Camera Labs

This is the base 70-300mm model in the Nikkor range, around $140 USD (Autumn 2008). The two steps up are the ED version and the AF-S VR version.

Here are some quick samples of pics i took at a recent outing on a dark, overcast, Washington day.

All of these are with a Nikon D80...




Focal length: 220mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec
Sensitivity: 800 ISO




Focal length: 240mm
Aperture: f/5.3
Shutter Speed: 1/320 sec
Sensitivity: 800 ISO




Focal length: 85mm
Aperture: f/4.2
Shutter Speed: 1/160 sec
Sensitivity: 500 ISO




Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/5.0
Shutter Speed: 1/400 sec
Sensitivity: 800 ISO

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Nikon D80 || AF-S DX 18-135mm
Nikon N75 || AF 28-80mm G , AF 70-300mm G, AF 50mm f1.8D, AF 35mm f2.0 (all Nikkor)

I have this lens, its a good budget telephoto.

You get some very sharp results... Mine are a little soft

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Eric D.
Nikon D90 | 18-200 VR
"Less is the new Black"---Chase Jarvis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25947744@N03/

Here are some positive and negative opinions I have regarding this lens...

The Good:
-BUDGET LENS! Only about $140 USD new!
-Light Weight
-Excellent Zoom Range
-Better optics than a comparable Quantaray 70-300mm
-Full Frame Compatible... works GREAT on my N75 film!
-Sharp results with great color


The Bad:
-Plasticy Body, feels kinda cheap
-Needs lots of light to shoot in because...
A) slow aperature
B) no VR
C) very bouncy beyond 200mm w/o tripod
-Pretty bad color fringing after 200mm
-Stupidly slow and loud autofocus (granted, it is accurate)
-Crappy Macro
-Wont work on D40/D40x/D60


Go for the ED version if you've got a bit more cash, it'll help cure the color fringing issue. But for not much more, go for the AF-S VR version... you'll get ED glass, a better focusing motor (with manual override), and vibration reduction.

...Unless you're fortunate enough to go for a 70-200 f2.8 VR. Of course, that's a BEAST, but sooooooo glorious.

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Nikon D80 || AF-S DX 18-135mm
Nikon N75 || AF 28-80mm G , AF 70-300mm G, AF 50mm f1.8D, AF 35mm f2.0 (all Nikkor)