Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR
AF-S NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR
There is a lot of talk in the Nikon community right now, about which telephoto super-zoom lens to buy for a DX format Nikon digital slr camera. The AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR has been the accepted champion for some time, but Nikon has just thrown a new contender into the ring, by offering a smaller, lighter and less expensive, DX telephoto super-zoom, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.
The following is a comparison chart of the two lenses.
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR | AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR |
| 5.5x, 55-300mm telephoto zoom (equivalent to a focal length of 82.5 to 450mm in FX/35mm format) | 4.3x, 70-300mm telephoto zoom (used with a Nikon DX format camera, it is equivalent to a 105-450mm in FX/35mm format) |
| Vibration Reduction (VR II), SWM, A and M focusing, ED, HRI |
Vibration Reduction (VR II), SWM, M/A and M focusing, ED, IF |
| Price (US Distributor Retail) – $399.95 |
Price (US Distributor Retail) -$589.95 |
| Specifications |
|
| Focal length – 55-300mm |
Focal length – 70-300mm |
| Maximum aperture – f/4.5-5.6 |
Maximum aperture – f/4.5-5.6 |
| Lens construction – 17 elements in 11 groups (with two ED glass elements and one HRI lens element) |
Lens construction – 17 elements in 12 groups (with two ED glass elements) |
| Angle of view - Nikon DX format – 28°50’ – 5°20’ |
Angle of view - Nikon FX format – 34°20’ – 8°10’ Nikon DX format – 22°50’ – 5°20’ |
| Minimum focus distance – 1.4 m / 4.59 ft. (throughout the entire zoom range) | Minimum focus distance – 1.5 m / 4.9 ft. (throughout the entire zoom range) |
| Maximum reproduction ratio – 0.28x |
Maximum reproduction ratio – 0.25x |
| No. of diaphragm blades – 9 (rounded) |
No. of diaphragm blades – 9 (rounded) |
| Filter attachment size – 58mm |
Filter attachment size – 67mm |
| Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) - Approximately 76.5 x 123mm / 3.0 x 4.8 in. |
Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) - Approximately 80 x 143.5mm / 3.1 x 5.6 in. |
| Weight – Approximately 530 g / 18.7 oz. |
Weight – Approximately 745 g / 26.3 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 | Supplied accessories – 67mm Snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-67, Rear Lens Cap LF-1, Bayonet Hood HB-36, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1022 |
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED lens construction. ED lenses are in yellow.
AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR lens construction. ED lenses are in yellow.
I have the 70/300 VR and would not give it up. It is an amazing Sharp lens for what it is..just ask Jay Maisal