Customers frequently mention the exceptional image quality and impressive zoom capabilities of the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED Telephoto Zoom Lens. Many also praise its ease of use and effective vibration reduction. However, some users note that the lens is somewhat heavy and its performance can be affected in low-light conditions. A few also mention that the price point may be a consideration for some buyers.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 323 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Image quality, Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Money Shot
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought this lens for a local event which I try to attend annually. I have a 55-200 lens, but I wanted tighter shots of aircraft and candid close-ups. I got some beautiful images. Photography is my hobby, but I have to say that this lens got me the money shot I wanted. This lens got me exactly what I needed... for now :)
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Image quality
Cons mentioned:
Low light performance
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Lens worked outstanding for football and baseball
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Used this lens to shoot 6 football seasons under the sun, and 3 baseball seasons. Lens doesn't perform well after the sun goes down. But under the light, focuses very fast and produces quality images.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Image quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Good lens
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had two trips to different locations which afforded me different types of photo opportunities. This lens has been extremely good in taking pictures in both low light deep in the woods and bright light on the beach. Pictures have turned out as if you were standing there looking at the scene. The stabilizer is excellent when taking pictures with no tripod.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Vr
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Crisp and clear!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This lens is amazing! Pictures are snapped very quickly. The VR is so great! Very happy with the way this lens performs.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Zoom
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good Lens for Nature Pictures
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have used this lens for several years. I have used it with d5100 and currently d5300. It is a good lens for a hobbyist like myself who enjoys taking Animal pictures.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great camera for a beginner
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I picked this lens up to go with my D7100 for taking action photo's of sports. I've used it for 3 football, 3 baseball, and two marching band seasons. Great lens, zoom from the goal line to the 50 yard line and further. I've photographed plays at the opposite end zone, over 100 yards away, while the players were at the goal line. I shoot the the batter from 100 yards in the outfield.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Love this lens
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
My husband bought this for my birthday, and I couldn't be happier! I love being able to zoom in so close! I took a fantastic moon photo that I just love!
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great lens
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I have enjoyed this lens since I got it. I have taken some nice pictures of things I just couldn't get close to. Some great pics of wildlife and some awesome pics of the moon.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Image quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Great lense for distance
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is the second Nikon 70-300 lens I have owned. This lens has allowed me to capture excellent pictures of wolves in Yellowstone and Eagles in Jekyll. The first lens lasted 5 years. I would recommend adding this lens to your camera package.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
this lens rocks
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I like the lens and would tell a friend so if you thinking of what lens to bug this one is the one to get
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Image quality, Vr
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A great lens to have!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I'm just getting started in photography and don't have a whole lot of experience using a DSLR, but I've used this lens several times, and I've found it to be very easy to use, and the results have been excellent. It seems like it will be a vital piece of equipment to have and I'm very glad I got it. Also, it takes really excellent pictures with out using a tripod, I'm assuming thanks to the vibration reduction, which I'm incredibly glad it has, it makes using this lens that much more versatile and easy.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Ease of use, Image quality, Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Lens
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Great for action shots, nature and wildlife. Autofocus quick, easy to operate and a solid well made lens.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Auto focus, Image quality
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Super Lens! Amazing pictures for the price!
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought this lens from Best Buy based on all of the other reviews, and I am not disapointed with it at all. I took it in the backyard, and shot some pictures of birds in my neighbors yard, and some squirels running down the fence. it was mid-day and there was good lighting. The pictures came out awesome. BTW using the lens on a D-60. Later that night I took the lens to a High School Football game and in the first half, the sun was still up and the pictures were once again awesome. I was very pleased. After the sun went down the lens slowed down considerably and even with the SB-600 flash there was still blurriness. But, i knew this going into the deal. I took it to a skateboard park over the weekend and shot 150 pictures with it, and 130 of them were keepers. The images are very clear, sharp, and the colors are amazing. I review the images on an HP w2408h monitor. when the lighting is good, you can't beat the lens. The price is amazingly low for the quality. i have no issues with lens creep either. focuses fast, and quietly. i don't find it too heavy or anything else. I'm taking it to a kids soccer game on Saturday and expect to be thrilled once again. I don't know if i'm being fair only giving it 4 stars for image quality. But the light has to be right otherwise it suffers.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Pricey... but worth the price
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had this lens now for 6 months (use it with my Nikon D5000) and am extremely satisfied with it. In particular I've used it at my kid's sporting events in addition to college and pro sporting events where everyone comments that they can't believe how good the pictures are.
It captures sharp images from a distance under good lighting conditions (daylight or good stadium lighting). I have many 16" x 20" photo prints framed on my wall in which I zoomed and cropped to get the desired image -- the image quality is great.
As far as use of the lens, the autofocus is quick, sharp, and accurate. The vibration reduction is also a major plus. The lens is relatively large but I've never felt that it was too heavy or unwieldy (I do not use a monopole or tripod when shooting).
If you want serious photos give consideration to investing in this lens. It is pricey but you will be very pleased with the results.
BTW, also be sure to check the camera policy with college and pro stadiums before bringing this with yo. Some have a policy against telephoto lenses.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Auto focus, Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Very good lens
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Took back the 80-400mm lens because it would not auto focus with my d60. Exchanged for this 70-300mm lens and I am very happy with it. Sure its not 400mm but still has good zoom and is alot lighter. Anyone who wants good zoom without paying a arm and leg should check this out. Another cool feature I like is the manuel/auto focus, you can do both at the same time.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Vr, Zoom
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Worth every penny of $589
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This lense does what it is suppose to...give decent hand held images at long focal lengths. It does have VR2 technology built in and therefore makes some noise when using it. I use this lense on my D7000 without any problems with field of view or weight. The included picture was taken hand held at 300mm focal length. Cropped down to size for easy transfer.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Image quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great Lens for Sports Photography
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I picked this up to go with my Nikon D7100, and I'm glad I did. Very affordable lens for the quality photo's it can acquire. I used it to photograph my son's football games last season, and his current baseball season. It beats the Canon Powershot SX50 that I used last year.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Weight
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Lens is Okay, but there's a Better Way
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This was my first medium super-telephoto lens and I've learned a lot since buying it. My goal at the time I purchased this lens was to use it in tandem with my 18-200mm. What I should have done was either kept the 18-200mm and purchased the 55-300mm instead (and saved at least $100) or spent an extra $100-$150 and purchased the 18-300mm instead, thereby also replacing two lenses with one in my bag.
Hindsight is 20/20, though, so here's what I can tell you about the 70-300mm. It is sharp at low to medium lengths. At about 230mm it begins to lose focus. This is in part due to my tendency to tremble a bit. It is a surprisingly heavy lens for its size. I don't use this lens as much as I should-- familiarity with lenses can often create comfort and promote skill, and I should take my own advice.
Since the lens is a 4.5-5.6G pictures are often darker than if shooting with a 3.5-5.6G. This is something to be aware of when lighting conditions are changing. Post-production can help: don't be afraid to use it.
My goal with this lens was to get closer to whales and birds. Birds are a bit blurry, though this is partly due to the natural tendency of birds-- especially the little ones-- to always keep moving. I'm saving my pennies for the new 80-400mm, but at more than $2,300 it is a huge jump in price from this model. A difference in quality is expected.
Bottom line: skip the 70-300mm... if you need the range and can't go to an 80-400mm or 150-600mm, choose the 55-300mm for less money, or the 18-300mm for more money and eliminate the need for the 18-200mm in the process.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Vr
Cons mentioned:
Weight
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent Moon Details
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought this lens for my Nikon D7100 instead of getting it with the kit lens. Well worth the price. It has the Vibration reduction, which is great when taking hand held shots, but you definitely need to turn it off when you are taking photos on a Tripod. It's a little bit heavy to carry around your neck but it's not horrible.
Just being completely new to photography, I was amazed with the amount of detail that I was able to get when taking shots of the moon.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Auto focus, Image quality, Vr
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Sharp lens.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This lens is a great value. Very sharp. It focuses fast, but if you need 2.8 apeture in low light this will not get you there. That's a known limitation when buying the lens though. The lens weight balances nice on my D80 and so far is a good combo. I think it would suit some of the newer generation DX cameras well, especially if they have good high ISO performance. You can squeak out even better low light shots with that and the VR. Which works great.