Overview


The Nikon 70-300mm VR lens is targeted towards sports, nature and wildlife photographers that need a lightweight, versatile telephoto lens with great optics and vibration reduction technology, at an affordable price. The lens works on both Nikon FX (full-frame) and DX (cropped) sensors and has an equivalent field of view of approximately 105-450mm on DX sensors, which makes the lens particularly good for reaching distant subjects. The Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ID-ED VR lens features two “ED” (extra low dispersion) glass elements that are used in all Nikon professional lenses, providing higher contrast, lower chromatic aberration and higher resolution, due to less air bubbles and glass deformities within the glass elements. In addition, the lens sports the latest vibration reduction “VR II” technology, giving up to 4 full stops of advantage over non-VR lenses at low shutter speeds. Vibration Reduction, especially the latest VR II generation, makes this lens particularly useful for hand-held shooting while hiking and traveling. Autofocus is practically silent, thanks to the Silent Wave Motor (AF-S) within the lens.
This article is a comparison between the new Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S lens versus the older Nikon 50mm f/1.4D AF-D.

First of all, I want to start out by saying that the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 is my favorite low-light and portrait lens. The Nikon 50mm f/1.4D lens was one of my first lenses that I bought and I have been using it more than any other lens, even today. I was very excited when the new Nikon 50mm f/1.4G came out, because I loved the older version and couldn’t imagine how good the new one would be with all of the new enhancements that Nikon has been adding to their line of lenses. So, as soon as the update came out, I pre-ordered one from B&H and started using it more than the older version for my everyday photography needs. I use it for all indoors/low-light photography and especially to photograph my two boys.

The latest generation of the 70-200mm lens is no exception – Nikon completely redesigned the lens, adding more “ED” (Extra-Low Dispersion) optical elements, making this lens sharper than the previous version. Nikon also added the new “N” (Nano Crystal Coating) to this lens, which is supposed to minimize ghosting and lens flare. Other new features include a brand new “VR II” vibration reduction system, which provides a four stop benefit over non-VR systems and a new “A/M” focus mode for auto-focus priority.
Please see our subscription page in order to subscribe to our website via email or RSS.
Please see our subscription page in order to subscribe to our website via email or RSS.
If you are a birder, you have only two choices for Nikon – either the 300mm f/4.0 AF-S or an expensive/heavy professional lens such as the 600mm f/4.0 VR. All other semi-professional lenses by Nikon are not good enough/long enough for birding. The 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D VR is too slow to focus and a lot of people are frustrated with it because smaller birds are constantly on the move and won’t just sit there for you to take your time. I have been using this lens for almost two years now and have been very pleased with the results. I take it with me everywhere I go and have used it more than any other lens so far (my second most used lens is the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4). It is relatively light and I primarily use it handheld for shooting birds and other wildlife of Colorado.
