Is it normal for AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm DX VR?

Chemistree · Oct 29, 2018

I finally decided to upgrade my AF-S 55-300mm DX VR to the new AF-P 70-300mm DX VR lens after reading many positive reviews including some on dpreview. Today I received it and couldn't wait to try it on my D3300. I'm pretty happy with its fast, sometimes almost instant auto focus, and the accuracy of it. However, I notice two things I don't particularly like and would like to ask if it's normal/expected:

1. When I shoot something about 1.5 m away at 300mm, the 55-300mm lens feels noticeably closer than the 70-300mm lens. To get the same amount of contents in the frame, I need to adjust the 55-300mm lens to about 220mm. Why do they have different angle of view at the same focal length?

2. The barrel gets a bit warm with the 70-300mm lens after auto focusing back and forth without taking pictures. The 55-300mm lens stays cool.

Are these properties normal and expected for this lens?

Thanks in advance!

dwa1 · Oct 30, 2018

Chemistree said:
I finally decided to upgrade my AF-S 55-300mm DX VR to the new AF-P 70-300mm DX VR lens after reading many positive reviews including some on dpreview. Today I received it and couldn't wait to try it on my D3300. I'm pretty happy with its fast, sometimes almost instant auto focus, and the accuracy of it. However, I notice two things I don't particularly like and would like to ask if it's normal/expected:

1. When I shoot something about 1.5 m away at 300mm, the 55-300mm lens feels noticeably closer than the 70-300mm lens. To get the same amount of contents in the frame, I need to adjust the 55-300mm lens to about 220mm. Why do they have different angle of view at the same focal length?

2. The barrel gets a bit warm with the 70-300mm lens after auto focusing back and forth without taking pictures. The 55-300mm lens stays cool.

Are these properties normal and expected for this lens?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Chemistree and Welcome to the DPR forums.

I cannot answer #1.

I have not noticed the symptoms in #2. However, I have not looked for this.

D3300 firmware? Have you updated this? On Thom Hogan's (link below), see the AF-P lens "Fully Compatible" section. Note that he indicates the D3300 needs a firmware update. Don't know if this has anything to do with the lens barrel getting "a bit warm".

Understanding the AF-P Lenses | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

Summary of the Nikon AF-P lens camera compatibility

www.dslrbodies.com

Hope this helps in some way. Perhaps you will get more feedback on your questions later on.

Wayne

Gary Barnett · Oct 30, 2018

Chemistree said:
I finally decided to upgrade my AF-S 55-300mm DX VR to the new AF-P 70-300mm DX VR lens after reading many positive reviews including some on dpreview. Today I received it and couldn't wait to try it on my D3300. I'm pretty happy with its fast, sometimes almost instant auto focus, and the accuracy of it. However, I notice two things I don't particularly like and would like to ask if it's normal/expected:

1. When I shoot something about 1.5 m away at 300mm, the 55-300mm lens feels noticeably closer than the 70-300mm lens. To get the same amount of contents in the frame, I need to adjust the 55-300mm lens to about 220mm. Why do they have different angle of view at the same focal length?

2. The barrel gets a bit warm with the 70-300mm lens after auto focusing back and forth without taking pictures. The 55-300mm lens stays cool.

Are these properties normal and expected for this lens?

Thanks in advance!

1) That's a focus breathing and I have noticed it myself when I compared it to my other zoom lenses so yes, it's normal. If you focus into distance, then it's closer to 300mm, if not 300mm.

2) Can't say I have noticed that.

Chemistree · Oct 30, 2018

dwa1 said:
Hi Chemistree and Welcome to the DPR forums.

I cannot answer #1.

I have not noticed the symptoms in #2. However, I have not looked for this.

D3300 firmware? Have you updated this? On Thom Hogan's (link below), see the AF-P lens "Fully Compatible" section. Note that he indicates the D3300 needs a firmware update. Don't know if this has anything to do with the lens barrel getting "a bit warm".

http://www.dslrbodies.com/lenses/lens-articles/general-nikon-lens-info/understanding-the-af-p.html

Hope this helps in some way. Perhaps you will get more feedback on your questions later on.

Wayne

Hi Wayne, thanks for your warm Welcome

Yes I have updated the firmware to the latest one. Otherwise the AF-P lens will not work with the default oldest firmware.

I actually also notice the camera body becomes a bit warm, this also happens when I do long exposure shooting or high speed continuous shooting. I didn't notice this symptom when I had D90 (it was stolen in a burglary with several lens, unfortunately, so I bought a D3300 to cure my broken heart). I thought it was because it's entry-level DSLR, so the processor gets warm quickly. But I'm not sure whether I should expect it or not.

Chemistree · Oct 30, 2018

Gary Barnett said:
1) That's a focus breathing and I have noticed it myself when I compared it to my other zoom lenses so yes, it's normal. If you focus into distance, then it's closer to 300mm, if not 300mm.

2) Can't say I have noticed that.

Hi Gary, thanks for your kind reply!

1) I didn't know the term "focus breathing" until you introduced it to me. Now I learn something new. Good to know it's normal!

2) Maybe it's because I intentionally let it focus very far and very close to test the speed of auto focus. I also notice the camera body becomes a bit warm by doing so. I thought it was because it's entry-level so the processor gets warm faster. (Or maybe it's because it's already quite cold outside!)

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Is it normal for AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm DX VR?

Chemistree

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dwa1

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Understanding the AF-P Lenses | DSLRBodies | Thom Hogan

Gary Barnett

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