Price Focal length Image quality

Slow Auto Focus

I have so far been pleased with the quality of images i get with this lens. High contrast sharp images even at 300mm. You cant beat this lens at this price.

Customer Service

None needed

Lightweight, very very affordable, sharp

No aperture ring, front thread rotates while focusing making difficult the use of polarizers and other rotating filters

This year I switched to Nikon AF from Olympus gear and after reading many positive reviews, I included this lens in my wish list, futhermore I couldn't resist to buy it when I listened to the price. I'm glad I was not wrong. This is a very high quality lightweight lens, very easy to operate that produces sharp images. It's not difficult to shoot at 1/60 and 300 mm and get a sharp image without the need of a tripod. I have done a lot of portraits with wonderful results, also sports pictures and many more. Best of all is that this lens has the same diameter of my Nikkor 28-100G and I can share the same filters between them. I think you'll get so much lens for few money

Similar Products Used:

Carl Zeiss 70-210

Huge zoom range Excellent picture quality Size Price!!!!!!!

No macro, 5 foot minimum focal distance low light capablity, expected at this price

After purchasing a Nikon N65 kit, I knew we would want a longer lens than the 28-80 included. I was overwhelmed with the options available, but with the price of this Nikon lens, I had to try it. We have only shot about 6 rolls of film with it, but the quality is outstanding. It certainly has a lot of limitations, but for an amateur looking to add an affordable, versatile telephoto to their Nikon AF, I don't think you can go wrong with this lens.

Customer Service

not needed

See my previous review.

See my previous review.

I posted a review on this lens below and now have an updtae I would like to add. My review below praised the 70-300G. I now have an even more satisfied feeling after getting images back shot using an SB-50DX at 250mm to 300mm HANDHELD! Ok, I propped my elbows on the back of a sofa and shot a few up-close face shots. Subjects were 8 to 10 ft away. Unbelieveable. Sharp Sharp Sharp images. I can see the fine facial hair (not moustache or beard) on the subject's upper cheeck bones! Did I mention that I got sharp images? Nikon is not going to like this but once again, I am so glad I did not spend the extra money to get the ED version. This lens is excellent, just know that it's best when use in bright conditions or with flash indoors. Another 5 star rating from me.

Sharp when there is lots light (f/8-f16) Low cost Comes with lens hood

Plastic all around (but who cares unless you want metal for urability) Need lots of light since it cannot go down to f/2.8

If you are on a tight budget and want to venture into the world beyond 100mm, then definitely give the 70-300G a try. After 3 months of shooting with it, I have been able to produce some very sharp images. Actually, on my first shoot, I was even able to see pollen on a flower pedal!!! This lens is low cost because it does not have an perture ring (I never use the aperture ring, I use the Dial on my camera to adjust aperture so this is not a negative for me. Yes this lens is plastic and yes it does not have ED glass but given the price, I am very very happy with the results. Very sharp when there is lots of light. Check out this link for some pics from another thread: http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID6/1233.html#8 This lens only goes down to f5.6 which mean you need decent light for it to be sharp. Outdoors in braod daylight, I get very sharp pics! Indoors with flash, I get decent pics as well. Overall, I am a very happy owner of the 70-300G lens. I am glad I did not purchase the mroe expensive 70-300D-ED lens from Nikkor. Just know it's limitations and this G lens will be great! Bowmah

size and price

sharpness

I bought the G lens to replace two heavier zoom lenses: Nikon 80-200 f4.5 AIS and Nikon 70-210 f4 AF. Thus, I wasn’t interested in finding out whether the G lens is a good lens for its price, but which one of the three is better. I shot a roll of Kodak Ektachrome E200 at 100mm f5.6. I numbered each slide and then shuffled them to see if I can rate them based on sharpness and color using a 5x loupe. The result is very clear: The 80-200 mm f4.5 is clearly the sharpest and it produces warm and rich color. The 70-210 came in a close second in sharpness and its color is on the natural/cool side. The G lens is the least sharp of the three especially at the corners and the color it produces is closer to that the 70-210..

Similar Products Used:

Nikon 80-200 f4.5 & 70-210 f4.

Lightweight Affordability Nikon optics Fast AF (on Nikon F5 and F100)

Plastic mount (depends on lens use) Results with flash may not be as good if camera body has flash sync lower than 1/250s

This lens is indeed a surprise from Nikon. Though I must admit I bought it due to its affordability vs. the ED version, my own tests showed that the G version is capable of producing great images when used within its limits. From my initial impressions, it is good especially for handholding at up to 135mm, where its max aperture would be around f/4.5; longer than that would need support via a tripod or very steady hands! For events, it is a much handier alternative to the 80-200 f/2.8, and would make it easier to carry on a second AF body. Overall, it is a joy to hold and use, doesn't look as "cheap" as some perceive it to be, and performs way above average, producing colorful and sharp photos. The minimum shooting distance of 5 ft will enable you to keep some distance from your subject and be less intrusive when capturing candid moments (assuming you have space to spare). I just used it at a party and can't wait to bring it to a wedding as a compliment to my 18-35. But do remember to handle it with a little more care since the lens mount is only plastic (which I must say looks more durable than that used by Sigma). And when used with flash, better if your body can synch up to 1/250, since you might unconsciously be using the lens up to its max focal length of 300mm.

Customer Service

Not needed yet. But I hear it sucks from where I am.

Similar Products Used:

Sigma 70-300 (heavy, slow AF)

Unbelievable performance for the price

Can only be used with the newer AF models because it lacks an aperture ring Small aperture shooting Slow autofocus

This lens represents an unbelievable value. I use this lens when I don''''t want to worry about misplacing or destroying an expensive lens. In addition to photographing sports,people and nature. I participate in many outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking, and mountainbiking. I take this lens along stuffed in a Tamrac padded lens case stuffed in a backpack, and have used it to capture some incredible pictures of my family in action. If I slip and drop it or fall on it, I won''''t be as upset as if it were my 300 2.8. For commisioned work or work that I want to be my very best I will use my 80-200 AFS or 300 2.8. However, I have taken some fabulous portraits with this lens because for one it really is a good lens and secondly,I just happened to have it stuffed in my backpack, and I wouldn''''t treat my expensive lens with such disrespect. Recently I used this lens to capture shots which I am selling for twice what I paid for this lens. And only because it happened to be in my backpack. Given its weight,performance,price ratio. I recommend everyone with a late model Nikon AF camera from the N55 on up to the F5 own one of these good cheap lenses. Keep one in the car or office.

Customer Service

Never needed

Similar Products Used:

All of Nikon''''s line of lenses past and present

sharp with good colors as other Nikon''s -with naked eyes. low weight low price

The plastic mount gives the feel of being fragile, making me give extra attention when changing. Is that necessary ?

It gives sharp pictures with very good colors. Sharpness is very satisfactory – such as hair or even fur on clothes can be seen in relatively high details. The lens seems work just a bit better under 200 mm range. I use with F80 (N80) and very happy with. Light weight encourages me to bring with and more enjoyment of photo taking is the result. I think the so-called pros should be more open-mind for the new generation of cost-saving lens. The heart of the thing is the optic not the body. Of course, the body may not be as durable as metal one but this G lens is better in the term of cost-benefit. For budget-conscious like me, the choice is whether to spend a fortune on an expensive lens and go around the town taking pictures or buy this G lens and used the money saved to go to Nepal for testing it.

Customer Service

Never use.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AI 43-86 mm, Sigma AP 80-200 mm, Nikkor G 28-80 mm

Price, nice zoom, consistent results, comes with lens hood.

None.

I''ve used this lens on both my Nikon Pronea S and N80 with superb results. It''s pulled in photos sharply that I couldn''t see very well with my naked eye. It has help me to take consistently sharp and wonderful photos. Paired with my 28-135, I have a great set of lenses that cover most of my needs.

Customer Service

Not used to date. Most likely if this lens were to break down, I''d just easily get a new one since the price is reasonable enough.

Similar Products Used:

Nikkor AF D 28-135mm macro/zoom.