Telephoto Upgrade

Nero

Senior Member
So I was thinking of upgrading my Nikon 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 lens. I've been thinking of getting the Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 IF-ED VR.

It's inexpensive, apparently has really good image quality for such a low price, and is a FX lens so if I ever get a full-frame camera this lens won't need to get replaced.

What do you guys think?

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Nero

Senior Member
Yeah, from what I can tell they haven't released a new model and frankly, I don't think they really need to.
 

hrstrat57

Senior Member
Optically, the 70-300mm VR lens is much better than the 55-300mm DX lens.



Ha ha love Moose and that video in particular....

My 70-300 AF-S VR is very good up to about 275 mm after that she disappoints a bit.....which is why she is usually in the closet loosing camera time to my Nikkor 80-200 f 2.8 AF ED which is magnificent. My 55-200 AF-S VR kit lens is super lightweight and a stellar copy so it bumps the 70-300 for walkaround ease.

If I pick up a Nikkor 300 f4 VR as planned then it goes in the sale bin....

So I say it is a good but not fantastic lens.....a lot will depend on the price. Mine was tossed in as a kit with the D700 I bought on C/L with 200 clicks....it had not been a lens I was considering.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
This is what I found in research when I bought mine.


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When I bought mine, I couldn't find much info on Nikonites about this lens so this video played a big part in my decision. And like @hrstrat57 mentioned, the lens can be a bit soft at 300mm so I tend to keep it at 280mm or less.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Are the earlier made 70-300's as good as the ones being sold now? Paul

Hopefully someone who has some experience with that lens will chime in.

On another note, after searching for a refurbished 70-300mm VR, it looks like Nikon has pulled them. After going to Nikon's site, it says the page is no longer available. I did find this refurbished model listed at B&H. Cameta doesn't have any in stock and neither does Adorama.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731073-REG/Nikon_2161B_Refurbished_AF_S_VR_Zoom_NIKKOR.html
 
Hopefully someone who has some experience with that lens will chime in.

On another note, after searching for a refurbished 70-300mm VR, it looks like Nikon has pulled them. After going to Nikon's site, it says the page is no longer available. I did find this refurbished model listed at B&H. Cameta doesn't have any in stock and neither does Adorama.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731073-REG/Nikon_2161B_Refurbished_AF_S_VR_Zoom_NIKKOR.html


I checked Cameras for Sale | Buy a Digital Camera from Cameta Camera and they are "Out of Stock" on it too.
 

Ironwood

Senior Member
Someone posted a link on here a few months ago ( Nikon Rumours maybe ? ) there is a new model in the pipeline.

Edit- just checked Nikon Rumours, it seems the new one will be DX lens.
 

captain birdseye

Senior Member
I suppose there must be variation between samples regarding sharpness as I also owned the 70-300 vrii for a few years and although I considered it a good light lens I never really found it to be lacking in sharpness esp if stopped down a little, even at 300mm,,,,,,,,,like all consumer tele-zooms it is the luck of the draw.

Ha ha love Moose and that video in particular....

My 70-300 AF-S VR is very good up to about 275 mm after that she disappoints a bit.....which is why she is usually in the closet loosing camera time to my Nikkor 80-200 f 2.8 AF ED which is magnificent. My 55-200 AF-S VR kit lens is super lightweight and a stellar copy so it bumps the 70-300 for walkaround ease.

If I pick up a Nikkor 300 f4 VR as planned then it goes in the sale bin....

So I say it is a good but not fantastic lens.....a lot will depend on the price. Mine was tossed in as a kit with the D700 I bought on C/L with 200 clicks....it had not been a lens I was considering.
 

Nero

Senior Member
Hopefully someone who has some experience with that lens will chime in.

On another note, after searching for a refurbished 70-300mm VR, it looks like Nikon has pulled them. After going to Nikon's site, it says the page is no longer available. I did find this refurbished model listed at B&H. Cameta doesn't have any in stock and neither does Adorama.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/731073-REG/Nikon_2161B_Refurbished_AF_S_VR_Zoom_NIKKOR.html
Damn. :/ Guess I'll have to get a refurbished one. Oh well, I've done it before and my used 18-105mm walkaround lens works like new.
 
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