tend to focus manually as the autofocus is ponderous.If you can work within these parameters then it's perfectly acceptable. I think the old cliche 'Horses for Courses' applies here. If you shoot wildlife and sports in the 200 - 300mm range at wide aperatures; If you are a portrait specialist who needs short telephoto focal lengths with shallow depth of field; If you like low-light candids; if accurate filter alignment is important or you need fast autofocus, then don't buy this lens. If you want a compact general purpose medium telephoto zoom and can accept certain limitations then I would recommend it.

Strength

Compact and light Sharp at all apertures up to around 150mm. Sharp at all focal lengths if stopped down sufficently. Good contrast for a lens of this type.

Weakness

Soft wide open above 180mm, particularly at 300mm. Limited use in low light. Lens barrel rotates when focussing. Slow autofocus.