70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR on a D3 Anyone?

I'm thinking of picking one of these up for my D3. I will be using it to augment my kit. the 14-24 and 24-70 2.8. I will be shooting landscapes with it mostly. The reach is not stellar but the size is an weight is workable. I may pick up a TC-17E converter later. I notice that it's a complete plastic build and outside of the VR does this lens have the same glass as the cheaper G model. Also, will the image quality be so bad as to what I'm getting out of my other two lenses on the D3, make me wish I didn't go there?

Any experience with this combo would be helpful. Let me add one more thing. I really don't shoot in this range often but the size and price of this lens seems attractive. I really don't want to haul anything bigger around.

SCO

Hi, like you I dithered what to get. I could not find any reviews of this lens on the D3, but I went to NY recently and picked one up there since they are bit cheaper there (about 500 US incl tax) at B$H (by the way what an amazing shop) There is nothing like it in the UK or anywhere in Europe I guess).

Anyway I started using it right away, it is nice and light, VR is useful, image quality is not in the same league as the other 2, but if you remember to stop it down a bit it is not bad.

A bit softer above 200mm, but I like it a lot overall. And having seen the recent review here of the 70-200VR on the D3 I'm glad I did not buy one of those.

The D3, 24-70, 14-24 and the 70-300 all fit in a Lowepro flipside 300, which I got for it small size and light weight. Perfect for city trips since the opening is against your back.

There are some shots with the 70-300 here
http://www.romani.plus.com/USA

Rob

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/ProductDetail.page?pid=2151

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http://www.returntothepit.com



pictures up within hours of the show

I use the 70-300 as a walkaround on the D300 if I don't want to carry any heavy glass. I just tried it on the D3 ... the vignetting at 300mm is horrible although it is simple to correct in PP. The 1.1 firmware doesn't seem to do the job for this lense. If you are prepared to crop or not go to extremes it is OK but a little soft compated to the 70-200 + 1.4TC.

I'll post some images later

Hi, I see you are looking at a Zoom lens. I purchased all the new Nikon lenses (3) but found the 70-200 VR to be difficult to work with (focusing) I sold it on Ebay at a small loss.

Just an FYI

I'm liking the results I see so far.
the D3 is focusing amazingly fast on this lens, and VR works very well.

I decided to pass on the 70-200 2.8 VR, this was my cheaper alternative until a better choice comes along. The money saved payed for an 85mm f/1.4, which I must say is dreamy.

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http://mattanderson.zenfolio.com/

Ed Constable said:

I use the 70-300 as a walkaround on the D300 if I don't want to carry
any heavy glass. I just tried it on the D3 ... the vignetting at
300mm is horrible although it is simple to correct in PP. The 1.1
firmware doesn't seem to do the job for this lense. If you are
prepared to crop or not go to extremes it is OK but a little soft
compated to the 70-200 + 1.4TC.

I'll post some images later

Click to expand...

Vignetting at 300mm?? I don't see any horrible vignetting on mine taken w D3. Are we talking about the 70-300 VR? Admittedly I avoid wide open, but at f8 I have difficulty seeing anything significant.

I have been using it extensively during a 3 weeks trek to Nepal in Apil on a D3 and I delighted with the results.

One quick sample:



Cheers,
Bernard

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http://www.light-of-earths.com

Hi webneep

Attached 1/2000, -1/3 correction, 300mm, f5.6, bright sunlight no PP other conversion to jpeg and downsizing

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26440202@N02/2482498304/

I guess I'll be saving my money for an FX verison of this lens. I'm surprized Nikons not pumping out more FX lenses that work on the D3, and don't exhibit this vinyetting issue. The firmware fix not going cut it for me. I'm hearing it doesn't cure the this problem on some of the lenses. Why spend new money on old lens technology.The 14-24 and 24-70 are just amazing. Not having a 70-200, 70-300, 80-400 seems strange to me. The big gun FX primes are fine. But the size and price of these lenses won't work for me. I don't want to step on any toes here, but when one drop this kind of money, don't you think they should be introducing the lenses that don't exhibit anthing but the best of optical perfection a lot sooner. Sorry for for the rant, but I don't think I'm alone on this.

Very sharp, llow vignetting, compact, light weight, VR but unfortunately a little too slow...
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Kindest regards,
Stany
I prefer one really good picture in a day over 10 bad ones in a second...

http://www.fotografie.fr/

I opted to try the lens on an event a few weeks ago instead of lugging the 70-200.

The lens with the D3 was tac sharp and images were excellent, however, it is a slow lens and focuses quite slowly .. So if you are after fast action, this is not the lens, if you have time between shots you might want to give it a try.. I was again,very impressed with the image quality and the D3 and it is not a weighty lens like the 70-200.. Very comfortable to hold etc...

OK. Repeated with Vignette set to On "Normal" in camers with firmware 1.1.

It does what the package says ... i.e. it only works with NX.

In Bibble the vignetting is still there

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26440202@N02/2483026000/

But 30 seconds work in Bibble gets rid of this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26440202@N02/2482211259/

It's not a bad lense for what you pay ... but don't use it at its extremes