Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras | 
| Brand: Nikon
List Price: $669.00
Buy New: $475.00
You Save: $194.00 (29%)
New (19) Refurbished (2) from $399.95
Rating:  91 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Optical Zoom: 4.3
Maximum Focal Length: 300
Minimum Focal Length: 70
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.6
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 3.1 x 3.1
MPN: 2161
Model: 2161
UPC: 018208021611
EAN: 0182080216110
ASIN: B000HJPK2C
Release Date: October 25, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 70-300mm telephoto zoom lens with f/4.5-5.6 maximum aperture for Nikon digital SLR cameras | | • | Vibration Reduction (VRII) minimizes effects of camera shake to produce sharper images | | • | 2 Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements delivers super contrast and resolution performance | | • | Internal Focus (IF) system provides fast and quiet autofocusing; 4.9-feet close focus range | | • | Measures 3.1 inches in diameter and 5.6 inches long; weighs 26.3 ounces; 5-year warranty |
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Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 86 more reviews...
 Very Nice Lens But it Has its Quirks February 24, 2007
Jeffrey Bower (Williamsport, Pennsylvania United States)
224 out of 233 found this review helpful
After exhaustive research on many lens, I finally decided to plunk down the $500+ (at the time this was written) to purchase this lens. It may not be the best on the market but it compliments my Nikon 18-70mm DX lens nicely. I was looking towards Nikon's 18-200mm DX lens, however; the price pushed me to choose this one (as it was nearly half the price and my two lens can nearly cover all the range of the one 18-200mm).
QUALITY/WEIGHT:
build quality is cheap yet sturdy... the plastic is a little chinky but cuts down on the weight. My Nikon D200 has no problem handling the lens weight, however; I have heard (unconfirmed) reports that this lens is a little heavy for the lighter cameras (D80, D70, D40, ETC). The Ring Connector is metal and has a rubber gasket on the outside so as to provide minor protection (for the lens mount) from the elements.
You also have to keep this in mind, when discussing weight, quality & price; the bulk of the price of this lens is going into the glass elements (all 17 elements of them). It gets expensive when you place that many high-quality optics into a tube. I'm really not that surprised a the price, although $400 price-range would probably be more suitable for this lens
FOCUSING/LENS ATTRIBUTES:
Focusing can be quite fast... at times. You'll find, at the Max 300mm focal range, that the lens has a pretty hard time auto-focusing in on a subject. At times it would focus pretty quick, at the 300mm range, while at others it cannot focus at all. You can get around this quirk by bringing the subject into near focus (manually) then letting the auto-focus take over; it works every time. I find this focus problem disappointing especially given the price of this lens.
The quality of the Bokeh (Out of focus areas of the photograph) is very nice and pleasing. The images are sharp, vignetting (dark areas in the corner of your photos) is hard to find and lens flare rarely a problem.
VIBRATION STABILIZATION:
All I can say is that it works... it can come in handy. It's not going to stop the image guaranteed for you; it's only meant to slow down the rate at which the camera moves (vibration from holding). You can notice the difference; with it off you'll see that the image (at say 300mm) really bouncing around; then you flick on VR. It takes a sec or two but then the image smooths out, it still wobbles around, but much more slowly.
With VR enabled, you can usually go 2-3 (sometimes 4) stops down, then what you'd normally be able to do when hand holding.
THE "SHOCK" TEST:
I haven't "shock tested" my lens yet (IE dropped it) but I have heard (again unconfirmed reports here) that it holds up pretty well to a drop... although I would never recommend testing that out.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The 70-300mm range should be noted: Although the lens states that it is a 70-300mm zoom, this lens was intended for a 35mm camera or full-frame CCD/CMOS sensor Digital Camera. All (or at least the majority) of Nikon's DSLR (D200, D80, ETC) are NOT Full-Frame sensors. They are approximately 1.5x factor of a full-frame sensor (due to the smaller sensor size).
What does this all mean?
Well it's simple, since this is a 35mm lens and not a DX lens (ie built to account for the 1.5x factor in most nikon digitals) you have to apply the 1.5x conversion. This means that the Nikon 70-300mm on a Nikon DSLR will give an apparent zoom equivalent to a 105-450mm lens. I actually do not mind this apparent zoom and this should also cut down on vignetting; as what the lens projects onto the sensor is larger then the area of the sensor itself. In short: parts of the image spills over the sensor, since this lens was meant to project onto a full-frame sensor/35mm film.
CONCLUSION:
Pros:
Pleasing Bokeh
Fast Auto-Focus (when working properly)
Vignetting is minimal
Image Stabilization (VR)
Flare is minimal
1.5x factor (105-450mm) makes for nice zoom
Colors are very good
CONS:
Plastic Casing
Near Inability to Auto-Focus at 300mm range
Price (even though it is cheaper then the 18-200mm DX)
1.5x factor (105-450mm) might make it more zoom then you need
Lens could be faster (F/4 would have been nice)
I love this lens, even for it's quirks, however; you may want to wait till it drops in price a little more (it falls almost bi-weekly). It may not be the fastest on the market, but it's size, optics, image quality and VR make this a must have lens for Serious Nikon users!
Great Vibration Reduction superzoom -- nice clear photos December 13, 2006
RonAnnArbor (Ann Arbor, MI United States)
92 out of 97 found this review helpful
At long last!!! After a 6 month wait, the lens is finally out! I got mine two days ago and have played with it quite a bit. The photos are clear, the vibration reduction amazing -- I have never been able to take handheld non-blurry photos with any 300 focal length consumer lens -- and this lens has changed that -- VR works across the board. It focuses as close as about 5 feet, and infinity at the longer end. The downside -- well, this is a HUGE lens -- big, heavy, and wide so it takes up a lot of room in your bag. Second, it has difficulty autofocusing in lowlight situations -- even with ISO cranked up on my D200. This is easily resolved by switching to manual focus and not using autofocus.
The makeup of the lens is virtually identical to that of the 18-200VR lens -- three switches for MA/M, VR on/off, and VR normal or active. Large outer ring for zoom, and smaller ring for focus. That's it. Comes with a nice instruction book rather than just the fold-out specs sheet so that new users can quickly and easily learn how to use the VR technology on the lens (and when NOT to use it). Also has a lens hood and a softcase in the box.
This lens will not produce the professional caliber shots you get with Nikon's pro lenses in the 300 and 400 focal lengths -- but for day to day users, soccer moms, hockey dads, and other general consumers, you will be surprised at the huge difference that the VR technology makes in your longer focal distance photos.
Highly recommended.
 Lens Rocks! Discard the poor reviews due to shipping etc. December 22, 2006
Tom Cat (Atlanta, GA)
65 out of 68 found this review helpful
I am very impressed with this lens. It is wonderfully sharp. The auto focus can hunt slightly in dimmer conditions but you would probably expect this with a 4.5 lense. Don't let this stop you at all. I would by it all over again for sure. By the way, I bought mine from ritz camera (.com) on Sunday and delivered on Thurs. (I paid $504 due to the $25 off for using paypal plus free shipping and no tax). Many photos are better than my 18-200mm VR lens. I'm so glad I bought this as the extra reach is going to help me out on the softball field where my 200mm was just short. One other thing I noticed was it is slightly noisier than my 18-200mm VR (but not terribly much more). It is enough to notice, but no show stopper. Your going to love the photos you get from this. I'm thrilled to have it and now be in the 300mm range. What a keeper. I plan to keep both my 18-200 and my 70-300. Mine comes with a 5 year warranty directly from Nikon.
Best lens in its category February 11, 2007
Kyle D. Gendron (Burlington, MA United States)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
I got this lens to replace my older Quantaray 70-300mm. I got tired to losing a lot of images to camera shake at the 300mm end. Plus the lens I had was old (almost 10 years) and optically it wasn't that great.
The Nikkor 70-300mm w/VRII is perfect for me. I love the way the VR works. I've been able to get useable images taken at the 300mm end with a 1/6th shutter. Very impressive. No more camera shake issues at the long end. I'm also very impressed with how sharp it is (it is sharper than my 18-70mm) and also the focus is fast and quiet. It is on the big side, but not to much larger than any other 70-300mm lens. I'm very happy with the performance of this lens. I find the addition of the VR to be very much worth it.
Granted its not a fast lens and I never intended it to take the place of or performe like an f/2.8 lens. Its not fair to compare it to any f/2.8 lens. Comparing to the previous 2 Nikkor 70-300mm models or any of the 3rd party 70-300mm's, this newest Nikkor addition is the best. For the average amerture hobbiest this is a great lens to compliment any of the kit lenses.
WOW - CRISP Photos - with and withOUT VR on December 17, 2006
Wendy H. (Texas)
29 out of 33 found this review helpful
I just got the lens yesterday - and I am blown away. It is my first VR and I had to get used to the noise that it makes when VR is engaged. It's a very minimal amount, it's just more than normal AF noise. Anyway, I took some photos with my D80 with and without using the flash (SB-800) and the photos were so crisp! I also tried taking some photos while panning (my daughter walking fast) with the VR on and they were perfect!
Some people say the lens is large. Well, really its not -- at least compared to "big glass" lenses in the thousand dollar range. It is quite a bit bigger than my 18-135mm, but I expected that since it is a 300mm.
If anyone is on the fence about this lens, it is worth EVERY penny. But grab one now before the price goes up. The 18-200mm VR is impossible to find, but when you do, it is over $200 more than it should be. I have a feeling once people see how good this lens is, it will disappear and when you can ever find it again, it will be a higher price as well! Buy it now and ENJOY!!
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