Which 70-300mm for D5300?

Y

Yoram

New member
Hello all,
I am new to the forum so please bear with me as I fumble my way here...

I've had my trusty D5300 with the ubiquitous AF-S 18-140mm lens for more than a decade.
I am an occasional photographer, coming into and out of the hobby in spurts, so cannot justify high end gear...
With that in mind, we are planning a major safari trip next summer and I decided to get a 70-300mm lens for the wildlife scenes.
The reason for this spec range is that I believe it offers a good trade-off between useful optical range for that purpose vs. mobile handling without tripod and lugging about.
There are 3 NIKKOR lenses with this range. All are supposed to be fully compatible with the D5300 (subject to crop on FX models). I welcome of course any insights regarding compatibility. Prices are Nikon USA MSRP:
- AF-S f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR (FX), $500
- AF-P f/4.5-5.6E (IF) ED VR (FX), $600
- AF-P DX f/4.5-6.3G ED VR, $400

Which lens would you recommend and why? My topmost priority is image quality.
Sub-question in case of FX recommendation: What exactly is involved in using an FX lens on a DX body?

Thanks a bunch and cheers,

-Yoram
 
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Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
My daughter has the 70-300 DX (non VR) and I got her the AF-P f4.5-f6.3 ED VR as an upgrade to vibration reduction. We both felt that the image quality of the upgrade was definitely better, as well as the build quality.

Ken Rockwell specifically mentions that the E version has advantages over the older G model.

Ken Rockwell AF-P 70-300 F4.5-F5.6E VR FX


Here's the review of the DX version you mentioned. He rates it as very good performer, however, everything except the glass and contacts are plastic. Even the mounting bayonet is plastic.

AF-P Ken Rockwell 70-300 VR DX

The other thing to consider is whether or not you are likely to "upgrade" to a full frame body in the future. FX lenses normally work fine on crop frame (DX) bodies, but a DX on a full frame body only uses about half of the sensor. That means that a 24 MP body will only give you around 12MP when using a DX lens.

Another consideration is to buy used. Right now MPB has the Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR in "like new" condition for $399, and the AF-P DX 70-300 f/4.5-6.3G ED VR in "like new" condition for $279.

A lot depends on how much use and possibly abuse you plan on giving this lens. The other consideration is whether you think you will stick with the current camera body you have, or one similar to it, versus moving into either full frame, and or mirrorless in the future. The other consideration is you wallet.
 
Y

Yoram

New member
Clovishound said:
My daughter has the 70-300 DX (non VR) and I got her the AF-P f4.5-f6.3 ED VR as an upgrade to vibration reduction. We both felt that the image quality of the upgrade was definitely better, as well as the build quality.

Ken Rockwell specifically mentions that the E version has advantages over the older G model.

Ken Rockwell AF-P 70-300 F4.5-F5.6E VR FX


Here's the review of the DX version you mentioned. He rates it as very good performer, however, everything except the glass and contacts are plastic. Even the mounting bayonet is plastic.

AF-P Ken Rockwell 70-300 VR DX

The other thing to consider is whether or not you are likely to "upgrade" to a full frame body in the future. FX lenses normally work fine on crop frame (DX) bodies, but a DX on a full frame body only uses about half of the sensor. That means that a 24 MP body will only give you around 12MP when using a DX lens.

Another consideration is to buy used. Right now MPB has the Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR in "like new" condition for $399, and the AF-P DX 70-300 f/4.5-6.3G ED VR in "like new" condition for $279.

A lot depends on how much use and possibly abuse you plan on giving this lens. The other consideration is whether you think you will stick with the current camera body you have, or one similar to it, versus moving into either full frame, and or mirrorless in the future. The other consideration is you wallet.
Click to expand...
Many thanks to you too, @Clovishound for great info!

Interesting that Ken Rockwell did not seem to find the DX inferior in terms of optics or build quality.

I am not planning to upgrade to an FX body, but I am taken aback a bit by the plastic bayonet...

Can you explain what is behind the E vs. G designation right after the f/stop numbers? (The AF-P FX is E, while the other two are G)
Thanks again!
 
nikonbill

nikonbill

Senior Member
Contributor
Yoram,

In addition to the advice you have received above: The "E" is for electromagnetic aperture control where the lens does not rely on a mechanical arm to change the aperture. This "could be" important if used on a super high frame rate body (much higher than your D5300). I have "G" DX lens I use with the FTZII adapter on a Z50 and have not had any issues at its 10 frames per second, some new bodies are way higher on the FX side.

Another thing to add is the weight of the lens (if that matters to you) from your listing there is 9 ozs between the FX and DX lens (DX lighter) this would make a large difference at the end of long day out.

Hope this helps
 
Y

Yoram

New member
nikonbill said:
Yoram,

In addition to the advice you have received above: The "E" is for electromagnetic aperture control where the lens does not rely on a mechanical arm to change the aperture. This "could be" important if used on a super high frame rate body (much higher than your D5300). I have "G" DX lens I use with the FTZII adapter on a Z50 and have not had any issues at its 10 frames per second, some new bodies are way higher on the FX side.

Another thing to add is the weight of the lens (if that matters to you) from your listing there is 9 ozs between the FX and DX lens (DX lighter) this would make a large difference at the end of long day out.

Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Bill, yes, it certainly does! Thanks!

So, with E standing for electromagnetic aperture, does G stand for mechanical aperture or something else?

And yes, weight may be a consideration. Build quality, durability and optical performance would take precedence, but sounds like there is not much difference there (other than the bayonet mount), huh.

... and what about the AF-S FX model? Nikon states it has VR II, so it cannot be very old. It is also even heavier than the AF-P FX (745 vs 680g), so does this mean it is more metal and less plastic, better optics, or is the old wave autofocus system heavier than the newer pulse motor?

Thanks again!

-Yoram
 
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nikonbill

nikonbill

Senior Member
Contributor
Yoram,

A quick web search turns up the following on Nikon lens:

1737915676483.png

1737915755559.png


Research the build -- weight can be several things such as but not limited too, more "glass elements", larger physical size......
 
Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
Here is a listing of Nikon's lens designations:

Nikon lens abreviations

I am not planning to upgrade to an FX body, but I am taken aback a bit by the plastic bayonet...
Click to expand...

This type lens is amazingly good for the money, but they are not heavy duty. Many aspects of their design and manufacture were driven by saving weight and money. Several of my daughter's DX lenses sport plastic bayonets. All have held up surprisingly well. Having said that, I would be more leery of this with a longer, heavier lens such as the 70-300. If you plan on using it a lot, for many years, and perhaps subject it to some abuse, I would recommend the AF-P FX lens. It's not just the bayonet, the rest of the lens appears to be more robustly made.
 
Y

Yoram

New member
Clovishound said:
Here is a listing of Nikon's lens designations:

Nikon lens abreviations



......Having said that, I would be more leery of this with a longer, heavier lens such as the 70-300. If you plan on using it a lot, for many years, and perhaps subject it to some abuse, I would recommend the AF-P FX lens. It's not just the bayonet, the rest of the lens appears to be more robustly made.
Click to expand...
My intuition points in the same direction. Thanks, Bill!
 
Y

Yoram

New member
Thanks for everyone's guidance! One last one (I hope): Between the two FX lenses, what about the AF-S model vs. the AF-P one? (Nikon still lists it on their website as current)
 
Dawg Pics

Dawg Pics

Senior Member
The little bit I have read suggests the AF-P has a faster and quieter AF and is weather sealed, all of which are good things if you are out shooting wildlife.
 
nikonbill

nikonbill

Senior Member
Contributor
Yoram said:
Could and should have searched by myself.
Click to expand...
Yoram,

I was not trying to be the search police, only encouraging guidance was meant (I fear I came across poorly, sorry if I did). Your questions are fine, hopefully they generate a user that has tried both AF versions on a similar body to yours. All of my F mount lens I own are "S" series. Everything I have viewed mirror Dawg Pics comments above in regard to the "P" series.

Check Nikon's site (link below) for the lens compatibility when you near your final decision

 
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Clovishound

Clovishound

Senior Member
Yoram said:
Thanks for everyone's guidance! One last one (I hope): Between the two FX lenses, what about the AF-S model vs. the AF-P one? (Nikon still lists it on their website as current)
Click to expand...

If you look to the first Ken Rockwell link I posted, just past the introduction is a brief description of the differences between the two. The AF-P (E) is the latest of the two and has several advantages over the older AF-S (G) model.

The designations of AF-S and AF-P is the S is silent wave auto focus motor, and the P is the newer stepper motor auto focus.
 
Y

Yoram

New member
Clovishound said:
If you look to the first Ken Rockwell link I posted, just past the introduction is a brief description of the differences between the two. The AF-P (E) is the latest of the two and has several advantages over the older AF-S (G) model.

The designations of AF-S and AF-P is the S is silent wave auto focus motor, and the P is the newer stepper motor auto focus.
Click to expand...
Thanks, @Clovishound ! Yes, I have read Ken's review and was loosely aware of the distinction between the S and P autofocus drive methods.
I did not find in it a definitive verdict regarding the AF-S. I was just wondering about other aspects such as optics, build quality, compatibility and value, since my D5300 dates back to the days of AF-S.
 
nikonpup

nikonpup

Senior Member
MAJOR SAFARI? AFRICA? IF AFRICA I WOULD RETHINK THE LENS CHOSE. LONGER.
I WOULD RENT A LENS BEFORE BUYING TO MAKE SURE I SPENT MY $$$$ WISELY.
IF YOU DO NOT LIKE A TRIPOD GET A MOPOD.
 
Y

Yoram

New member
nikonpup said:
MAJOR SAFARI? AFRICA? IF AFRICA I WOULD RETHINK THE LENS CHOSE. LONGER.
I WOULD RENT A LENS BEFORE BUYING TO MAKE SURE I SPENT MY $$$$ WISELY.
IF YOU DO NOT LIKE A TRIPOD GET A MOPOD.
Click to expand...
Thank you. Yes, will definitely take a mopod.
As for the lens, it is a trade-off. I am a casual, not a hardcore photographer. Our trip is not about photography. It is about the real time experience. Photography for us is secondary and should not get in the way of our natural experience. So I don't want to be schlepping around big and heavy gear and futzing with it too much at the expense of living the moment.
I guess to each his/her/their own...
 
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