Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR. Review from the reader Radozhiva

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR lens review specially for Radozhiva prepared Evgeny Ovsyannikovhere it is instagramm.

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR


Important: There are two versions of this lens - one without a stabilizer, Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED, and the second, with a stabilizer, presented in the review. There are at least 6 Nikon lenses with a focal range of 70–300 mm for full-frame and crop cameras, so it’s easy to get confused.

In short

Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR (hereinafter referred to as Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR) is an affordable modern telephoto lens with image stabilizer for Nikon DX cameras.

Since the lens uses a pulse motor (AF-P), it has limited compatibility with cameras released prior to 2013 (see Compatibility section). First of all, Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR is interesting for the possibility of using a 300 mm focal length and a good price / quality ratio.

Considering crop factor Nikon DX cameras for which this lens was designed, its EGF will be 105-450 mm, which is enough to easily shoot distant objects. With the Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR, you can shoot people from afar, wildlife, and in some cases use it as a portrait lens. The lens has a small aperture F / 4.5-6.3, but the VR stabilization system helps to avoid blur when taking pictures with your hands. The lens does not have autofocus and stabilizer switches, all settings are made through the camera menu.

Unlike its predecessors, it has an amazingly fast focusing speed (I got the impression that it is comparable to the speed AF-S 70-200 f / 4 VR), and an electronic focus ring that operates in a mode similar to the M / A mode.

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

History and differences from previous telephoto lenses for Nikon DX

Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR and its twin brother Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX (without VR) were presented 7 August 2016 year, sales began with the camera Nikon D3400, which went on sale in the fall of 2016.

The range of telephoto lenses for Nikon DX SLR cameras:

  1. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED SWM, was produced from April 2005 to 2007.
  2. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6G ED VR IF SWM, from this review, was released from March 2007 to 2015.
  3. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1: 4-5.6GII ED VR IIAvailable since January 2015.
  4. Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR SWM HRIreleased from August 2010
  5. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G EDreleased from August 2016
  6. Nikon DX AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR, in production since August 2016

Key differences from the older model Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-300mm 1: 4.5-5.6G ED VR SWM HRI:

  1. minimum focal length increased from 55 mm to 70 mm.
  2. weight decreased by 115 g
  3. focus motor has changed
  4. focus speed is much higher
  5. focus ring has become electronic
  6. appeared the function of holding focus while changing the focal length (parfocal), it is very important when shooting video
  7. appeared the function of constant manual focus control M / A
  8. lost focus mode switches and stabilizer
  9. the optical circuit has changed
  10. the new model is not compatible with cameras released before 2013
Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Main technical characteristics of Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR:

Review Instance Name Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR
Basic properties
  • DX (for Nikon DX) - Lens designed for Nikon DX APS-C cameras
  • AF-P (Auto Fear Pulse motor) - built-in focus motor
  • STM (STepping Motor) - the lens uses a stepper focusing motor (such marking is on the official website)
  • G (Gelded) - means no aperture control ring and transfer of focusing distance to the camera
  • ED (Extra low dispersion) - the use of special low-dispersion elements in the optical scheme
  • DIH (Super Iintegrated Coating) - special integrated optics super enlightenment
  • M / A (autofocus with manual override) - manual focus priority mode
  • VR (Vibration reduction ) - built-in image stabilizer of the second generation, compensates up to 3 steps.
  • RD (Rounded diaphragm) - rounded petals aperture
Front Filter Diameter 58 mm, plastic thread for filters
Focal length 70-300 mm EGF for Nikon DX cameras is 105-450 mm
Zoom ratio 4.29 x
Designed by for digital cameras Nikon DX
Number of aperture blades 7 rounded petals
Tags focal lengths for 70, 100, 135, 200, 300 mm, bayonet mount mark and hood mounts
Diaphragm
  • 70 mm: F / 4.5-F / 22
  • 100 mm: F / 4.8-F / 25
  • 135 mm: F / 4.8-F / 25
  • 200 mm: F / 5.3-F / 29
  • 300 mm: F / 6.3-F / 32

The lens is deprived of the aperture control ring, control is via the camera menu (G-type lenses)

MDF (Minimum Focus Distance) 1.1 m over the entire range of focal lengths, maximum magnification factor 0.22X (1: 4.5)
Stabilizer features Up to 4 steps excerpts at a 300mm focal length by Nikon standards (indicated on the official website)
The weight 415 g
Optical design 14 elements in 10 groups, including 1 low dispersion element (shown in yellow on the optical diagram). The presence of such elements is indicated on the housing by the abbreviation 'ED'

nikon 70-300 vr dx af-p optical circuitThe image of the optical circuit is clickable.

MTF Charts here и here.

Lens hood Nikon HB-77, bayonet type, plastic, sold separately
Transportation With a soft cover CL-1020
Manufacturer country Thailand, the inscription on the lens: "MADE IN THAILAND"
Period From August 17, 2016 to the present day. In 2019, supplemented by a mirrorless lens Nikon Nikkor Z DX 50-250 1: 4.5-6.3 VR
Instructions View–>
3D view View–>
Current prices in modern online stores

Plastic hood HB-77 is not included in the delivery set, it must be purchased separately. The hood can be worn backwards and always carried with you, while access to the focusing ring is completely closed at 70 mm focal length, to the zoom ring - partially closed. The diameter of the front filter, as for a telephoto, is small - 58 mm. The diaphragm has 7 rounded blades.

The lens is completely plastic, including the mount. Assembled with high quality, while the lens is very light - the Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR weighs about 400 grams. With this combination of focal lengths and weight, working without a stabilizer is quite problematic. When you zoom, the rear lens of the lens moves to push air through the innards of the camera.

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Focusing

In general, I was very pleased with the auto focus: it is practically silent and fast. Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR focuses thanks to a pulsed motor (Pulse motor - a pulsed stepper motor) and refers to the lens type AF-P.

Important: there is no M / A autofocus mode switch on the lens. For fully manual focusing, you need to use the camera menu, after which the focus is made by the ring in front of the lens. This ring is completely electronic, and is not mechanically connected to the lens block, that is, the rotation of the ring on the camera turned off or when disconnected, will not allow focus. This feature does not allow you to use this lens on older cameras without the support of AF-P lenses, as well as through adapters on other systems - you simply can’t focus.

Important: at 300 mm focal length, the lens has a minimum aperture of f / 6.3. The manual for some cameras indicates that autofocus is available with lenses no darker than f / 5.6, however, in reality, this lens does not interfere in any way - neither on a bright day, nor in low light conditions (the manual for this lens directly says that this section of the camera manual can be ignored). The difference between F / 5.6 and F / 6.3 is only 1/3 of the stop.

The function of manual manual focusing is available in the lens with autofocus turned on, you just need to rotate the ring - this behavior corresponds to the mode of constant manual focus control M / A and is very convenient for adjusting the focal length if the camera cannot focus independently or manual adjustment is needed.

Auto focus speed is highly dependent on the selected focal length. The focusing speed of 70 mm is very fast, I would even say instant, with an increase in the focal length, the focusing speed decreases - by 300 mm the focal length is simply fast. By far, the autofocus of this lens is the fastest among the Nikon DX telephoto lenses.

During focusing, nothing rotates or leaves, focus is completely internal. The ring is electronic, narrow and plastic, not rubberized. The progress of the electronic ring is quite difficult to evaluate, in my experience it is somewhere around 120 degrees. On the new lens, talking about backlash is not necessary, the sensitivity is at an excellent level. In general, I would rate the ability to focus manually as good, even good.

When used on a camera Nikon D5300, where an autofocus system with 39 points is used, the lens behaved well, rarely focuses incorrectly. I had no problems with focus accuracy and focus.

The minimum focusing distance is 101 cm (the distance from the camera’s matrix / focal plane to the subject). With such an MDF, the maximum magnification factor is achieved by 300 mm of the focal length and is 1: 4.5 (you can shoot a weak macro).

Other focusing features:

  1. There is no depth of field scale, focusing distance and tags for working in the infrared spectrum. Nothing at all except the focal length marks.
  2. During the tests, the focus shift (shift-focus) was not noticed.
  3. Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR has no focus problems in Live View (tested on Nikon D5300).
  4. The lens is virtually parfocal, the method of implementing focus preservation when changing the focal length is similar to the lens Canon Zoom Lens EF-S 55-250mm 1: 4-5.6 IS STM
  5. The lens does not have a hard stop (hard infinity mechanical stop) which allows you to accurately and quickly focus the lens to infinity under any external temperature conditions.
Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Compatibility

Obviously, to stimulate sales of new cameras, Nikon has taken the path of limiting the compatibility of new lenses with older cameras.

Auto focus with AF-P lenses will only work with cameras (exact list):

D5200, D5300, D5500, D5600, D3300, D3400, D3500, D7100, D7200, D7500, D500 + D4, D4s, D5D6, Df, D800, D800E, D810, D810a, D850, D750, D780, D600, D610 + Nikon z6, Nikon z6 ii, Nikon z7, Nikon z7 ii, Nikon z5, Nikon z50 with adapter FTZ

Important: some of these cameras will need to use the latest firmware.

Auto and manual focus will not work with cameras (exact list):

D700, D3, D3s, D3x, D1, D1h, D1x, D2x, D2h, D2xs, D2hs, D100, D200, D300, D300s, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D90, D7000, D40, D40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D3200, D5000, D5100 + Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 Pro, S3 Pro UVIR, S5 Pro, IS Pro + Kodak DCS PRO 14n и Kodak DCS Pro SLR / n.

On my D600 the lens worked completely, except for the inability to turn off the stabilizer (there is no such item in the menu) - while autofocus is also disabled by the lever to the right of the mount, as with AF-type lenses. However, there is an important note for cameras D810, Df, D750, D7100, D7200 и D5200: In case the auto-off timer is set, the focus settings will be reset and you need to focus again. I played around with the timer settings in full frame D600 but could not reproduce situations where re-focusing is required - perhaps this was fixed with the release of firmware with support for AF-P lenses.

The manual for the lens indicates that there is no need to turn off the stabilizer on a tripod, the lens also detects panoramic movement and turns off the stabilizer in this plane.

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Sample Photos

By issuing this lens and its younger unstabilized brother, Nikon wanted to solve the problem of resolving 24 megapixel arrays without an anti-moiré filter. Photo on Nikon D5300 with Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR are sharp and contrast, the lens loses a bit of sharpness in the range of 200-300mm on open apertures.

Distortion is almost invisible. Sample photos taken on Nikon D5300, on-camera JPEG without processing.

Also examples of photos taken on Nikon D600, on-camera JPEG without processing. A certain loss in sharpness is inherent in matrices with an anti-moiré filter. At 300 mm focal length and full aperture, vignetting is strong and uncorrectable. On aperture covered up to f / 11, vignetting is reduced, but not completely. 70 mm vignetting is also significant.

Personal impressions

Nikon AF-P 70-300 / 4.5-6.3 DX VR is a worthy lens for beginner photo enthusiasts at a very affordable price, perhaps the best option in this focal range. For those who would like to try to shoot birds in the park and neighbors in the windows, it is definitely suitable. Personally, I see no reason to buy the more expensive full-frame Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300 1: 4.5-5.6E VR and its previous versions for the new Nikon DX cameras. Also, all previous options for telephoto lenses for crop, for example Nikon DX AF-S 55-200 VR or Nikon DX AF-S 55-300 VR, can not fully reveal the sharpness of modern matrices. In the appendage, I see no reason to take the younger brother of this lens, the Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED, in any form - 300 mm without the stabilizer can only be removed on a sunny day or from a tripod.

Personally, I do not bother at all with the lack of focus mode and stabilizer switches. In the case of the first switch, I have already adapted to the settings of the camera through the camera menu, in the case of the second, I already forgot when I turned off stabilization the last time. Perhaps, I would write down only the plastic mount and the lack of dust and moisture protection as a disadvantage.

It is believed that this lens is sharper at 300 mm focal length than its unstabilized brother. I have neither confirmation nor denial of this statement. From the point of view of the production process, it is permissible that parts that do not pass quality control according to certain parameters are installed on a cheaper device (for example, Intel does with its processors - non-working transistor lines are turned off and the processor from, for example, Core i5 turns into some Celeron).

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR

An accurate list of all Nikon DX Nikkor lenses

  1. 10.5 mm/ 2.8G AF Fisheye [gold ring]
  2. 35 mm/1.8G AF-S
  3. 40 mm/2.8G AF-S Microphone
  4. 85 mm/3.5G AF-S VR Microphone
  5. 10-20 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-P VR
  6. 10-24 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
  7. 12-24 mm/4G AF-S [gold ring]
  8. 16-80 mm/ 2.8-4IN AF S VR [gold ring]
  9. 16-85 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
  10. 17-55 mm/2.8G AF-S [gold ring]
  11. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S [black / silver]
  12. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S [black / silver]
  13. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR
  14. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
  15. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P
  16. 18-55 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-P VR
  17. 18-70 mm/3.5-4.5G AF-S
  18. 18-105 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
  19. 18-135 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S
  20. 18-140 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Thailand / China]
  21. 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR [Japan / China]
  22. 18-200 mm/3.5-5.6GII AF-S VR
  23. 18-300 mm/3.5-5.6G VR
  24. 18-300 mm/3.5-6.3G VR
  25. 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S [black / silver, Japan / China]
  26. 55-200 mm/4-5.6G AF-S VR
  27. 55-200 mm/4-5.6GII ED VR
  28. 55-300 mm/4.5-5.6G AF-S VR
  29. 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P
  30. 70-300 mm/4.5-6.3G AF-P VR

Results

Nikon AF-P DX Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR is the best telephoto lens in the 70-300mm range for Nikon DX SLR cameras for beginners today.

Main advantages

  1. fast focus
  2. built-in image stabilizer
  3. light weight, small diameter of the front filter
  4. rear mount lens hood
  5. good maximum magnification ratio for macro shooting, which is 1: 4.29
  6. pulse built-in focus motor, silent and fast
  7. smooth and proportional aperture drop from 70 to 300 mm focal length
  8. good price / quality ratio, especially when this lens comes in a double-kit
  9. excellent optical performance

The main disadvantages

  1. limited compatibility with older cameras
  2. plastic mount, lack of dust and moisture protection
  3. no focus distance scale, depth of field and tags for working in the infrared spectrum
  4. rear lens movement while changing the focal length, small effect of a vacuum cleaner / air pump
  5. a drop in resolution in the range of 200-300 mm.

Review prepared Evgeny Ovsyannikov.

You will find more reviews from readers of Radozhiva here.

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Comments: 104, on the topic: Nikon AF-P DX 70-300mm 1: 4.5-6.3G ED VR. Review from the reader Radozhiva

  • worry

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