NOTE: A full review of this lens can be found in my Nikon 55-300mm VR Review article.
The last announcement from today is the Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX lens, an update to the existing Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED VR DX lens that was announced back in March of 2007. The lens was announced together with the Nikon D3100, because it is a DX lens and will most likely be a part of the future two lens kit for the D3100.
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX Specifications
Here are the lens specifications:
- Focal length: 55-300mm
- Maximum aperture: f/4.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture: f/22-29
- Lens construction: 17 elements in 11 groups (with two ED glass elements and one HRI lens element)
- Angle of view: 28°50’ – 5°20’
- Minimum focus distance: 1.4 m/4.59 ft.(throughout the entire zoom range)
- Maximum reproduction ratio: 0.28x
- No. of diaphragm blades: 9 (rounded)
- Filter-attachment size: 58mm
- Diameter x length (extension from lens mount): Approximately 76.5 x 123 mm/3.0 x 4.8 in.
- Weight: Approximately 530 g/18.7 oz.
- Supplied accessories: 58mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-58, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-57, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1020
And additional information from the Nikon press release:
The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR fills a variety of roles as the perfect lens for family picture takers and photo enthusiasts alike. This lens is the ideal complement to the 18-55mm VR DX-format camera kit lens, such as the one coupled with the just-released D3100 D-SLR camera, and provides users with an affordable way to achieve super zoom focal lengths from 82.5mm to 450mm (35mm equivalent). The 55-300mm VR lens brings the benefits of longer focal lengths into range for users when capturing distant subjects, such as at athletic events, family gatherings and summer vacations. Additional features include a Tripod Detection Mode, which allows users to keep VR image stabilization activated and automatically compensates for minute vibrations when mounted on a tripod. Additionally, a High Refractive Index (HRI) lens element is implemented to keep the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture. The optical construction consists of two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G vs Nikon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G
Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX MTF Charts (Left: Wide, Right: Tele):
To compare, here are the Nikon 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX MTF Charts (Left: Wide, Right: Tele):
In terms of performance, both look very similar to me. The Nikon 55-300mm seems to have a slight edge in the corners when shot wide open at the widest zoom of 55mm, but everything else looks the same, even on the telephoto side. From the charts, we can see that the Nikon 55-300mm performs equally well @ 300mm as the 55-200mm @ 200mm, which is certainly good news, because those extra 100mm will certainly be handy for distant subjects.
The Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR DX will sell for $399.95 and is already available for pre-ordering from B&H.
About Nasim Mansurov
At present, the cost of 70-300 vr at amazon is $520. Since the difference in price between these two isn’t very high ($120), I believe that DX only 55-300 will need to perform similar to 70-300 (which works on FX also).
In my opinion, Nikon should have offered this for around $320.
Amit, I agree – the 70-300mm outperforms the 55-300mm lens.
Hi, I love your site. Very informative…
I am from South Africa, I have a new found interest in bird photography. Thousands of beautiful bird species to take pictures from in the bush ( our way of saying for nature reserve ).
I currently have Nikon D40 that came with 28-55mm 3.5/5.6… It treated me well in the urban and parties place. I often come home disappointed from the bush where the birds are too far away and i often crop it in PS for close up.
It’s time for me to invest in a new 1, but with a limited budget. I have an interest in this lenses you reviewed above or 55-200mm. Is it worth getting this lens for bird photography and will I get a nice bokeh or I must save for a while to invest for 55-300mm or 70-300mm ( cant remember) f2.8?
The other thing is, the birds in the bush dont get startled and fly away that easily, so it easy for me to get close to get a good shot and look for a good spot that will print out a good bokeh.
Sorry if it’s a long comment but I have a lot of conflict inside me and I am hoping you give me some advices.
Thanx…
PS: I love that pic you took of your two sons with a beautiful bokeh.
Dimitri, I would go for the 70-300mm lens for bird photography – it is better than the 55-300mm.
Can i use 55-300/70-300 with d5000?? i am currently using 18-105mm….plz help.
Can fx lens be used with d5000??
Chandradip, absolutely! Both will work perfectly fine.
Is 55-200 lens ok for bird photography ? I have a limited budget to afford only a 55-200 mm lens .