Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28 300mm F 3 5 5 6G ED VR Review | 54 Data compared

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is praised as an excellent all-in-one "one-lens solution" for full-frame FX and 35mm cameras, offering 10.7x zoom versatility. Its primary strengths include effective Vibration Reduction (VR II) for handheld shooting, impressive macro capabilities, and, according to KenRockwell.com, the ability to replace multiple lenses with good sharpness throughout the range. Conversely, the lens exhibits notable distortion at both ends and features a variable aperture that becomes slower (f/5.6) at 300mm, requiring correction for optimal results. The review advises against using this lens on DX (crop-sensor) cameras, citing a loss of wide-angle functionality and recommending specific DX alternatives instead.

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a versatile 10.7x FX-format super-zoom lens ideal for travel, featuring robust construction with a weather-sealed mount, a zoom lock, and effective VR II stabilization. It provides excellent center sharpness, particularly at shorter focal lengths, and quick focusing via its Silent Wave Motor (SWM). Conversely, the lens requires optical compromises, exhibiting notable barrel distortion at 28mm, significant pincushioning at longer focal lengths, and vignetting, especially when shooting wide open. While center resolution is high, edge sharpness is soft, requiring stopping down to f/8 or f/11, and the 800g unit suffers from focus breathing at 300mm.

The Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a highly flexible, all-in-one super-zoom lens designed for full-frame (FX) cameras. A major benefit of this lens is its massive 10.7x focal range, which enables photographers to quickly switch from medium-wide-angle to telephoto shots without changing lenses. Its VR II stabilization system delivers exceptional performance for hand-held, low-light photography, maintaining image sharpness even at slow shutter speeds like 1/8 of a second. Furthermore, the lens features accurate autofocus tracking, a constant 18-inch minimum focusing distance across all focal lengths, a non-rotating front element that makes it easy to use polarizers, and a standard 77mm filter thread. It also includes a barrel lock switch to prevent lens creep when tilted down. Despite these strengths, the lens has several notable drawbacks. It is significantly larger and heavier than its DX predecessor, weighing nearly one kilogram (about half a pound more), which may deter photographers looking for a highly portable travel setup. Optically, it is not as sharp as Nikon's high-end Nano-coated glass or dedicated telephotos like the 70-300mm. Its autofocus speed is noticeably slower...

The Improve Photography review positions the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR AF-S lens as an exceptional all-in-one choice for travel and photowalks due to its unmatched convenience, solid sharpness, and versatile zoom range. While offering good optical performance for its class, the lens is not professional grade and exhibits significant barrel distortion at 28mm, vignetting, chromatic aberration, and a slower, sluggish autofocus system.

The Photography Life review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR identifies it as a versatile, all-in-one FX-format superzoom praised for its extensive 10.7x range and effective four-stop VR II system. Pros include solid build quality, a 77mm filter thread, and decent image quality for travel when stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8.0. Conversely, the lens is noted for being heavy and bulky, resulting in a slightly unbalanced, slow-focusing shooting experience. Key cons highlighted in the review include significant vignetting, strong chromatic aberrations in the corners, and heavy barrel distortion at 28mm, leading to a "mixed" conclusion for critical photographers.

The Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is a premium all-in-one superzoom lens designed for full-frame (FX) Nikon DSLRs, though it can also adapt to crop-sensor (DX) bodies to provide an expanded 42-450mm effective focal range. A key benefit of this lens is its highly generous zoom range paired with an effective Vibration Reduction (VR) system that delivers a 3.5-stop advantage against camera shake. It is built with high-quality optical glass, including two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and three aspherical elements, and utilizes a fast, whisper-quiet ring-type ultrasonic autofocus system that works smoothly for still photography. Additional construction highlights include a weather-sealed metal mounting plate and a practical zoom lock switch to stop the lens from extending during transport. Despite its high-end build, the lens suffers from notable drawbacks, particularly its bulky 800g weight which makes it less ideal as a lightweight travel lens. Optically, while general sharpness remains respectable, image quality is heavily criticized for severe barrel distortion at the short end, moderate pincushion distortion at mid-to-long settings, and below-average color fringing. Furthermore, its autofocus system lurches dramatically from one...

The Nikon 28-300mm f3.5-5.6 AF-S VR is a highly versatile F-mount superzoom lens designed as an all-purpose travel companion. It is praised for its massive utility, allowing photographers to shoot landscapes, portraits, and street scenes without swapping gear. On the positive side, it delivers impressive central sharpness on the shorter focal end, features effective Vibration Reduction (VR) to counter hand shake in lower light, and offers an excellent 1:3 macro reproduction ratio for close-up shooting. At a current second-hand price of around $400, it provides incredible economic value compared to newer alternatives like the Z-mount 28-400mm. However, this convenience comes with clear compromises in optical quality and hardware handling. Its primary drawbacks include a noticeable drop in sharpness that yields softer images from 200mm to 300mm, alongside visible vignetting and barrel distortion on the wide end. Mechanically, the plastic-heavy lens suffers from severe "lens creep," sliding outward on its own if not locked at 28mm. Additionally, its slow f/3.5-5.6 aperture limits night performance, and the autofocus system frequently hunts or struggles to lock onto fast, erratically moving subjects like wildlife...

The PCMag review highlights the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR as a versatile, 10.7x zoom all-in-one lens for full-frame cameras, offering built-in optical stabilization and good sharpness. Key pros include the extensive zoom range, compact design for its class, and solid performance when stopped down, making it suitable for travel, though it suffers from significant, noticeable distortion at 28mm and soft edges at maximum aperture. The lens, weighing 1.8 pounds, features a 1:3 macro magnification ratio and convenient physical switches, but compromises on edge-to-edge sharpness and demands correction for its severe barrel distortion. Additional cons include the high cost of 77mm filters and a narrow, awkwardly positioned manual focus ring, distinguishing it from professional-grade glass.

The Nikkor AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is an all-in-one superzoom lens designed for Nikon’s full-frame (FX) cameras like the D700, though it can also be used on DX-format bodies. Tested by professional photographer Mike Hagen, the lens is highlighted for its impressive 10.7x zoom range, which allows travel photographers to replace a heavy bag of lenses with a single, compact gear setup. A major standout feature is its VR II image stabilization system, which includes "Normal" and "Active" modes. This system delivers excellent low-light performance, allowing sharp, handheld photos at shutter speeds as slow as 1/8 to 1/4 of a second. While the lens offers great flexibility and sharp, publication-grade imagery, community feedback highlights several distinct drawbacks. On the positive side (pros), the lens features a highly useful barrel lock mechanism to completely prevent lens creep while walking. However, on the negative side (cons), the lens is quite heavy, weighing nearly 1 kilogram. Users also noted that the maximum telephoto reach does not behave like a true 300mm focal length due to focus breathing, and the autofocus motor can...

The Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Nikkor is a full-frame "superzoom" lens designed as an all-in-one travel companion, but it delivers highly inconsistent optical performance for its $1,000 price tag. A major drawback is its erratic sharpness, highlighted by a "sombrero" effect at 28mm and f/3.5 where the center is soft, the mid-frame sharpens up, and the far corners drop off again. The lens also suffers from notable blue-magenta chromatic aberration across all settings, strong pincushion distortion between 50mm and 105mm, and a full stop of corner vignetting when shot wide-open on full-frame cameras. Furthermore, fully stopped-down images are blurry at the 300mm telephoto end. On the positive side, the lens offers exceptional focal versatility, a robust plastic build with a metal mount, and a useful zoom lock switch at 28mm to prevent zoom creep. Its autofocus system is fast, virtually silent, and allows for manual override at any time. The image stabilization features both 2-axis normal and 4-axis active modes, and the front 77mm filter element does not rotate during operation. However, because cheaper alternatives like the Tamron...

The What Digital Camera Review highlights the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR as a highly solid and versatile "walkabout" lens that provides maximum focal flexibility within a single kit. The reviewer emphasizes its strong pros, starting with an impressive 11x ultra-wide zoom range and full-frame coverage at an attractive, budget-friendly price point. Optically, the lens stands out for producing images entirely free of chromatic aberration. Mechanically, it features a quick, quiet Internal Focusing (IF) system driven by Silent Wave Motor technology, weather sealing, and a powerful dual-mode VR-II vibration reduction system that compensates for up to four stops of light to facilitate low-light shooting. On the downside, the review details several notable cons, primarily concerning its variable aperture and extreme focal limitations. The maximum aperture steadily drops from f/3.5 to f/5.6 at the telephoto end, which limits creative control over depth-of-field. While MTF curves are generally strong, the lens shows distinct optical softness and performance drops at its extreme configurations: specifically at wide apertures at 28mm, and small apertures at 300mm. Finally, ergonomics present mild drawbacks; the manual...