Nikon AF-S VR Zoom NIKKOR 70 300mm F 4 5 5 6G IF ED Review | 54 Data compared

Ken Rockwell calls the Nikon 70-300mm VR an exceptional, affordable telephoto zoom for FX and film, highlighting its effective Vibration Reduction (VR), fast AF-S focusing, and lightweight portability. The lens is praised for offering a metal mount and sharp performance, making it a superior, lighter alternative to heavier professional zooms for handheld shooting. Conversely, the lens has a "semi-plasticy" amateur build compared to professional-grade equipment, leading Rockwell to recommend it only for users not requiring constant fast apertures. He suggests that while it is an excellent performer, serious shooters might prefer to step up to professional alternatives like the 70-200mm VR, especially for more robust construction.

The ePHOTOzine review highlights the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR as a high-performing, cost-effective telephoto lens offering sharp, center-frame images, fast AF-S autofocus, and effective Vibration Reduction. It is praised for its robust build, excellent handling, and overall value, making it a strong choice for budget-conscious photographers. Conversely, the lens shows a noticeable drop in sharpness at the 300mm end, necessitating a stop down in aperture for optimal results. Performance limitations include visible chromatic aberrations and vignetting when shooting wide open in high-contrast scenarios, along with less-than-optimal performance on high-resolution sensors compared to newer alternatives.

The review highlights several prominent advantages and disadvantages of this highly recommended lens. On the positive side, it features highly effective Vibration Reduction (VR) anti-shake technology, fast and quiet Silent Wave Motor (SWM) autofocusing, and full-frame camera compatibility. However, its drawbacks include a zoom ring that is a bit stiff to turn, and a physical design that is notably larger and heavier than entry-level options. Additionally, it costs nearly twice as much as the budget DX 55-200mm VR lens, making price a potential con for photographers operating on a strict budget.

The Nikon Nikkor AF-S 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens stands out for its robust build quality, featuring a shorter, wider inner tube that extends during zooming, a generous zoom ring, and a clear distance scale. Its optical construction consists of 17 elements in 12 groups, including two low-dispersion ED glass elements and a 9-blade circular aperture. Weighing 745 grams and utilizing 67 mm filters, the lens provides a minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters. Additionally, it comes packaged with a petal-type lens hood and a soft case. Key pros of this lens include its solid design, steady manual focus ring, and a large front element that helps limit vignetting. Furthermore, its Silent Wave Motor (SWM) delivers quiet autofocusing, and its real-world stabilization efficiency reaches a strong 3.4 EV. On the con side, its maximum variable aperture drops slightly faster than its Canon competitor, moving from f/4.5 to f/5.6 rather than starting at a brighter f/4.0. Despite Nikon's official claim of a 4 EV stabilization benefit, testing reveals it falls just short of that mark, performing closely to alternative options.

The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR AF-S is a highly capable and attractively priced telephoto zoom lens compatible with both FX and DX sensor formats. It features a solid, lightweight build comprised mostly of high-quality plastic with a metal lens mount, and it comes packaged with a lens hood and nylon case. Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Internal Focusing (IF), the lens provides fast, quiet autofocusing while keeping the physical length of the lens body unchanged. Performance highlights include a highly effective second-generation vibration reduction (VR II) system, a 9-rounded-blade aperture that delivers beautiful bokeh, and an exclusive Nano Crystal Coating that virtually eliminates flare and ghosting. Despite its excellent value, the lens shows typical consumer-grade limitations at longer focal lengths, particularly beyond 200mm where overall sharpness drops and edge sharpness decreases. The primary pros of this lens include its great image quality in JPEG files (which benefit from minimal visible distortion, low vignetting, and in-camera chromatic aberration correction), its compact size, and its powerful built-in stabilization. On the downside, the cons involve lower corner and edge...