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ASSESSMENT:
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Optics: *** - ****
Mechanical Quality: ** - ***
Functionality: ** - ***
Price-Performance: *** - ****
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Overall rating: ***
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GENERAL:
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The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm / 4.5-5.6 ED VR (hereinafter: 55-300mm) is a telephoto lens with variable focal length (zoom =). It can be used with DX sensors exclusively to Nikon DSLR. (The picture angle of 55-300mm on a DX DSLR corresponds approximately to that of a 80-450mm lens on a film camera Mind:.. It's really just the angle of the actual focal length is changing just as the light intensity because both values Is it physical quantities that are independent of the dimensions of the camera sensor.) When used on DSLR with small format sensors (called Nikon FX), enter the 55-300mm but very significant vignetting and even circumcisions full image circle.
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POSITIVE:
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The 55-300mm is very inexpensive for a telephoto lens that covers such a wide range of focal lengths. It thus "burns" virtually no money, if one separates if not satisfied after some time of this lens and it offers on the secondary market. In addition, the 55-300mm is lightweight and of compact dimensions, ie fits well into smaller camera bags, the 70-200mm / 2.8 G ED VR II could not accommodate such a "monster" like the Nikkor AF-S and AF Nikkor already a S 70-300mm / 4.5-5.6 G ED VR may have reached their limits.
The optical characteristics of the lens are from 55 to 200 mm Bearing in mind the low price surprisingly good. Up to 250 mm, the lens still beats very bravely. Only then breaks the visual quality a little stronger, but remains at least in bright light to the long end on quite acceptable level under practical conditions, even if it (under laboratory conditions =) certainly might be a thing or frown beyond the 200 mm measurement. In the center of the images are good to normal photographing up to 200 mm of very good, then still of decent sharpness and satisfactory contrast. It hides at least one to one and a half steps from, also the sharpness at the edges improves visible, which proves especially at the long end, ie beyond 200 mm, to be very beneficial.
Knows how to please the quality of the representation of the focus area identified. Even if the absorbed. Bokeh is not the term "ultra-creamy" deserves so is the 55-300mm from about 70 mm the blurred background pleasant "quiet". Especially with zoom lenses is not a foregone conclusion.
Optical distortions such as barrel and pincushion distortion curvature hardly occur perceptible and can be corrected by software easily.
Flare ("lens flares") in backlight and chromatic aberration (CA) have, at least when using the supplied lens hood, thankfully, as under practical conditions proved unproblematic and easy to control. CA can be also removed by means of software well.
Nikon's anti-shake "VR" making decent work, but can not override the laws of physics. While it succeed at 300 mm regular recordings with 1/160 sec. From the free hand without any judder. If you do not so look carefully and with max. A4 large print his photos contented, also goes by 1/100 of a second. But even longer times are at 300 mm definitely only with good supporting (bean bag) or tripod really realize without shaking, no matter how full-bodied Nikon's marketing department "up to four exposure values" promises compensation.
Unlike most other low budget lenses the 55-300mm not only has a bayonet mount made of metal, but also good protection against dust and moisture. In this Nikon is absorbed. To recognize the weather and dust on the black rubber seal around the bayonet mount.
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NEUTRAL:
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Price includes the 55-300mm, as well as its smaller "full plastic brothers" 18-55mm II and 18-55mm VR, 18-105mm VR and 55-200mm VR to the lower end of the Nikon-consumer lenses that not long ago more are manufactured in costly Japan, but en masse tumble in Thailand or China off the production line. Once you take it in hand, you realize that virtually everything about this lens made of plastic. In this price range a generous use of high-quality brass is impossible. The build quality is but overall pretty good, even if "rock solid" certainly should not be the first word that comes to one when touched this objective in mind. Even the comparison with "mid-size lenses" as Nikon's AF-S 70-300mm / 4.5-5.6 G ED does not consider it stand in terms of material quality and feel.
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NEGATIVE:
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Unfortunately, there are some aspects that are not able to please or convince the 55-300mm.
Let us begin once the low light intensity. F / 4.5 maximum aperture as applicable only from 55 to 90 mm. From 90 mm continues with f / 4.8 up to 135 mm, followed by f / 5.0 to about 200 mm, f / 5.2 to just 240 mm and at the end is f / 5.6 to 300 mm. In addition, one must consider that a convincing image quality requires a stopping down by at least one stage. Thus one is de facto already at f / 6.3 to f / 8.0, and this is really only acceptable if you shoot mostly static subjects in good light or from a tripod.
Autofocus can best be described with the adjective "portly." This complacency is hardly surprising. Because instead of even with the cheaper Nikkor AF-S DX 55-200mm / 4-5.6 G IF-ED VR internal focusing employed in which does not change the overall length of the lens to focus the camera, pushes or pulls the 55-300mm his inner tube out or into it. And this movement speed setting costs and moreover also causes mechanical noise that the name "Silent Wave autofocus" mockery. In addition, the auto-focus itself on really powerful AF module of the D7100 takes unduly long until he found his target precisely and adapted to this.
Unfortunately, it is also not easy to intervene manually in the auto focus. Since the 55-300mm not FTM-focus (FTM = full-time manual) has, manual focus must be explicitly enabled on the lens by means of slide from position A to M. Otherwise mechanical damage threaten the AF system of the lens.
It also sucks that the front lens rotates when focusing. This makes the use of filters, especially of circular polarizing filters, difficult if not impossible or even with a photographer with patience to a time-consuming affair.
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CONCLUSION:
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I tend to like expensive lenses like the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm / 2.8 G ED VR II rather than with them to enumerating the negative points mostly limited to two, namely the high weight and the high price. And even the two aspects you can still defend as "appropriate" in light of the benefits. ;-)
In contrast, the 55-300mm leaves a mixed impression. On the one hand, it is quite compact and lightweight and offers superior optical performance and a decent anti-shake performance. On the other hand disqualify its low brightness and its weak autofocus and the lack of an FTM focus it entirely as a lens for fast photography. An residences on birds or other small animals fast with great flight distance is practically impossible. If you recommend someone this lens as a working tool for sports and action photography, so this man would probably cope before taken on the arm. Because in addition to a high light intensity and a fast, accurate autofocus with manual emergency intervention it lacks the 55-300mm also to mechanical solidity.
One may say that the 55-300mm is a lens that primarily aimed at budget-oriented fair weather photographer or telephoto occasion photographers who travel mostly in good light so under practical aspects. "You get what you pay for", this rule can not override also advantageous Nikon DX-telephoto to 300mm. A recommendation can therefore be pronounced only with the above-mentioned restriction "fair-weather lens".
Overall, I consider therefore three stars for a proper assessment.
PS: In the meantime I have sold the 55-300mm again and instead of little more money a used Nikon / 4.5-5.6 AF-S Nikkor 70-300mm acquired G IF-ED VR. The AF is much faster and more accurately, allowing the FTM control of AF and offers in the range between 200 and 300 mm m. E. even a slightly better image quality. A detailed review will follow later, if I worked a little longer with the "new" lens.
