AF-P Nikkor 70-300mm F4.5-5.6E ED VR lens paired with the Nikon Z6 - Thoughts

[@mjak993]

Sadly, I have to disagree with you on not recommending the lens for the Z system since there is STILL (as of September 2022) no comparable native lens for the Z mount... not even on Nikon's future roadmap. Sure, there is the 100-400 S which is a beast of a tele zoom - but for like thrice the price even with the adapter factored in (four times if you already got the FTZ in a kit), and with limited availability. Of course if you already have the old 70-300 VR, there's little reason to upgrade for another F-mount version of it. But if you (like me) had opted for the Tamron 70-300 VC back in the day for your Nikon DSLR (which worked brilliantly on that system), that will now be absolute rubbish on your new Z camera and there will not be a firmware update to fix the useless dogsh*t AF. :( There's just no Z replacement in sight at even a semi-comparable price point. So yeah, I partially agree - definitely don't buy this lens for amazing bokeh. But that's not what any of the older 70-300 versions were ever meant to do, either! Keeping that in mind, I think it is nice step forward - several useful improvements, and obviously very little in the aspect for what it never was designed for. If you're on a budget, it is still the best cheap tele zoom option for Z IMHO. Killer AF even in low light situations on my lowly Z5, very good VR interoperability with the IBIS, and it wouldn't break the bank. I really would recommend it for most people.

[@cmtravels]

Hi and thank you for your comment! This detailed comment needs a decent response! I will endeavour to do so as soon as we are back from holiday! 😊👍

[@AlainCh2.]

@@cmtravels >Wow!! What a long Holliday !!! ( Lucky man ) I'm buying FTZII + this AF-P lens 5.6E for my Z30 to complete the stable: Z 18-140; Z 18-50. Sold the Z 50-250. I kept the 18-50 for the pocket photos. 😀 Mainly I shoot Macro using for that Meike rings. . Did you try it on Macro shot ?

[@kevinrichardson621]

I have the Z6 with this lens, great pairing.

[@matstraka]

I was ready to buy this lens together with FTZ for my Z6 II, but decided not to after your video. Many pros to consider (good zoom range, price..), but you made some really good points. Whole idea behind buying Z6II (I'm coming from Canon M50) was not to do compromises. It looks like amazing lens for the price, but I think I'd rather go for Z 50 mm this time. Keep up the good work, I will definitely check your other videos.

[@cmtravels]

Hi straka.photos thanks so much for your comment! I appreciate you taking the time. Happy to help. We will be releasing some more videos over the next few weeks using the FTZ adapter with the 500 AFP lens as well as the 70-200 EF F4 on the Z6II!! So make sure you have subscribed and have the notification bell on!

[@MOAB-UT]

Nice video. What lens do you recommend? I have 18-149, 50mm Nikkors. I want more reach- I am open to prime but most like zooms like this one. Primes are also pricey and heavy.

[@cmtravels]

This 70-300 is really good and I would highly recommend it! Personally I like primes as they suit my needs better so I would favour the 300 AF-P but its more pricey!

[@mitchwitt9944]

Did you get a clicking noise when VR selected?

[@cmtravels]

Hi Mitch, thank you for your comment. No as far as I recall no clicking noise…

[@fixitright9709]

I'll put purchase this very lens new eight months ago and worked flawlessly on my d750 until last week and the focus operation has completely stopped? The lens will make a subtle beep when focus is activated but no movement of the focus mechanism at all my other lenses work perfectly on my d750 ,do you have any idea or have heard of this problem? Thanks much for any reply

[@cmtravels]

Hi Fixitright... sorry to hear this. I have not heard this is a problem. Sorry I cant be more help.

[@fixitright9709]

@@cmtravels thanks for your reply last year, I sent the lens back to Nikon under warranty and they replace the Focus motor then all was well until a month went by then the aperture diaphragm motor failed,#$%$, Nikon then replace that free-of-charge, good for them, all's been well so far I was just curious have you had any issues yet with your Nikon 70 to 300? You really can't beat the lens, fast autofocus, lightweight, reasonably Sharp...

[@drdazzj]

How would you compare the Nikon 70-300mm F4.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR to this lens? (For use on Z50 with FTZ adaptor)

[@cmtravels]

Hi Darren, Thank you for your comment. I am sorry I can’t help, I have not used the G version. I will do some research and see what I find for you.

[@ifthefooshitswearit.8384]

​@@cmtravelsany thoughts on the 2

[@Mr09260]

I loved this Lens when I used it with the D3S then D800 and Finally D850 >> Great Hiking lens

[@cmtravels]

Lovely to see your comments again Peter! Yes, I agree! An everything Lens really at great quality!

[@Mr09260]

I love my F2.8 Nikkor Z Lenses..Zoom with Prime quality , fast enough for everything apart from Milky way where I have the 20mm F1.8 S. Zooms are great as there are many lenses in one

[@cmtravels]

I hear you about the Zoom lenses and their versatility! Strangely I am finding the 35mm F1.8 S my go to at the moment. Thats just because of my needs I suppose. I have with me the F mount 400mm f2.8 FL and 500mm F4 FL lenses which I will be testing with the FTZ adapter hopefully in the coming days. It will be interesting to see the outcomes!

[@Mr09260]

@@cmtravels Jealous Much >> I really wanted the FLE version of the 500mm f4 for the D850 to replace my sold VR version

[@kpkjolso]

So, any about the final level of vr-stops when the af-p 70-300mm vr are used on Z6?

[@cmtravels]

Hi, thanks for the comment. I do not understand the comment. Are you saying the VR stops when using the Z6?

[@balaur9997]

Hi what you use for film this video 😊?

[@cmtravels]

It would have been a Z6II with the 35mm f1.8z lens. Hope that helps and thanks for the comment!

[@balaur9997]

@@cmtravels Ty

[@Rabe1907]

And where is the Nikon Z 70-300 ?

[@cmtravels]

Very good question!

[@Azeemmerchant]

awesome video...

[@cmtravels]

Hi Azeem! Thank you so much!

[@viceco2682]

Could I use this on a Nikon d3500?

[@cmtravels]

No reason it shouldn’t but check with the local photoshop folks first! 👍

[@lweleven3423]

I always thought the AF-P was a DX lens not a FX lens …

[@MOAB-UT]

it is DX made for APS-C- can be used on FF but will vignette hard

[@cmtravels]

Hi LWeleven! Thank you for your comment. Nope the are full frame lenses. 👍

[@cmtravels]

There are two versions. One is DX and the other is FX.

[@lweleven3423]

@@cmtravels I researched after and found one 👍

[@brucegreaves3204]

They do one of each,the full frame version is faster at f5.6 and has less plastic in its construction. Costs a bit more but will work in FX and DX

[@alonsohernandezbermudez975]

great videos

[@cmtravels]

Hi Alonso! Thank you so much!

[@bobchristensen4897]

I watched some of this video but really wanted to see samples. I ended up fast forwarding so if there was samples photos I didn't see them. I really hate when there is a lens review and all the host does is talk. I didn't give you a thumbs down but I didn't give you a thumbs up either. Probably won't what you vids again.

[@cmtravels]

@bobchristensen4897 thank you for your comment. At minute 6:10, 07:09, 06:75 you can see the sequence of images I took and my comments on them.

[@peterasq]

Got to 4:44 and gave up. Crappy review.

[@cmtravels]

Hi @peterasq - I am sorry you did not find the review very helpful. Please let me know if you require any information about the lenses and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Murray