AF-S 70-300mm

[lee_y]

Hi there,

 

What is the difference between Nikon AF-S VR-Zoom 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED and Nikon Nikkor AF 70-300mm

F4-5.6 f/4-5.6 G. I noticed that one is with IF-ED, what is the use of that? Sorry, but I am very new to the

photography world. the price with the IF-ED is far more expensive than the one without.

so, which one is worth it to be purcahsed? As I noticed in the camera shop, they usually sell the one without IF-ED.

 

Thank you.

[ShunCheung]

The AF-S VR version (f4.5 - 5.6) is a good mid-end prosumer zoom that has become quite popular.

The 70-300 f4-5.6 G is a very inexpensive lens with no ED element and a plastic mount.

 

As usual, you get what you pay for.

[johncrist]

The AFS VR lens is actually a very good lens optically. I also have the 80-200 2.8 AFD and the 70-300 is sharper with

better color saturation at the same settings. I have tried the cheap 70-300(the non ED) and it is not very good, autofocus

hunts alot & image quality is not really that great. The ED version I suppose would fall somewhere between the 2. Like

Shun said, you get what you pay for.

[tim_knight]

If you can not afford the 70-300VR zoom go with the 70-300EID or look at the Tamron 70-300. What do you want to shoot with this zoom? Reason I ask ,if you are thinking of using this for low light sports you will be dissappointed in all of them.

[joe_a2]

Lee.... Which camera? The 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR is the only one of the three Nikon 70-300s that will autofocus on the D40, D40x and D60 (this VR lens will work all the other digital SLRs, too). The 70-300mm f/4-5.6D AF-D lens that Tim mentioned will only autofocus on the D100, D70, D70s, D50, D80, D200, D300, and the pro bodies.

 

The 70-300VR and the 70-300 AF-D have simlar optics. The 70-300mm non-VR G has clearly inferior optics.

[alex_lofquist]

Whenever you are getting a lens focal length equal or greater than 200mm, IMO it's always worth it to get one with low dispersion glass in it for minimizing color fringing. These could be labelled as ED, AD, LD or similar, depending on the manufacturer.

[howard_houston]

I purchased the 70-300mm AF-S VR a little over a year ago to shoot motorsports. The guy at the counter told me I

was nuts and would be better off with the 80-200mm f2.8. Well I bought the 70-300mm and I couldn't be happier

with it. It's very sharp, focus time is amazing, and the VR function is quite useful in a focal length that size.

 

<a

href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v297/superbrd15/Wilson%20TT%202008/?action=view&current=beaverun014.jpg"

target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/superbrd15/Wilson%20TT%202008/beaverun014.jpg"

border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[lee_y]

I am using D80 so it's better off for me to choose The 70-300mm f/4-5.6D AF-D lens right?

Well..there many option from my friends, one of them asked me to consider 18-200mm. one of them said 16-85mm is sharper than 18-200mm. the other said how if you buy 16-85mm and 70-300mm, as the advantage of 18-200mm only for not changing the lens.

really2 confuse.

[dan_brown4]

Uhm, Howard. You might want to send that lens to Nikon for a check-up. It's inverting the images left-to-right!?!

[howard_houston]

LOL thanks for the heads up Dan. Actually that's exactly how he has his number/class magnet. I did a double take

when I saw it in person lol

[kohanmike]

Just to add more detail, ED means the lens has elements in it that help clear up weird color on edges. VR means it has a special

device in it to reduce hand tremble when you are zoomed in (150-300). AF-S means there is a motor in the lens that does the focusing. I

have the AF-S 70-300 ED VR and find it to be terrific, but if it is somewhat darker where you are shooting, moving subjects will be more

blurry. I paid $550 US from Adorama.

[stephen_fassman]

The 70-300 is sharper, with less distortion than the 18-200 @135- 200 mm. I have both. The 4+:1 zoom has less design &

image compromises than the 11:1 zoom.The 18-200 is a great walk around lens on my D200. I will not hesitate to switch to

the 18-70 (which usually resides on my D70) for its better WA performance when I need straight lines @18MM. The 70-300

is great for sports, wildlife, and anytime you need a 450 mm focal length. It does get slightly soft at this extreme (which

you will not see shooting the subjects you describe), but so does the 18-200 @ 200 mm. In shutter Mode, & Auto ISO you

don't have to worry about low light or shadows re: the slow speed of this lens.

[wpahnelas]

on a sunny day, the 70-300mm AF-S VR lens is a good walk-around lens for suburban bird-hunting -- which is how i usually use it. it's better on DX than FX. simply b/c of the extra reach, but it's not a DX lens. on a body with fast AF, it's quick to focus, and in spite of a lot criticism on it's sharpness between 200-300mm, i find it quite acceptable. would i rather use a 300mm F/4? of course... still, it did its job yesterday...<div></div>