Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED: Review

Posted to Lenses 2009-07-30

Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED review:

If you looking to add a telephoto lens that packs a punch to your SLR collection, then you may want to check out the Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED. As a high powered lens that combines a 4.3x telephoto zoom with powerful image stabilization, this lens gives you the power you need to capture the perfect shot no matter where life may take you.

The Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED is designed to work with all Nikon SLR's with almost any Nikon Bayonet style mount. Due to the large amount of glass that exists in a lens of this size, this Nikon 70-300mm lens weighs about 1.6 lbs and can provide the user with a minimum aperture of f/32 and a max of f/4.5. The lens also provides the user with a high zoom ratio of 4.3x, and a minimum focus distance of 1.5 meters making it great for the avid photographer who demands quality performance from a lens that can handle a variety of different shots.

Rating:

4.2 out of 5

Features

Like other Nikon lenses, the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED provides the power and features that are sure to please any aspiring photographer. The lens is made up of 17 elements, which include two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, allowing the lens to deliver superior optical performance to the aspiring digital and film photographer. The glass that is contained in this lens helps to decrease the chromatic aberrations that can appear in your photos while delivering quality contrast and resolution performance. The lens also contains an internal focusing mechanism which allows the lens to provide fast, yet quiet, auto focusing that does not require the user to change the length of the lens. The focusing mechanism is paired with a Silent Wave Motor which gives the focusing mechanism its quiet functionality. It also gives the user the ability to quickly switch between auto and manual focus modes allowing you to keep the subject-working distance through the entire focus range so you can capture the perfect shot whenever it presents itself. Unlike other lenses on the market, the best feature of the Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED is its Vibration Reduction (VRII) functionality. This feature helps to decrease the amount of noticeable camera shake in your images. This allows the user to shoot images by hand at shutter speeds up to 4 times slower than would normally be possible with any other lens in this size range.

Performance

For those who have upgraded to a newer model Nikon DSLR but still love the performance of their older Nikon 35mm will be happy to know that this lens will work with both cameras. The 35mm equivalent for this lens is a zoom of 105-450mm, allowing users to utilize the power that this lens has to offer with their favorite camera. Just make sure you check the compatibility list that is contained in the lenses user guide because certain features, such as the vibration reduction and auto focus may not work with older 35mm SLR models.

Summary

In conclusion, if you are looking for a lens that can work with both your Nikon digital and film camera than you may want to consider the Nikon AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED lens. If you are looking for a great multi-tasking lens, then this Nikon lens may just be the one for you.

Pros

Internal Focusing Mechanism
4.3x zoom
Minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters
Weighs only 1.6 lbs
Compatible with both Nikon digital and film SLR's

Cons

There are no cons for this product