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.

Product Details

• Brand: Nikon
• Model: 2161
• Released on: 2006-10-25
• Dimensions: 3.10" h x 3.10" w x 5.60" l, 1.64 pounds

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

From the Manufacturer
The Nikon 4.3x, 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor lens is ideal for telephoto shooting opportunities. It incorporates many of Nikon's most advanced lens design attributes such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Enhanced Vibration Reduction (VR II), in a design engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras. With a high-powered 70-300mm focal length range, the lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel and portrait photography, among other telephoto applications. When used on a Nikon DX format digital SLR, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 105-450mm lens on a 35mm SLR camera.

Beyond the lens' incredible optical versatility is the benefit of Enhanced VR II Vibration Reduction--an innovation that makes it possible to take substantially sharper handheld pictures at slower shutter speeds than would otherwise be possible. This provides the distinct advantage of being able to shoot more effectively in a much broader variety of challenging conditions. With the new Nikon VR II advantage, users can take pictures at shutter speeds as many as 4 stops slower than they ordinarily could shoot without the image degrading blur associated with camera shake at slow shutter speeds. Nikon's advanced VR technology further enhances picture taking potential with a choice of two modes to match most shooting conditions. VR Normal Mode primarily compensates for camera shake, and includes automatic panning detection, as well as automatic tripod detection. VR Active Mode effectively compensates for vibration in situations where it is more pronounced and more frequent, such as when shooting from a moving vehicle.

To further ensure outstanding optical performance, the 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor features two Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass elements and three complex aspherical lens elements that provide for higher resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The lens also features Nikon's compact Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), which combines fast and precise autofocusing with super-quiet operation, as well as Internal Focusing (IF) construction that allows the lens to focus without changing its external size, improving balance and handling characteristics.

Customer Reviews

Great lens
This is an amazing lens, considering I payed only $455 for it.
Sharpness is very good throughout the range accept 300mm. VR feature comes in quite handy and helps in many situations.
All in all great product and great deal.

A solid upgrade from the 55-200mm
All in all, I am very happy with this lens.

I own a Nikon D40x, and up to now I've shot with the kit 18-55mm, the Nikon 50mm f1.8, and Nikon's 55-200mm. I've been getting more and more into nature photography, and the limits of the 55-200 were annoying me, both in terms of auto focus speed and zoom. I thought long and hard about what to do, though. The 70-300mm is an obvious choice, but I also thought I might want to put my money into Nikon's legendary 18-200mm. I figured that 300mm isn't really sufficient for nature (specifically bird) photography anyway, so maybe I should wait and save (for years, probably) until I can afford a $1k+ 2.8 telephoto.

Obviously, I eventually decided to go for the 70-300mm. I did so because reviews are generally positive and because in the field of choices, it was the only telephoto lens I could afford that really made sense. There are lenses from Tamron and Sigma that reach this focal length, but the usually lack either an internal focus motor (which I need on my D40x) or VR (which I personally need because I usually shoot without a tripod). One thing that I was also ecited about was simply owning a lens from a class above the 18-55mm and 55-200mm lenses, which the 70-300mm lens is.

The 70-300mm exceeds the 55-200mm in more ways than the obvious increase in focal length. Images are remarkably sharper and colorful through this lens. It's a subtle thing, but I'm much more often impressed by the saturation and contrast of the photos I get from the 70-300mm than I ever was with the 55-200mm (This may be in part because the 70-300mm is corrected for 35mm cameras, whereas my D40x has a sensor smaller than 35mm. Because of this, some of the outer portion of the lens, where optical problems are more common, are outside of the my camera's frame). I would be pained to go back.

Using this lens is also much more pleasurable than using the 55-200mm. The build quality feels much more solid and rugged, the focus ring is a true grip ring and not the dinky thing on the end of the 55-200mm's barrel. The lens does not creep, which is nice for me because I like to go out romping on foot with the camera strap over my shoulder. The lens stays put.

Autofocus is really fast compared to the 55-200mm. A faster lens would do better, but for the amount of light that this lens takes in, it does a stellar job. It's also quieter than the 55-200mm.

One difficulty I have had with this lens in comparison to the 55-200mm is that it is much heavier. It's not uncomfortable to walk around with, but hand held shots are a little more unsteady for me due to this extra weight. My arms will get used to it in time. :)

So, if you are looking for a solid telephoto lens that is relatively affordable but still a step up from the bargain 55-200mm lens, this is a great choice. If I had bought a Sigma or Tamron I would probably be feeling some remorse about giving up on the great build and features of this lens. If I had bought the 18-200 I'm sure I would appreciate the do-almost-anything convenience of it, but I would have spend even more money than I did on the 70-300mm for the same focal length range I already had in my two kit lenses.

One last thing to mention is the speed of this lens. It's not super fast by any means. I have to actively think about light levels and ISO in a way that I might not if I had a faster lens. But of course this is good practice anyway. I miss some shots because of low light, but this is really just a matter of how much money I can afford to spend on a lens. I wouldn't fault this one for not being a 2.8.

Ideally, I would have the 18-200mm lens and a really nice 2.8 telephoto at 400+mm, but until the day that I have that kind of money, I'm very happy with the 70-300mm.

good lens
Cool lens and i used it in my trips ,
good to capture the landscapes and portraits