Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300 mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR Lens for DSLR Cameras (Black)

I'll cover the aspects of this lens from a practical perspective. The specs can be had from the internet.FINISH & BUILD:All plastic, but very well finished. The zoom ring is much superior to Nikon's other lens in this price range- smooth, well damped and clear notches at either ends. While the lens has a plastic mount, it should last years if one uses it with respect.AF SPEED:I'll compare the AF speed of this lens with 3 others: the 55-200 VR, the 70-300VR (AF-S) and the USD/USM from Tamron and Canon.Compared to the 55-200/55-300, there is no competition. This AF-P blows them out of the water.Compared to the 70-300 AF-S, the practical difference is marginal. While the AF-P is much faster (3-4x) than the AF-S if you rack from minimum to infinity, the AF-S is almost as fast in the real world where focusing involves the lens moving in smaller distances. So if you have a 70-300 AF-S, stick to it. The AF-P seems faster as it does not jerk like the AF-S does when focusing.Compared to Canon's USM and Tamron's USD, the speed is about the same. The AF-P seems slightly slower than the Canon STMs.Low light AF is poor, compared to Tamron's f/6.3 lens. Strange that Nikon could not ensure better compatibility. My Tamron 150-600 works better on the D5200 at f/6.3, than the AF-P works with the D7200.FOCUS RESET ISSUE:Most of you would have read that the AF-P works on some Nikon DSLRs (like the D5200) but the focus resets after the meter goes to sleep. In reality, the focus does NOT reset when the meter goes to sleep. When you re-acquire focus after the meter goes to sleep, the lens first goes to infinity and then reacquires focus. This takes about 0.5 sec and robs the lens of the advantages of its otherwise excellent AF speed. You can reduce the impact by extending the standby timers to 30m in custom settings.VR and Weight:VR seems good. It seems to work well in panning as well. So the inability to switch off VR in some Nikon models is not a minus. However, the light weight of this lens makes it a mismatch in the heavier DSLRs (like D7200, etc.) as the AF point shifts ever so slightly doe to the shutter vibrations, a problem that heavier lens like the 70-300 AF-S do not have (their extra weight help in stabilizing the shooting action). I would recommend this lens strictly with the lighter Nikon bodies.SHARPNESS & COLOR:Compared to the 70-300 AF-S, the AF-P has superior sharpness at 300mm (at f/6.3) whereas the gap narrows when the AF-S is taken to f/8. Till 250mm, the AF-S holds its own.Color seems to be better on the AF-S. Depth in color shades is much better on the AF-S. The AF-P glass seems to be of the cheaper versions as used in the older 55-200. If micro-contrast is important, choose the AF-S.SUMMARY:If you have a lighter Nikon (D3300+, D5200+), this lens is a no-brainer. Its cheap, light, and transforms the cameras. You may have to cope sometimes with focus lags or freezes (esp in low light), but the pros outweigh the cons.If you have a mid-range Nikon (D7200+), the AF-S is the better option. Its AF is almost as fast as the AF-P, is as sharp till 250mm, doesn't freeze and the weight helps in stabilizing.

This is a fantastic lens at this price range. this is right lens for bird photography(for beginners), focus ring is very smooth, build quality is awesome, Autofocus is great and vibration reduction is superb, just make sure you have a camera body with as many auto focus points as possible, more the auto focus points, better it is for wild life photography.If you are looking for a telephoto lens at 20-25k range this is right choice, but then again this is not a premium quality lens but the best among the available lenses at this price range. Investing in lens is never a loss you can mount them on any camera body and use it so it's definitely worth it. If you are absolutely beginner and have no idea on which telephoto lens to buy, go ahead and buy this lens. And if you are looking for a wide angle lens with telephoto reach, go for Nikon 55-300mm but the motor in 70-300mm is better then 55-300mm. Please find the attached images clicked with Nikon D3400 to decide if it's worth buying it.

Very good but uv and hood not in box

Amazon does not support their customers… I agree it was my fault I have not checked comparability with my camera. I wanted to replace it with higher value lens but they say it cannot me returned or replaced…Well played Amazon

Nikon AF-P 70-300 f4.5-6.3G ED VR DX is a worthy lens on Nikon DX DSLR cameras. But like all lenses this lens has its own merits and demerits.Be careful before you buy this lens, because this lens do not work with many recent Nikon DSLRs. I have provided compatibility information in this review.Pros:• New Auto focus motor AF-P is a Pulse/Stepper type which results in very silent and faster auto focus. This AF-P motor is better than AF-S lens. AF-P type lens is particularly useful for making Video without any focus noise. Video with AF-S lens will have some kind of focus noise whenever focus changes.• Light weight and compact Lens with ED element and VR. (Note: Same lens without VR option is available; do not buy the lens without VR option). VR is helpful is reducing handshake effects on final image, particularly at longer focal lengths( means longer zoom)• Price is attractive if you buy at around 15k to 16k. This lens is also available as Kit lens with some Nikon DSLR models.Cons :• Lens Mount is plastic, not metal. Not a big issue if you are handling the lens with little care.• Maximum aperture of 6.3 at longer zooms like 300mm may be some limitations for some photographers. But again it’s a not big issue; you can easily overcome by playing with higher ISO or other camera settings.• In this lens, VR OFF/ON slide button is not present on Lens. Now this VR enable or disable option is moved to Camera menu. So quick change is not possible. Other VR lenses have this option on the lens itself.• Biggest negative of this lens -> This lens does not work with many recent DSLRs.Here is the information Lens compatibility & Non-compatibility with DSLRs.• For Nikon D3400, D5500, D500 works perfectly .No camera Firmware upgrade is required.• Nikon D3300, D5300, D5200 requires firmware upgrade to enable or disable VR in camera menu . Without firmware upgrade, VR option do not appear in Camera menu. There is chance that these cameras might have been upgraded to new firmware by Nikon when you buy these new DSLR models. Firmware upgrade procedure and related information is present in Nikon Website.• With Nikon D7200, D7100 VR is always enabled; there is no way to disable the VR. Firmware upgrade is not yet available (as on January 2017). Hopefully firmware upgrade may allow enable or disable of VR in camera menu like Nikon did it not for D3400 etc.• This lens do NOT work with these cameras: D3200, D3100, D3000, D7000, D5100, D5000, D300, D200, D90, D60, D50, D40. This is a big disappointment for these recent and older DSLR model owners.I hope this review is helpful. Thanks.