Nikkor 70-300 f/4-5.6D ED - any good

adamburton

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16 Sep 2004 - 1:41 PM

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Im looking to get myself a telephoto zoom and wondered if this one was any good? I have a Sigma one which is about as soft as soft cheese on the rare occasions that Ive used it. So I wondered if this would be any better.

Has anybody got this one. Can you recommend it. Or are there any other long zooms you can recommend for a Nikon. I dont want to spend too much as I probably will never use it, but also I would like something half decent.

Thanks,
Adam.

BOB S

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16 Sep 2004 - 2:50 PM

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Adam,

I have this lens which I use on my D100, I am very pleased with it, its sharp and contrasty - a typical Nikkor in my experience. You can see plenty of pics in my portfolio taken with it - difficult at the low resolution of this site I know but should give you an idea.

BOB

chrisrudland

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16 Sep 2004 - 3:37 PM

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Hi Adam,

I am just on the verge of buying a D70 with a prime Nikkor and a Sigma 500mm for some motorsport bike stuff. I had been looking at other Nikkor's in this 300mm range and found this review.

You may want to have a look, I think the focus issues were with a d100 though, but is it a Nikon or Tamron?

"Of course Nikon will never admit this and I don't care enough to research it any deeper. I was not able to get anyone at Nikon USA to answer yes to the question "is the 70-300 manufactured in a factory owned by Nikon?" They would claim that it's "made by Nikon," but legally if it's made in a factory owned by Tamron under contract to Nikon, then it is "made by Nikon." Tamron USA of course also was not at liberty to discuss this."

See my link below >>

Focus Errors

Chris

StrayCat

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16 Sep 2004 - 4:58 PM

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Thom Hogan also said everyone he knowswho has this lens loves it. Also said the 18-70 DX and 70-300 ED may be the perfect travel kit. Another thing to consider if money is a big consideration is the Nikkor 70-300 G. Virtually the only difference in the G and ED is the price and the fact the ED has a metal mount virsus a plastic one.

rogerbryan

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16 Sep 2004 - 5:11 PM

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Adam,
If your looking for the 70 - 300 Nikon lens, last time I was in Jessops in Bath, they had some in stock and were having no trouble getting them either.
Roger

BOB S

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16 Sep 2004 - 7:46 PM

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Denny,

Dont forget that the G series lenses have no aperture control ring, so limit the lens to use on the later range of cameras with the aperture control electronically operated by the camera. Also with a lens of this size and weight I would not underestimate the value of a metal mount, especially as this lens has no tripod mount, meaning the weight of the lens is hanging on the front of the camera.
As per Thom Hogan I have the 18-70 IF ED AF-S DX (cor thats a mouthfull) Nikkor and it is a cracker.

BOB

adamburton

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16 Sep 2004 - 8:05 PM

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Thanks all. The one Im looking at is the ED model.

kind regards,
Adam.

bogrod

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16 Sep 2004 - 9:15 PM

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I would seriously consider the 75-300 Nikkor in its place.

At risk of starting a heated debate, the 70-300 is manufacturered by Tamron. The optical formula alone proves this (which is precisely identical, and an embarrasment to Nikon when photographers found out about this and Nikon "zoomed" the optical formula in later advertisements) with the only difference being the fact that Tamron calls their low dispersion element LD, and Nikon calls their's ED. They are both seated in the same place in the optical formula, and they are *both* of a very small size. Most Nikon ED telephotos have the ED elements up in front, if not *the* first element, where they really count. The 70-300 is an ED lens only in the strictest sense. The 75-300 at least doesn't pretend to be one, and it has a tripod collar for when you need to (or really should) mount your setup.

If nothing else, consider a used Tamron 70-300 LD.