Reading mode: Light Dark

Best 70-300mm lens for the Z6?

Go to last post
S

SidneyVision

Member
Messages
25
Reaction score
54
I am still looking at the Z6.

I would need a lens that extends to 300mm for outdoor stuff. Which 70-300 do you recommend. Does the Tamron work? Is there a Sigma option. And how is the latest Nikon?
 
this Nikon lens gets some very positive comments on this forum from those who use it.

Nikon AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E ED VR
 
I have the relatively new 70-300 AF-P FX lens and like it a lot. I have used it on a D500, D810 and D850 when I want a light-weight telephoto and don't need more than 300 mm. It focuses quickly and accurately, including for fast moving birds and other animals. I have also used it for handheld scenic landscape shots while hiking. The image quality seems very good. Thom Hogan's review says the AF-P version is better optically than the older AF-S version. I had the older AF-S version in the past and this conclusion seems right to me, although I did not own them at the same time and thus did no direct comparisons. Thom includes the AF-P FX version in his list of lenses recommended for FX bodies, including hi-res bodies like the D8xx models.

My wife gave me a Z7 for Christmas and I have tried the the 70-300 AF-P FX lens on the Z7 with the FTZ adapter. The lens seems well matched to the Z7 in size and weight, even with the adapter. I think the Z6 is the same, or roughly the same, size and weight as the Z7, so this should be true on the Z6 as well.

So far, I have used it on the Z7 just casually, walking around neighborhood, taking pictures of trees, houses, squirrels and a few perched birds and only using single point autofocus. In this mode, the camera and lens combination seems to focus fast and accurately. The image quality seems the same as on my D850. I have not yet tried it on fast moving birds and other animals -- I intend to keep my D500 and D850 for wildlife photography in general -- although I will probably give it a try some time for that.

So I think the 70-300 AF-P FX version would be a good choice for the Z6, particularly as the Z mount lens roadmap does not show a native 70-300 at this point.
 
BillW1204 said:
I have the relatively new 70-300 AF-P FX lens and like it a lot. I have used it on a D500, D810 and D850 when I want a light-weight telephoto and don't need more than 300 mm. It focuses quickly and accurately, including for fast moving birds and other animals. I have also used it for handheld scenic landscape shots while hiking. The image quality seems very good. Thom Hogan's review says the AF-P version is better optically than the older AF-S version. I had the older AF-S version in the past and this conclusion seems right to me, although I did not own them at the same time and thus did no direct comparisons. Thom includes the AF-P FX version in his list of lenses recommended for FX bodies, including hi-res bodies like the D8xx models.

My wife gave me a Z7 for Christmas and I have tried the the 70-300 AF-P FX lens on the Z7 with the FTZ adapter. The lens seems well matched to the Z7 in size and weight, even with the adapter. I think the Z6 is the same, or roughly the same, size and weight as the Z7, so this should be true on the Z6 as well.
Click to expand...
Just in case the above paragraph raises a question in the mind of anyone unfamiliar with the Nikon Z models, the Z7 and Z6 are physically identical, externally - the only difference is the badge. All the differences are internal and quite significant (resolution, buffer size, continuous shooting speed and so on) but don't affect the weight, so yes, your findings on the size, balance and weight of the lens on the Z7 will be equally true for the Z6.
BillW1204 said:
So far, I have used it on the Z7 just casually, walking around neighborhood, taking pictures of trees, houses, squirrels and a few perched birds and only using single point autofocus. In this mode, the camera and lens combination seems to focus fast and accurately. The image quality seems the same as on my D850. I have not yet tried it on fast moving birds and other animals -- I intend to keep my D500 and D850 for wildlife photography in general -- although I will probably give it a try some time for that.

So I think the 70-300 AF-P FX version would be a good choice for the Z6, particularly as the Z mount lens roadmap does not show a native 70-300 at this point.
Click to expand...
 
BillW1204 said:
I have the relatively new 70-300 AF-P FX lens and like it a lot. I have used it on a D500, D810 and D850 when I want a light-weight telephoto and don't need more than 300 mm. It focuses quickly and accurately, including for fast moving birds and other animals. I have also used it for handheld scenic landscape shots while hiking. The image quality seems very good. Thom Hogan's review says the AF-P version is better optically than the older AF-S version. I had the older AF-S version in the past and this conclusion seems right to me, although I did not own them at the same time and thus did no direct comparisons. Thom includes the AF-P FX version in his list of lenses recommended for FX bodies, including hi-res bodies like the D8xx models.

My wife gave me a Z7 for Christmas and I have tried the the 70-300 AF-P FX lens on the Z7 with the FTZ adapter. The lens seems well matched to the Z7 in size and weight, even with the adapter. I think the Z6 is the same, or roughly the same, size and weight as the Z7, so this should be true on the Z6 as well.

So far, I have used it on the Z7 just casually, walking around neighborhood, taking pictures of trees, houses, squirrels and a few perched birds and only using single point autofocus. In this mode, the camera and lens combination seems to focus fast and accurately. The image quality seems the same as on my D850. I have not yet tried it on fast moving birds and other animals -- I intend to keep my D500 and D850 for wildlife photography in general -- although I will probably give it a try some time for that.

So I think the 70-300 AF-P FX version would be a good choice for the Z6, particularly as the Z mount lens roadmap does not show a native 70-300 at this point.
Click to expand...
I don’t know why but I was unfamiliar with the AF-P version. It ticks all the boxes for me it seems.
 
SidneyVision said:
I am still looking at the Z6.

I would need a lens that extends to 300mm for outdoor stuff. Which 70-300 do you recommend. Does the Tamron work? Is there a Sigma option. And how is the latest Nikon?
Click to expand...
I just purchased a refurbished AF-S 70-300 and haven’t shot it much yet. I bought this as a holdover until the longer S lenses become available. For the $350 (usd) I paid it seems alright but it is not sharp at 300mm. I haven’t played with it long enough to find a sweet spot (if it has one).
 
Last edited:
My experience exactly. If you check the reviews for this older design, you'll see they agree about quality fall-off past 200 mm. I plan to trade mine in for the newer 70-300 AF-P FX.
 
SidneyVision said:
BillW1204 said:
I have the relatively new 70-300 AF-P FX lens and like it a lot. I have used it on a D500, D810 and D850 when I want a light-weight telephoto and don't need more than 300 mm. It focuses quickly and accurately, including for fast moving birds and other animals. I have also used it for handheld scenic landscape shots while hiking. The image quality seems very good. Thom Hogan's review says the AF-P version is better optically than the older AF-S version. I had the older AF-S version in the past and this conclusion seems right to me, although I did not own them at the same time and thus did no direct comparisons. Thom includes the AF-P FX version in his list of lenses recommended for FX bodies, including hi-res bodies like the D8xx models.

My wife gave me a Z7 for Christmas and I have tried the the 70-300 AF-P FX lens on the Z7 with the FTZ adapter. The lens seems well matched to the Z7 in size and weight, even with the adapter. I think the Z6 is the same, or roughly the same, size and weight as the Z7, so this should be true on the Z6 as well.

So far, I have used it on the Z7 just casually, walking around neighborhood, taking pictures of trees, houses, squirrels and a few perched birds and only using single point autofocus. In this mode, the camera and lens combination seems to focus fast and accurately. The image quality seems the same as on my D850. I have not yet tried it on fast moving birds and other animals -- I intend to keep my D500 and D850 for wildlife photography in general -- although I will probably give it a try some time for that.

So I think the 70-300 AF-P FX version would be a good choice for the Z6, particularly as the Z mount lens roadmap does not show a native 70-300 at this point.
Click to expand...
I don’t know why but I was unfamiliar with the AF-P version. It ticks all the boxes for me it seems.
Click to expand...
If ordering via the internet etc., do keep your eyes peeled to avoid confusion due to ambiguous description by sellers between the one you want (the full frame [FX] version) and the DX version, which is also a 70-300mm AF-P VR. That one has a G in the designation as opposed to the E in the FX version. The DX is somewhat smaller and considerably cheaper, but of course enforces a large reduction in the megapixel count due to cropping down to APS-C format.
 
The AF-P FX 70-300 4.5-5.6 is really good. Make sure its the FX and the AF-P version, I think it retails for $599 new. It's silent and fast focusing, and really sharp. Main optical drawback is light falloff wide open but thats easy to correct.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top