Nikon 70-300mm AFPf/4.5-6.3 DX ED (NO VR!)Top Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 DX AF-P (58mm filters, 14.1 oz./400g, 3.7'/1.1m close-focus, about $347) bigger. I got mine at Adorama, who also offers it in kits with free goodies. I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally-approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
December 2016 Nikon Reviews Nikon Lenses All Reviews Same lens with Vibration Reduction: 70-300mm DX AF-P VR.
Sample ImagesTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations Palms, La Quinta, California, 12 December 2016. Nikon D3300, 70-300mm AFP at 110mm, f/5.6 at 1/500 at ISO 100. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer.
IntroductionTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations
The Nikon 70-300mm DX AF-P is a lightweight plastic long telephoto lens for basic DX cameras. It's ultra sharp, and super-fast focussing — the fastest focussing of any DX telephoto, along with the otherwise identical VR version. The new AF-P system only works on the newest cameras, and it also allows for instant manual-focus override by grabbing the front focus ring at any time. This version has no Vibration Reduction (VR) system and sells for $50 less than the otherwise identical VR version. I wouldn't buy this non-VR lens unless I only shot it on a tripod. I'd spend the extra $50 for the 70-300mm VR version so that I can shoot handheld. The problem is that the extreme magnification at 300mm greatly amplifies any camera or lens shake, and the extreme light weight of this lens also does nothing to help damp it. Therefore while the VR version always produces ultra sharp shots hand-held, I usually get blurry shots at 300mm with this non-VR lens hand-held, even at 1/500 of a second — and I'm very good at hand-holding.
FormatThis lens is for DX cameras. While it will work on full-frame cameras, it uses less than half the area of their sensor and therefore is generally a waste of time.
New● AF-P autofocus stepper motor for fast, silent focus. ● Instant manual-focus override.
Good● Sharp. ● Light. ● Small. ● Inexpensive. ● Fast and silent autofocusing. ● Super-close focussing to 3.7'/1.1 meters.
Bad● Plastic lens mount ● Widest setting is 70mm; most people will love the wider setting of the 55-300mm lens.
Missing● No Vibration Reduction making hand-held shooting iffy at best. You'll need a tripod for super-sharp shots at 300mm. ● No AF/MF switch; you now do that in your camera's menu system — but the instant manual-focus override makes this switch much less necessary.
CompatibilityTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations It has a traditional mechanical diaphragm actuator, not an E diaphragm, so its diaphragm works on all Nikons. It works great on my D3300, D500 and D810. Nikon says forget it on any of the D1, D2, D3 or D4 series, the D800, D700, D610, D600, D300 series, D200, D100, D90, D80, D70 series, D60, D50, D40 series, D7000, D5100, D5000, D3200, D3100 or D3000. It also won't work on any 35mm camera. Nikon cautions that you need to have the latest firmware installed for it to work on the D5500, D5300 or D3300. The problem is that the new AF-P autofocus motor system only works on camera models originally introduced since about 2013. If your camera is too old, the focus system, even in manual mode, won't work at all, making the lens completely useless with no workaround.
SpecificationsTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations
NameNikon calls this the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED: AF-P: Stepper autofocus motor for quiet and fast autofocus. DX: Only works on DX cameras; won't work well on film or FX cameras. NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses. G: Gelded for cost-reduction and removing compatibility with older cameras. ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.
OpticsNikon 70-300mm DX AF-P internal construction. ED glass. bigger. 14 elements in 10 groups. One extra low dispersion element. No aspherical elements.
DiaphragmFront, Nikon 70-300 AF-P at 300mm. bigger. 7 rounded blades. Stops down to f/22-32.
Focal length 70~300mm. When used a DX camera, it sees the same angle of view as a 105~450mm lens sees when used on a 35mm or FX full-frame camera. See also Crop Factor.
Angle of view 5.3° ~ 22.8º
AutofocusSilent stepper motor, super-fast. If you're in a silent environment and hold your ear to the lens, you will hear a slight hum as it focuses. Internal focus. No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.
Close Focus3.7 feet (1.1 meters).
Maximum Reproduction Ratio1:4.5 (0.22 x).
Filters58mm filter thread.
Size2.83" maximum diameter x 4.92" extension from flange. 72 mm maximum diameter x 125 mm extension from flange.
Weight Measured 14.118 oz. (400.2 g). Rated 14.1 oz (400 g).
Announced17 August 2016.
Promised forEarly September 2016.
IncludedLens. Good LC-58 58 mm snap-on front cap. Translucent rear cap, This is a cheap flexible "transit" cap, not the usually hard black bayonet rear cap. No hood and no case.
Nikon's Model Number20061.
Warranty5 years, USA. Actually it has a 1 year warranty and a "4 year extended service plan."
Price, USA$347, August~December 2016.
Optional AccessoriesTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations
The HB-77 hood ($29) is optional. I never bother with hoods. The CL-1020 sack ($15) is also optional; I never use those either.
Getting a Legal USA Version(for USA only) Top Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations In the USA, be sure your box has a round "5 Years" sticker on it: Box, Nikon 70-300 AF-P. bigger. and that you have a USA warranty card in the box, usually packed with the folded instruction sheet: USA Warranty card. bigger. The serial number on the card much match the serial number on your lens, or it's worthless. The serial number on the box should match, too. If the numbers don't match or you didn't get any USA warranty card, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the USA, and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it! If a gray market version saves you $150 it may be worth it, but for $50 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support. Always be sure to check your box while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed. Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.
PerformanceTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations
Overall Autofocus Breathing Bokeh Distortion Ergonomics Eyeblow Falloff Filters Flare & Ghosts Lateral Color Fringes
OverallIt's ultra sharp, even wide-open, and focuses super fast. This lens is ultrasharp, but don't expect ultrasharp photos at the long end of the zoom range unless you're on a tripod or shooting at well over 1/1,000 handheld. The VR version is way better for handheld shooting.
AutofocusAutofocus is fast! It's the fastest-focussing DX telephoto ever, along with the VR version.
Manual FocusJust grab the focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override. It's electronic; the ring instructs the camera's computer to drive the lens in and out to focus. The ring is not connected to anything else. Manual focus only works when the camera is awake. Manual focus doesn't work after about a minute of not pressing the shutter button and your camera goes to sleep.
Focus BreathingFocus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth. The image from the 70-300 gets smaller as focussed more closely.
BokehBokeh, the feel or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is neutral. Blur circles are just circles, which isn't particularly good or bad bokeh. Since this lens has long focal lengths, it can easily make backgrounds way out of focus. For the best effects, shoot at 300mm and get as close as possible. Here are some samples at head shot distance: Davis 6250 weather station, 18 December 2016. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolutions images properly).
Davis 6250 weather station, 18 December 2016. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolutions images properly). Notice also how crazy-sharp are the sections that are in focus, and this is shot wide-open! This is excellent performance.
DistortionThe Nikon 70-300 AFP has no visible distortion at the short end, and mild to moderate pincushion distortion in the middle and long end of its zoom range. All the cameras on which it focuses properly are new enough to be set to correct this distortion automatically — so long as you have the newest firmware in your camera. If not, it's easy to correct completely with Photoshop's lens distortion filter using these coefficients:
© 2016 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics are easy: most of the lens is one big zoom ring. The zoom feels like dry plastic and takes two fingers to turn. There is no creep or drift. Focus is wonderful, one fingertip can move the front focus ring and manual focus feel is great.
EyeblowThe 70-300mm has some eyeblow; some air pumps in or out of the back of the lens as zoomed.
FalloffAs you can see at the wide-open shots at Sharpness, there's no problem with falloff. Corners never get dark when shot on DX cameras.
Filters, use withThere's no need for thin filters. Any thick or stacked filters work fine with no vignetting; 58mm is a very generous filter size for this lens. Go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters; no worries here.
Flare & GhostsI didn't spend much time shooting into the sun, but from what I did I see no ghosts worth worrying about. This isn't 1963; today these lenses are pretty much free from flare and ghosts.
Lateral Color FringesThere are no color fringes, which by default are corrected automatically on the Nikon cameras which work with this lens.
MacroMacro gets respectably close: Kienzle Flieger Automat 800/2843, 12 December 2016. Nikon D3300, 300mm at f/6.3 at 1/500 at Auto ISO 180. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolution images properly).
1,200 x 900 pixel crop from above. bigger or camera-original © file to explore on your computer (mobile devices rarely display full resolution images properly). If this crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, then the complete image printed at this same extreme magnification would be about 40 x 60" (1 x 1.5 meters). In this case, you're seeing the texture of the silver paint and dust on the watch face. See the slight vertical smearing? That's blur caused by handheld camera motion not corrected by a VR system. If you look this close, most of your shots at the long end will be like this. This is why I prefer the VR version.
Mechanical QualityRear, Nikon 70-300 AF-P. bigger. It's all plastic, a discount lens. The glass is glass and the contacts are metal and otherwise it's all plastic.
Front BumperNone.
Filter ThreadsPlastic.
Hood Bayonet MountPlastic.
Gold ED BandNone.
Front BarrelPlastic.
Focus RingPlastic.
Zoom RingRubber-covered plastic.
Rear BarrelPlastic.
IdentityMetal-look sticker around rear barrel.
InternalsPlastic.
Moisture Seal at MountNo.
MountPlastic.
MarkingsPaint.
Serial NumberSticker glued into a recess on the bottom of the barrel.
Date CodeNone found.
Noises When ShakenAlmost none!
Made inThailand.
SharpnessSharpness is superb. The only limitations will be your skill as a photographer and the fact that you'll need a tripod at 300mm. I'm a great handheld shooter, and even at 1/500 at 300mm I get slightly blurry results with this ultralight lens. Nikon's MTF curves agree with what I see:
SunstarsIts rounded blades don't give much of anything in the way of sunstars. Forget about it.
Vibration ReductionThere is NO vibration reduction, and a lens this long and this light desperately needs it for handheld shooting at 300mm. Unless you plan to marry this to a tripod, please get the VR version instead.
ComparedTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations The 55-300mm VR DX sells for the same price. It's an older lens that zooms wider, focuses about as close for macro, but focuses much more slowly.
RecommendationsTop Sample Images Intro Compatibility Specifications Accessories USA Version Performance Compared Recommendations
Please forget this lens and get the otherwise identical VR version for $50 extra. This lens is only really suited for tripod shooting; its light weight, long zoom and lack of a VR system make handholding impractical. The very best protective filter is the Hoya multicoated HD3 58mm UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints, and is also multicoated. For less money, the B+W 58mm 010 is an excellent filter, as are the multicoated version and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best. Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt. I got mine at Adorama, who also offers it in kits with free goodies. I'd also get it at Amazon, at B&H or at Crutchfield. This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, store demo or used camera. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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17 December 2016