Nikkor lenses

[edG]

When I purchased my D5000 last christmas (came with the 18-55 DX VR kit lens) I also had the opportunity to purchase the 70-300 ED VR lens as well (at as significant price reduction).

I have been so impressed with the clarity and contrast of this lens (70-300) that yesterday I traded in my kit lens for the AFS 16-85 ED VR lens ( two extra low dispersion optics and 3 aspherics ).

Shot a few tests with it and I am just as thrilled with this new lens. Just thought I would pass along my experience.

[kat]

I am trying to talk my hubby into getting the 70-300 lens..anything you got for me to use for that? :P

I would love both of these lens. I have a 18-135mm..but it's dying on me and I would love these for the range I'd get.

[JAS_Photo]

The 70-300mm is a great little lens especially since it is not too too expensive. Shhh... don't tell but I have been hanging on a Nikon Forum here is a link to a discussion
Nikkor Zooms AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR II (http://www.Nikon-Digital.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=1355)

Here is a good example of the lens used under extreme conditions...panning some geese right after they rise out of the water...
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4453020739_8ec63a9240_b.jpg

[edG]

Kat - all of the my gull and other assorted bird shots as well as my moon shot from this past winter were all taken with the 70-300. I was fortunate enough to pick mine up for $100 off since I had bought the D5000 at Black's ($479). Downtown Camera in Toronto is selling it for $490.

[Stroke]

I have seen some great deals on Kijiji and Craigslist for the 70-300mm. I managed to pick up a few things with very little use.

[Grant]

Unfortunately I have the 80 - 200 mm f 2.8 Nikkor so my first hand knowledge of this lens could be considered a bit light. That being said I did have the opportunity to test the 70 to 300 mm f4 - 5.6 ED Nikkor for the better part of two weeks. A friend of mine was having softness issues with this lens and wanted me to see what was wrong with it. After working with the lens the only problem was that it was being hand held at a shutter speed of less than 1/500 of a second.


First off it is not as sharp 80 - 200 mm f 2.8 Nikkor nor dose it deliver as nice a contrast. This is very understandable given the price difference. At it widest aperture or smallest aperture the 70 to 300 mm f4 - 5.6 ED Nikkor gives more than acceptable results. In it mid F/stop range (the sweet spot) it behaves very well. It is not as well built as its bigger brother but it makes up for that in being a whole lot lighter and easier to tot all day. While the 80 - 200 mm f 2.8 Nikkor is a much better lens I defy anyone to tell the difference from the images it produces. For practical purpose unless you do an A/B test it will be hard to tell the difference in the images. Where the big brother shines is in its ability to behave better in lower light situations. If you buy this lens do yourself a favour and also buy a good tripod.

The bottom line is given the attractive cost of this piece of glass I was very impressed with it.