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Home → Reviews → Cameras and Lenses → Nikon 1 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR Review

Nikon 1 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR

By Thomas Stirr 67 Comments
Last Updated On July 2, 2020

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Summary

After shooting extensively with the 1 Nikon CX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR lens for the past couple of weeks, I have fallen in love with it. In my mind it is the “Mighty Mouse” of the ultra-zoom market and is worth every penny of its purchase price. Not only is it sharp and capable of producing beautiful images, but its comparatively short minimum focus distance also gives it added flexibility. Using extension tubes with it further extends this functionality.

CX 70-300 review Image 29
NIKON 1 V2 + 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 167.5mm, ISO 3200, 1/125, f/5.6

While perhaps not the best choice for photographers looking for an all-conditions solution for shooting a steady diet of birds in flight, the 1 Nikon CX 70-300 excels in so many other ways that it represents a great choice for the majority of people looking for an ultra-zoom lens.

CX 70-300 review Image 31
NIKON 1 V2 + 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 219.6mm, ISO 1600, 1/125, f/5.6

And, for people who simply cannot handle a large, heavy full-frame ultra-zoom lens, the CX 70-300 really is the only interchangeable lens on the market offering an equivalent “reach” of 810mm in a small, easy-to-handle package.

CX 70-300 review Image 30
NIKON 1 V2 + 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 300mm, ISO 3200, 1/25, f/5.6

Whether the CX 70-300 VR will get more people considering and eventually buying a Nikon 1 camera or not remains to be seen. On a personal basis I can’t see myself using this lens with anything but a V-Series camera. I need to be looking through a viewfinder when trying to frame a subject, especially when attempting to locate it with a lens this “long”. Attempting to frame a subject using the rear LCD of a camera held away from my eye would frustrate me. Perhaps I’m just an old school shooter.

1 Nikon CX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 VR Lens Review
  • Optical Performance
  • Features
  • Bokeh Quality
  • Build Quality
  • Focus Speed and Accuracy
  • Handling
  • Image Stabilization
  • Value
  • Size and Weight

Photography Life Overall Rating

Photograhy Life Gold Award
4.6

Table of Contents

  • Overview and Specifications
  • Focusing
  • Optical Characteristics
  • Summary
  • More Image Samples
  • Reader Comments
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Disclosures, Terms and Conditions and Support Options

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