( 8 reviews )
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Posted: 04-27-2008
In general I agree with previous reviwers, but not about sharp. To be sure that it was not my hand that afected the sharp, I did a test. Using a tripod I did a picture with 70-300 at 135mm and after with a 18-135mm (the one that cames with the D80) at 135mm too. The camera used was a D80 with the same adjusts and subject for buth lenses. The 18-135mm is much sharper them 70-300mm at 135mm. For sure I will sell 70-300mm and go to a VR.
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Posted: 02-26-2008
I got this lens some time ago, after several shots I can conclude somethings on this lens. It's sharp at 70mm, not so sharp from 90 to 200mm, and soft from any focal lenght farther than 200mm. The build quality is good, a bit heavy but ok to my taste. The only ED element included in this lens is not enough for avoiding chromatic aberrations, I've heard and read that either the G or D version delivery pretty the same results. The macro performance is poor, you can not go closer than 5ft. The lens is good for shooting birds, as u should know, the lens mounted on a camera with APCs sensor goes to 450mm at long end. Focus speed is also one of its weakest points, mostly from 200 to 300mm. I have some sample images on my pbase gallery (see link below) images posted on that galley have been edited and resized to a lower resolution, and most of them were taken at 300mm. The bokeh is good although you wouldnt like to see the orignal pictures since the softness and the lack of contrast is clear when u see images at full res. [...] Im leaning towards the buy of the newest version, the nikon 70-300mm VR. Hope I could get one soon, in order to post a brief opinion.
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Posted: 12-14-2007
This is a truly outstanding bargain (for those who are willing to forgo the VR option of its' twice more expensive sibling). At F8 and below this lens produces results that are indistinguishable from 4-6 times more expensive 70(80)-200F2.8 lens. And it's very light and compact. I've been using it for 5 years or so, and, as you can see in photos I posted in "Customer images" section it was very good to me. You really can not go wrong with this purchase. A couple words of caution though, as with all consumer zooms one has to be careful about shot discipline (to avoid motion blur). That does limit the use of this lens for handheld pictures to fairly bright weather (or higher ISOs). It does benefit from stepping down a little. But for the price, its' an unbeatable bargain (IMHO).
