This lens is the second lens I have purchased. It gives sharp images, especially with the vibration reduction turned on. I took a picture of a helicopter overhead that was small to the eye and the image showed the blades stopped in mid rotation and clearly the ID numbers on the side. I've only had the lens for a couple of weeks so I can't speak to the reliability. I seems quite sturdy with metal in the right places. I have some concern about the lens being manufactured in China (which was not mentioned in the original listing). This unit does have at least some plastic optical components, according to one description I saw after purchasing this unit. There is also some mention of it having "slow focusing", which I haven't observed so far (also limited experience with this camera, D7100). GeneRead full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I am a keen photographer who bought this lens to provide a lightweight travel solution where a good zoom reach was needed for distant close-ups, such as the ceiling detail in old cathedrals, or landscapes when access was difficult. I have used the 70-300 VR before and found it far better for both contrast and sharpness. The 55 at the wide end also allowed for better all-round use. However, on full zoom, this Nikon lens if just not sharp and images also lack clarity of color and contrast. I have tried it under low light and full sun but cannot get the image quality I need. At moderate zoom lengths - say up to 200mm - it is fine. Even on clear, crisp days, the full zoom performance leaves me seriously wondering why I bought this lens in the first place. Yes, it is an economic solution, but not suitable for serious enlargement work. Perhaps I have a dud example? By comparison, my 18-140 is sharp, contrasty, and the images have a quality that the 55-300 seriously lacks. My advice - try this lens on your camera before you buy and check the full zoom capabilities too. I am just unable, despite a few weeks of testing, to get excited about this zoom at all.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Very well built lens (Metal not plastic). Older push-pull zoom style has appeal to me. Its autofocus is fast and accurate. It works beautifully with both a DSLR (D300) and an older film cameras (N90s). While it lacks some modern features such as VR and distance communication to the camera, it's used price along with a $117.00 film camera body allows me to safely use a bird lens in a canoe. If it drowns I'm not out big bucks. With an aperture ring I can use it with extension tubes for close focusing. And the aperture ring also allows me to use older tele-converters. Its tripod mounting ring has never gotten in my way and is very helpful in balancing my outfit on a mount. This tripod mount is much easier to use while switching from horizontal to vertical formats and leveling the horizon when using a ball head on a tripod. It also works well with D-TTL and i-TTL flashes. In short, I love this lens!!Read full review
I'd been wanting a longer lens to use with my Nikon D7000 and decided to try this one. My first outing with it produced some great shots in relatively low light. The autofocus is slightly laggy at the farthest focal lengths, as I discovered while trying to capture some pelicans flying in formation, but overall, it's a good lens as one would expect from Nikon.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I love this lens. 300 mm is an incredible tool for your outfit. I am astounded at its reach. Although it is not quite as sharp as I was hoping, I am still well satisfied with the lens. I use it constantly. Love the fact that they offer such a fun and extreme piece of equipment at this price. Really a great value. I recommend this to anyone that thinks they cannot afford a 300 zoom.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
There are something good and bad about this lens. First, the good: Vibration reduction is very effective. You can easily see the difference when switching vr on at 300mm zoom range. Guess this is what modern technology brought us. Now we can hand held camera and still take sharp pictures. Lens is pretty sharp up to 200mm and then sharpness decline a little. To the people spoiled by using prime 300mm ed nikon lens, this lens can not meet the expectation. The focusing is fast enough for most activities. For general use, it is good enough. Then the bad: Zooming is not smooth. When zooming from 55 to about 200mm, it is smooth, then you feel resistance from 240 to 300mm. So what I did is point lens to the ground when zoom in and point lens up when zoom out. It is not very convenient but worked ok. The build quality is definitely not up to the old nikon ais lens but this lens is light. If you use force on any part of the lens, I think it will break because of plastic construction.Read full review
I baught this as an upgrade to the 55 to 200 kit lens that came with the D5100, and it certainly is that. It really does deliver the super sharp picture quality that you expect from Nikon. I did not give it 5 stars, because you do see a drop off at the longest focal lenth, but then again, that seems to be typical for a lens in this price range. I have gotten some fantastic sports shots with it in shutter priority mode, which can be made even better with minimal enhancements. Portraits and landscapes in A-Priority have turned a out consistently excellent as well. This lens excells when you have enourh light, but is not fast enough for action shots in less than ideal lighting conditions. I use a Quantary Circular Polorizer in bright sunlight conditions and have manaaged some 'framable' shots looking almost directly into the sun. All in all a great valueRead full review
Not properly packed with no padding and not in it's box! New lenses come in a box. Other than that seems to operate well all though in low light it doesn't Auto focus well. It's very light and easy to handle compared to my 400mm.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I was really interested in 70-300mm lens but didn't have the budget for it!!! So decided to go with this one and I am glad I bought it!!! There are tons of mixed reviews on YouTube quiet underestimating this one!! But to be honest if you are on budget and need a zoom lens..this is the one you should go for!! You may get the 55-200 for much cheaper but for few bucks more you are getting the extra reach and way better built quality!! Overall like a casual photographer like me this is a great investment!!! Go for it!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This lens is the perfect addition to the usual 18-55 zoom. The vibration reduction is indispensable. It focuses smoothly, but needs manual focus when there are things in the foreground. It makes the camera a bit top heavy, so to speak, but that's also because my DSLR body is so light.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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