Nikon 75-300mm zoom lens review

The 75-300mm focal length can be considered as a new zoom member in the MF/AF Nikkor lens family back during the initial first few years after converting their attention to go full swing on development of autofocusing for both camera and lenses. Prior to the AF Zoom Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8s ED of 1988 which complimented the successful debut of the Nikon F4(s), the only tele-zoom in the AF zoom Nikkor lens group was only the AF 70-210mm f/4.0S (and the AF Zoom Nikkor 70-210mm f/4~5.6S later introduced a year in 1988); so, strategically,at the tele-zoom category, there was a need to fill up with more lens types and choices for photographers too. Nikon has hence, cleverly modified the old classic Zoom Nikkor 50-300mm f/4.5 ED which was the first lens in the market to offer an amazing 6X zoom ratio and reintroduced with an affordable package in this new 4X zoom option. The AF Zoom Nikkor 75-300mm f/4.5~5.6S was introduced as an autofocus Nikkor zoom in 1989. It adopts a single all in one control for zoom action while autofocus in the camera control the other aspect. The manual focusing control ring at the outer section of the lens reverts the lens as a two-touch zoom during manual focus.

The manual focusing control ring at the outer section of the lens reverts the lens as a two-touch zoom during manual focus.

The lens aperture of this zoom lens uses variable aperture method to keep the zoom lens compact. Meaning ? At the widest focal length (75mm onwards) the maximum aperture is a f/4.5 while the longest end of the focal length is reduced to f/5.6. If it has been a constant aperture of f/4.5 throughout, the dimension of the zoom will inevitably much larger in size and weight. The immediate impact of such a design is it might restrict its usage in all round application in less favorable light. The only effective way in compromising such flaw is to use a higher speed film (or in the case of Digital SLRs, adjust the ASA to higher value). Internally, the lens uses a rather heavy and complex optical construction in a 13 elements in 11 groups design - typical of a high zoom ratio lens. The front lens element is quite large in proportion to othere zoom lens type with larger aperture. The filter attchement size is a popular 62mm and makes it easy to share with other system filter accessories. Nikon has a dedicated lens hood HN-24 for this lens which can also be used on a few others Nikkor zoom lenses such as the AF zoom Nikkor 70-210mm lens group.

<<<-- The startup focal length of 75mm with variable focal length selection can ve quite versatile for studio or location shots. Credit: Image courtesy of Shakeel Ahmad, who maintains his online PORTFOLIO at PBASE. Image copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Physically, this AF Nikkor zoom lens can be regarded as very well made optic. With care and attention in every details and features that are frequently used by photographers are well illustrated to make the lens easy to use and comfortably operated. Nikon has even designed a built-in tripod collar to permit easy facilitating of vertical and horizontal shooting as they could have realized the limitation in the lack of lens speed in the design. The tripod is not removable type but it fits handsomely without gettting in your way during shooting. In terms of physical built quality, I don't think anyone would disagree if ever the current range of entry or mid range AF Nikkor zoom lenses still maintain this set standard, no one will ever made so much of complaints over all these years. It feels solid and rugged, well balance in your hand or on camera. The rigid feel is heavily missed in today's modern AF zoom Nikkor lenses (just take the example of the AF Nikkor 70-300mm f/4~5.6 ED that followed in 1998 and you will probably understand what I meant in the differences between the two versions which share many similarities in their basic lens spec.

Measuring 6.5" without lens extension, the lens can be considered quite long in its length. It separates into 5 sections from the filter attachment ring, manual focusing ring, zoom ring with phase focus control, the lens mounting tripod ring and the aperture ring on the other end with the lens mount attached. Every segment is well placed and cleverly designed to permit photographer not mixing its respective function and control even with the eyes attaching to the eyepiece. The zoom settings are marked from 75mm (green) to 100mm, 135mm, 200mm and 300mm. As there may be zoom variation shifting, Nikon actually provide two indexes at the aperture ring where the green index is for 75mm and yellow for the 300mm. Similarly, beside the focusing index, the compensated indexes are provided for infra on 75mm and 135mm. This lens is also being produced as a native Ai-S lens and makes it fully compatible with any manual focus Nikon SLRs with a basic spec of an Ai-meter coupling for full aperture exposure control and meter reading.

Photographically with its fairly extensive 31° 40' ~ 8° 10' variable picture angles, and combining favorable lighting, the lens can be very versatile for a wide varieties of application. Literally, it will fill up the frame with mid distant sport figure.

One of the technical highlight of this AF Zoom Nikkor 75-300mm f/4~5.6S lens is with its close focus ability - which is performing not too bad either, where at 5 feet, you can keep a safe shooting distance from the subject without worrying you are being distracting. The lens can only close focus to approx. 9.9' (3m) in autofocus mode, but when shifting to manual focus, this lens can permit MACRO SHOOTING (indicated via the orange macro line on the manual focusing ring). The amazing capability of the macro mode is, it maintains active across the entire zoom range for such magnification. There is also a focus limiter on the zoom ring where you can control or limit the focusing in order to avoid the lens wasting power on hunting for focus. Overall, I heard many good remarks as well as witnessing some very high quality images presented by owners taken with this Nikkor tele-zoom lens. It has top rated physical counteraction which matches its optical performance. The lens handling couldn't be better except that you may require a little extra light favorably adds to your shooting. Lastly, it is not a D-spec AF Nikkor zoom lens, if you are using the latest in a Nikon SLR - you may have some compromise to make (such as take the case of a digital Nikon D50 SLR:- it says ".. for other AF Nikkor: All functions supported except 3D Color Matrix Metering II ..").But as I did a recentprice indicative search at Ebay - most lenses are priced at a real bargain between USD180-00 to 230-00 which makes it a worthwhile consideration for your older Nikon AF or MF SLRs too.

Information on this AF Zoom Nikkor is scarce on the web and even the Nikon official site's comprehensive archive of lens product section was not listed. Hope these complied info helps a few distressful souls out there.

Credit: Special thank to Poon Photo, IPOH who generously loaned me this lens for a while to take some photos specifically for this site construction.

A container cargo vessel at Hong Kong, shooting through the bus window across the bridge at dawn. BLue tint, relfection etc.....Interim photo ONLY. Looking for contributing images to subsitute this.

Technical Specification for Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 75-300mm f/4.5~5.6S zoom lens:-

Type of lense: Autofocus Nikkor zoom lens with built-in CPU and a metal rear Nikon bayonet mount Focal length: 75mm to 300mm; Maximum aperture: f/4.5~5.6; Minimum Aperture: f/32 Lens construction:

13 elements in 11 groups Picture angle: 31° 40' ~ 8° 10' Focal length scale: 100mm, 135mm, 200mm and 300mm Diaphragm: Fully automatic, Focus control: Autofocus with focus limiter on the zoom ring; Manual via manual focusing ring Zoom control: Via one-touch push and pull zoom ring Distance scale: Graduated in meters and feet/inches from 3m (9.9') to infinity (OO); MACRO: Closest distance 1.5m (5') for all zoom range in manual focus Distance information: Output into camera body with CPU interface system IS NOT POSSIBLE with this lens; Option for manual focus provided

Aperture scale:f/4.5/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22 and f/32 on both standard and aperture-direct-readout scales Mount: Nikon bayonet mount with CPU contacts; Attachment size: 62mm (P=0.75mm); Meter Coupling Prong: NONE Depth of Field Scales: NIL Reproduction ratio: approx. 1:5.6 Minimum aperture lock: Provided via slide switch Lens Coating: NIC (Nikon Integrated Coating) Exposure measurement: Via full-aperture method with Ai cameras or cameras with CPU interface system; via stop-down method for other cameras Infrared compensation index: Two white indexes are provided for the 75mm and 135mm focal length setting Standard accessories: 62mm front lens cap; Rear lens cap LF-1; Hard lens case CL-36

Optional Accessories: Lens hood HN-24; 62mm screw-in filters etc. Dimensions: Approx. 72mm dia. x 166mm (6.6 inches) Weight: Approx. 850g (1 Ib 14 oz) Usable Tele-Converters: - TC-201S; TC-14A (note: MANUAL focus only and when suing aperture smaller than f/11 with high shutter speed, uneven exposure may occur.* Other information: A. Be careful not to soil or damage the CPU contacts. Do not attach the following accessories to the lens, as they might damage the lens' CPU contacts: Auto Extension Ring PK-1, Auto Extension Ring PK-11*, K1 Ring, Auto Ring BR-4**.

A clever use of close-up capability of the 75-300mm zoom by Werner Steyn.....Credit: Image courtesy of WERNER Steyn from South Africa,who maintains his online PORTFOLIO as well as at DPchallenge. Image copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

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Waiting for my turn, one day....." ... Aloha, this was taken with said lens at a local horse show at 250mm setting. Kodak 400 asa on a Nikon F4. Also good example of the Matrix metering doing it's stuff..." - Nick Blank - Credit: Image NICK BLANK from from Hawaii Image copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

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Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number: http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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Credit: To all the good people who has contributed their own experience, resources or those who are kind enough granting us permission to use their images appeared in this site Note:certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures, sales manuals or publications published by Nikon over the years and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their work for educational purposes. The creator of the site will not be responsible for may discrepancies arise from such dispute except rectifying them after verification.

What is Nikon 70

The AF Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6G is a lightweight and versatile option for those seeking affordable telephoto zoom capability. With a 300mm maximum focal length (450mm equivalent on DX-format cameras) it brings even the most distant action closer. It's an ideal lens for candids, travel and sports photography.

What does 75 300mm zoom lens mean?

Because this is a zoom telephoto lens, it allows you to adjust the focal length anywhere from 75mm, all the way to 300mm. For an astrophotography project, you need the focal length to stay fixed at a specific focal length for a long period of time (even multiple nights).

What is the optical zoom equivalent of 300mm?

Here is an example: For a 300mm lens, divide 300 by 50 to get 6x magnification. Or divide 300 by 100 to get 3, then multiply 3 x 2 to get 6x. Another example: For a 100mm lens, divide 100mm by 100 to get 1.