I have a Nikon D5300 and I am looking to purchase this lens. Will I need to upgrade the firmware on my camera, or will the lens work automatically with VR on? I read somewhere that the lens will default to VR ON when attached to older models, and that a firmware upgrade is only necessary to TURN OFF the VR (which I wouldn’t want). Is this correct? Thank you in advance :-)
Just update the camera firmware ‘C’ and update the camera’s lens profiles ‘L’ remembering to take the lens off before you do ‘L’.
Bryan
May 3, 2023 5:52 pm
The non-VR version of this lens is perfect if you are Nikon and want to create a beginner package that includes an 18-55 mm lens, a camera case, and two batteries. The non-VR lens allows you to knock a few dollars off. I bought this package, needing something on the quick, and am now looking to get a VR version of the lens. Strangely, the shorter lens is VR, but not the telephoto.
Will
March 16, 2022 11:19 am
I have been very happy with this lens. I bought it refurbished for only $150 (current price is about $200). This review is a nice confirmation of the surprisingly good quality of this budget lens. I also used it to shoot a video of a rocket launch and i was impressed by how well it maintained focus even as I zoomed in and out (used with a D7500 camera).
Bjarne Jensen
February 18, 2022 9:25 am
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P: This lens on Nikon Z50 works excellent. A tc-1.4 between the above mentioned and You got a 630mm gear. Works stellar for birding and BIF. Compared to many other solutions this setup is lightweight, small, and affordable. I use the tc: Kenko teleplus pro 300 1.4. Focus works even in low light situations. To have the electronic evf on the Z50 is a big thing when birding. You get a lot of keepers😃
I’ve been looking for just this information. I’ve been thinking about purchasing the Z50 for the reasons you mentioned. I got this lens with my D7500. It does get blurry when panning. So I use my dx 70-200 f 2.8 for running animals.
But it’s a heavy combination, and my aging body is feeling the weight more and more. I picked up the Z50 at Best Buy and fell in love with the feel of it.
I’m glad to hear you can use the lighter gear for bif. Also, I appreciate your sharing your experience with the tc.
Thanks
Rich
January 14, 2021 9:16 pm
The non VR version of this lens should be great for astro-photography on a steady motorized mount. In particular the moon.
Mihai
October 3, 2020 11:26 am
Hello,
Thank you for the in depth review. I find well documented and very useful. Can you recommend a good hood for this lens?
Saurabh Jain
August 29, 2020 8:43 pm
Hi, I use Nikon D7500 and currently have 3 lens -Nikkor 18-105mm, 35mm, Tokina 11-16 mm and am now looking to add one telephoto. So, I have been reaeing mix reviews for this one 70-300 AF-P so a bit confused. I would be using it for some bird photography, some wildlife, distant street. Another option which I am considering is Tamron 18-400. Would appreciate if the mentors here could help me clarify the things here. Thanks.
I have no experience with 18-400 but I dare to say the 70-300mm is going to be way sharper and faster (focus). So this would be a no brainer to me for wildlife.
thkpic
August 20, 2020 8:06 am
I”m kind of shocked by this lens and it may be….or at least close to….the most compelling reason to keep shooting Nikon DX. I’ve used it on my D500 and now a D7500. It is fairly consistent throughout the zoom range producing pleasing pictures in terms of color and contrast. What I really am amazed by his how fast it focuses. It can absolutely keep up with the D500. I’ve gotten some incredible shots of my dog running straight at me with even the last frames up to the front of the camera in focus.
Since it has above average IQ and a focusing motor you would associate with a higher end lens, it means you can squeeze every bit of performance out of your DX camera…and it is FUN to use! I even like the build quality and it has a nice smooth zoom function as well.
Haven’t tried the new Z50 versions, but from what I’ve read they are slightly better. With that said though, I really think these AF-P lenses are the bargain of the century.
John D
July 29, 2020 2:33 am
Is this lens fully compatable with my Nikon D3500 DSLR camera?
I use in my D3500…. It is a SPECTACULAR lens…. Just buy it!!
Leonardo Mello
May 17, 2020 2:28 pm
Hello! I know the reason for my question may sound silly, but… is there a bigger lens hood model compatible with this AF-P 70-300mm VR lens? I currently own the older AF-S 70-300mm VR lens and I love how big this lens look lol (silly, I know). The AF-P, on the other hand, seem to look so tiny. I’d like to use my current HB-36 hood on the AF-P, but they’re not compatible.
I have a Nikon D5300 and I am looking to purchase this lens. Will I need to upgrade the firmware on my camera, or will the lens work automatically with VR on? I read somewhere that the lens will default to VR ON when attached to older models, and that a firmware upgrade is only necessary to TURN OFF the VR (which I wouldn’t want). Is this correct? Thank you in advance :-)
Just update the camera firmware ‘C’ and update the camera’s lens profiles ‘L’ remembering to take the lens off before you do ‘L’.
The non-VR version of this lens is perfect if you are Nikon and want to create a beginner package that includes an 18-55 mm lens, a camera case, and two batteries. The non-VR lens allows you to knock a few dollars off. I bought this package, needing something on the quick, and am now looking to get a VR version of the lens. Strangely, the shorter lens is VR, but not the telephoto.
I have been very happy with this lens. I bought it refurbished for only $150 (current price is about $200). This review is a nice confirmation of the surprisingly good quality of this budget lens. I also used it to shoot a video of a rocket launch and i was impressed by how well it maintained focus even as I zoomed in and out (used with a D7500 camera).
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G DX VR AF-P:
This lens on Nikon Z50 works excellent.
A tc-1.4 between the above mentioned and You got a 630mm gear. Works stellar for birding and BIF. Compared to many other solutions this setup is lightweight, small, and affordable. I use the tc: Kenko teleplus pro 300 1.4. Focus works even in low light situations. To have the electronic evf on the Z50 is a big thing when birding. You get a lot of keepers😃
I’ve been looking for just this information. I’ve been thinking about purchasing the Z50 for the reasons you mentioned. I got this lens with my D7500. It does get blurry when panning. So I use my dx 70-200 f 2.8 for running animals.
But it’s a heavy combination, and my aging body is feeling the weight more and more. I picked up the Z50 at Best Buy and fell in love with the feel of it.
I’m glad to hear you can use the lighter gear for bif. Also, I appreciate your sharing your experience with the tc.
Thanks
The non VR version of this lens should be great for astro-photography on a steady motorized mount. In particular the moon.
Hello,
Thank you for the in depth review. I find well documented and very useful.
Can you recommend a good hood for this lens?
Hi, I use Nikon D7500 and currently have 3 lens -Nikkor 18-105mm, 35mm, Tokina 11-16 mm and am now looking to add one telephoto. So, I have been reaeing mix reviews for this one 70-300 AF-P so a bit confused. I would be using it for some bird photography, some wildlife, distant street. Another option which I am considering is Tamron 18-400. Would appreciate if the mentors here could help me clarify the things here. Thanks.
I have no experience with 18-400 but I dare to say the 70-300mm is going to be way sharper and faster (focus). So this would be a no brainer to me for wildlife.
I”m kind of shocked by this lens and it may be….or at least close to….the most compelling reason to keep shooting Nikon DX. I’ve used it on my D500 and now a D7500. It is fairly consistent throughout the zoom range producing pleasing pictures in terms of color and contrast. What I really am amazed by his how fast it focuses. It can absolutely keep up with the D500. I’ve gotten some incredible shots of my dog running straight at me with even the last frames up to the front of the camera in focus.
Since it has above average IQ and a focusing motor you would associate with a higher end lens, it means you can squeeze every bit of performance out of your DX camera…and it is FUN to use! I even like the build quality and it has a nice smooth zoom function as well.
Haven’t tried the new Z50 versions, but from what I’ve read they are slightly better. With that said though, I really think these AF-P lenses are the bargain of the century.
Is this lens fully compatable with my Nikon D3500 DSLR camera?
Yes, fully
I just purchased the same camera did this lens work fully? as stated by Vaclav? if it did what did you think of it?
I use in my D3500…. It is a SPECTACULAR lens…. Just buy it!!
Hello! I know the reason for my question may sound silly, but… is there a bigger lens hood model compatible with this AF-P 70-300mm VR lens? I currently own the older AF-S 70-300mm VR lens and I love how big this lens look lol (silly, I know). The AF-P, on the other hand, seem to look so tiny. I’d like to use my current HB-36 hood on the AF-P, but they’re not compatible.
Bit of a Freudian slip there.