A lens can not be assessed in three sets but for all those reading is too troublesome, here the short version: The AF-S 70-300mm is processed very good for its price range and makes for good lighting conditions remarkably crisp images with authentic colors. The autofocus is quiet, fast and the image stabilizer does the job, especially with large focal lengths. At the upper end of the focal length, the image quality is unfortunately somewhat and this should also be sufficient light available, since the exposure time for photos with a free hand and low sensitivity, despite a good image stabilizer, may be too long. Here the examiner has only a tripod or firm support for the camera and lens. Those were four sets and now my experience with it in some detail: A professional photographer will hardly look at this price for a super telephoto lens, because it has the highest demands on their equipment and the results achieved with safety. Here the amateur photographer superior level but to the right place. I run the AF-S 70-300mm as an alternative to AF-S DX 55-300mm on a Nikon D5300, with 24 MP APS-C sensor and a crop factor of 1.5 (that were now many figures, data and facts). From there her I can not judge this lens in front of a full-frame sensor (yet). The focal length of my camera is thus 105-450mm so. My reason for buying was the already existing DX 55-200mm IF what I though for a "Locost" lens holder, but for a really good. So my simple but often lack the last 100mm focal length, especially when taking pictures of animals. Unlike the 55-200mm and 55-300mm which the AF-S 70-300mm is much better handled. Like the 55-300mm, it features a metal bayonet and has, apart from the focal length, almost the exact same specifications. But the AF-S 70-300mm still offers some advantages in my eyes: - It is not just limited to an APS-C sensor, the foresight on a full frame camera (maybe the D750?) - At an APS-C sensor thereby enters definitely no vignetting and I use only the best field of optical lenses, namely the middle. What has a positive effect on any distortion, where the 70-300mm since no major problems makes. The sharpness up to the edge is thus given absolutely. - The mechanics of the lens is tighter than with my four DX lenses. This applies to the zoom, as well as the focus ring. It feels valent and more accurately, for example, the AF-S DX 85mm macro which is not much inferior to (yes, that also has no zoom). - It is inner focusing and has a generous focus ring! The 18-55mm, 55-200mm and 55-300mm, the one uses rather just with autofocus, if you have ever tried so manually focusing. In addition, you can always manually intervene in the focus, which is not possible with the aforementioned DX lenses when AF-S 70-300mm. - It has, unlike the DX 55-300mm an active mode when the image stabilization. Also, I would by purchasing the DX 55-300mm 55-200mm displaced my beloved and I did not want to. The AF-S 70-300mm is due to its light intensity no racehorse and for action under difficult lighting conditions, you should perhaps you prefer something to fall deeper into their pockets and buy a Brighter (considerably more expensive) super-telephoto. In order to avoid criticism of the performance of this lens! The application determines the selection for me and since I use telephoto lenses only occasionally, just now came a 300mm F / 4 or better, for reasons of cost out of the question. In good lighting conditions gives me the AF-S 70-300mm amazingly sharp images that rankommen almost at fixed focal lengths. Only at the long end, so at 300mm, the quality leaves a little to more clearly in low light conditions. I can then even when unhappy caught motifs (dark backlit subjects and vice versa) detect slight chromatic aberration - when I look at the picture in full resolution, but that's better than ever before. The contrast is good for the focal length range, but can be expected to not compete with that of fixed focal length and also here the lighting conditions are critical. Really good pictures in low light are but a tripod and long exposure time accordingly quite possible. But then recommended static subjects rather than moving. Amazingly, I find the speed and noise of the autofocus. My 55-200 is not as fast and also louder. Here, too, shows a higher value compared to my DX lenses. However, it is occasionally inclined to "pump" when I eg anvisiere a little bird in the tree. I am not surprised at Astgewirr in the background, my 55-200 is there just a little good-natured. The image stabilizer is essential in the focal length for shooting off-hand and he does a remarkable job. If I can support myself somewhere, succeed so until 1 / 80s shots at 300mm and I have not the quietest hands. With such long exposure times, but I would always prefer the tripod. At this point I want to mention that my camera wants to achieve a shutter speed of 1 / 500s in the aperture priority with 300mm (450mm) focal length, for the good old rule, 1 / focal length in seconds for the maximum exposure time manually. This is to bring only well-lit designs out if you want to keep the sensitivity is low. I am very satisfied with the purchase, instead of the AF-S DX 55-300mm and repent too far to not much higher for my term Price (405 here at Amazon). For this you get a fair bit more quality and given the opportunity to tighten the lens even before a full-frame sensor. Only the size and compared with DX lenses higher weight is a little habit to. The few weaknesses can I as an amateur photographer cope well, especially here provide only my two fixed focal lengths slightly better results in terms of sharpness and contrast. My DX 55-200mm is however slightly superior in sharpness and contrast at the long end and the magnification ratio is slightly larger. For this, the 70-300mm can see further and ever since the day at the zoo, it has at least 4.5 stars earned. From sympathy to the mark I round on. It is highly recommended for the discerning customer at not too high a cost in my eyes. Refers, as I said, everything on the Nikon DX Format. I had almost forgotten I had from the first test photo an NC filter in front of the front lens and can not complain about blurring or other disturbing influences.
