Nikon 20061 AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED, Black

Even though I use DX, FX and Z (FX) camera bodies, I chose this lens over the much more expensive 14-24 and Z14-30 Nikon options as I wanted something small enough to be easy to take, able to easily take ND filters and, finally, compatible with my bodies. I had previously used the Nikon 18-35mm AF-S “G” lens that is highly regarded but, too often, 18mm just wasn’t wide enough.

This lens:
– is small
– is lightweight
– is relatively inexpensive
– takes standard 72mm threaded filters
– has VR
– focuses fast and silently
– like all AF-P lenses, is compatible with only a select number of Nikon bodies so research carefully
– offers a 15mm-30mm FX-equivalent ‘perspective’ (eFOV) on DX cameras
– (THE BIGGEST BONUS…) works particularly well in 1.2x crop mode on my D8*0 FX body from (without the lens hood) 10.5mm onward giving me FX 25MP image quality with AF, filters, VR, etc. with a true sub-13mm FX FOV. Wow!

10-20mm AF-P shooting notes:
– With distortion correction enabled, the rectilinear performance is (as you’d expect) very well corrected.
– The biggest flaw is that there is some residual chromatic aberration under some lighting conditions that can only be corrected in post.
– Straight-out-of-camera sharpness is perfectly fine for letter-size prints; for larger prints (tabloid and large format), files respond very well to sharpening in post (software).
– As mentioned, the lens works great on my D800 at 1.2x crop mode from about 10.5mm (again, without the hood) to 20mm. This mode is noticeably superior — and WIDER — compared to the lens’s performance in DX mode (even with my 24MP D7200) but performance on the D7200 and my Z7 in DX mode (20MPs) is still VERY GOOD! I’m not diminishing DX performance, just gushing over FX performance!

Caveats:
– Please be aware that shooting ultra-wide angle is not always about getting it all in. Among other things, it’s also about using the wide perspective to create relationships between different objects in the frame. Don’t blame the lens if your images don’t automatically excite you: On the other hand, the UWA enables a new realm of creative shooting.
– The residual chromatic aberration found in some images will be disappointing (it’s not an issue in every picture) but, in looking at the alternative lenses, none of them met all of my criteria, not even the very expensive Z 14-24mm (which is an extremely impressive optic and THE lens to get right now if UWA is an important element in your photographic pursuits).
– Edge performance in FX 1.2x crop mode is good but not perfect at 10.5mm (although it improves as one zooms in) but, in my observation of even Nikon’s Z 14-30mm, optical performance is not perfect at 14mm.
– Compatibility: As before, check carefully to ensure this lens is compatible with your bodies. My DX and FX bodies required firmware updates to be ‘compatible’ with AF-P lenses but I cannot turn off VR in either of those bodies: That inability has not demonstrated itself as a liability in the 3 months I have had the lens and, admittedly, I can turn off VR with my Z bodies so I always have an option.
– The unfortunate part with my Z bodies is I cannot use the lens in anything but DX mode but that’s a Z body issue and not a lens issue.
– On that last point, no switches for AF/MF or VR ON/OFF. Oh well. We know that going in.
– It is a slow f/4.5-5.6 aperture but you know that going in, too. Fortunately, in DX, things look pretty darned good at f/5.6: Combined with fantastic VR performance, some very slow shutter speeds are achievable handheld. Using 1.2x FX, things look from good to great from f/8-f11; daylight shooting is a breeze while extremely slow shutter speeds may require a tripod or some other form of camera support.

For my purposes, I’ll take the myriad benefits of this 10-20 DX lens over the very fine alternatives available (both Nikon and third-party). It may do the same for you.

This is a great lens. It is indeed very quiet and the focus is very fast.
After some use and practice, all my initial concerns with the lens are attributed to user error.
This is not a lens that works great in Auto Mode on the Nokin D5500. There is so much the camera can determine about your intentions.
For people considering the 55-200 vs this 70-300. This a bigger lens, there is no question about that. The 55-200 is easier to use and works perfectly in Auto Mode. However, in practice, I find the difference between 200 and 300 to be worthwhile for the extra effort. It took me a long time to decide if it would be worth upgrading to a 300 to get more reach (I own the 55-200). On paper, the difference is not huge, in practice I find it is.
But just to be clear, the lens still works fine in Auto mode. It takes a great picture in ideal conditions. I just don’t think it takes into account that at around 300 you often need more speed, even with stabilization.

A bit of a mixed bag here. To start with, this is a low-priced lens, and while it’s Nikkor, it’s got plastic mounts and generally not to the same high quality of some of the expensive Nikkor lenses. Does this matter? If you are using the lens a lot, then yes…the lens is more prone to breaking or issues with frequent handling. However, if you don’t swap lenses multiple times a day, then it’s not going to be an issue if you take due care. For most amateur and semi-pros, this isn’t an issue, but if you use lenses in this range a great deal it may be worth investing in a more robust lens.

Now the good. This lens fills a gap in the 10-20mm range that doesn’t have a lot of options. My widest lens prior to buying this 10-20 was a 16-35 zoom, from a well-known lens manufacturer (I do have a fisheye, but that’s for special shots). Having something that can cover down to 10mm is great, and while the “zoom” from 10-20 may not seem like much, it is. In reality, shots at less than about 14mm settings will cause some distortion (not caused by the optics, just he focal length), but it’s manageable. In tight quarters, the 10-20mm range is a great tool to have available. I’ve used this lens extensively in SE Asia shooting in crowded markets and street-vendor areas, where the short focal length makes the shot possible (something that my stock 35-70 zoom could not do justice to).

I use the 10-20 with two cameras, a standard high-end Nikon DSLR and the newer Z7 (with adapter to convert the mount to Z). With both cameras, the lens works fine (with full capabilities on the Z7, although spot-on focus is not really as big an issue with such short focal lengths). The lens doesn’t weigh much and is small enough to tuck into a pocket or small bag for portability. The shots I’ve taken with it have been clear, crisp, and lack edge distortion, even on the Z7. In practice, I suspect I use the 10-20 maybe 10% of the time in my shooting times, which is quite a bit, and I like this lens.

For the money, this is a great lens addition to your Nikon kit. The 10-20mm range may not be used often, but when you need it, it can really make the shot for you. I can handle the plastic construction, as there are not many really well made options near this price. If you like close-quarter shots, or want to have a lens in your camera bag for the odd shot that can use short focal lengths, this one won’t break the bank and delivers.

If you have a Nikon DX body, this is probably the best wide-angle option.

There’s lots of technical reviews, so here’s my completely nontechnical opinion:

This lens is stellar for the price.

You get a nice wide view, features like VR, and excellent sharpness in the center. Sure, the edges fall off at some apertures. Stop it down to f8-f11 and you’ll be grand. Unless your pixel-peeping or trying to make 5-foot long prints, you should be just fine.

Pay close attention to the compatibility chart. It won’t work with all Nikon DSLR’s, and your camera may need an update in order to use it.

Geliefert wurde am nächsten Tag. Optische und mechanische Prüfung war ohne Probleme.
Was mehrfach zu lesen war, sind die Negativbewertungen der Bajonettverschlüsse aus Kunststoff. Ich habe seit 11 Jahren 2 davon (AF-S Nikkor DX 3,5-5,6/18-55mm und AF-S Nikkor DX 4-5,6/55-200mm) und hatte bisher keinerlei Probleme.
Getestet habe ich das Objektiv an meiner D500. Bilder, die im Innenbereich gemacht wurden, sind etwas zu dunkel. Mit einer Korrektur von 1/2 bis 1/3 LW in der Bildbearbeitung von Nikon kommen recht gute Bilder zustande. Die Blende von 1:4,5 ist ausschließlich bei einer Brennweite 10 bis ca. 10,5mm verfügbar.
Blenden und Brennweiten:
> 10,5 mm – 4,8
13 – 15mm – 5,0
15 – 18mm – 5,3
18 – 20mm – 5,6

Im Innenbereich habe ich mit einem aufgesetzten Blitzlicht Bilder gemacht, die der Helligkeit meines Nikkor 18-55mm ähnlich waren. Da ich aber generell alle Bilder nachbearbeite, ist das zwar nicht schön aber zu verkraften. In meinem “Automatikbetrieb” der D500 hatte das 10-20mm deutlich kürzere Belichtungszeiten als das 18-55mm (1/4000 – 1/8000s bei einem ISO-Wert von 1600). Beim 18-55mm waren das 1/640 – 1/400s.
Was ich als sehr positiv bewerte ist der Autofokus. Im Videobetrieb ist er tatsächlich nicht mehr zu hören. das ist bei dem alten 18-55mm deutlich hörbar und stört. Bei der Bildgestaltung gibt es einiges auszuprobieren. Auch im Innenbereich gibt es die “anderen” Bilder. Langweilig sieht das Ganze nicht aus.
Eine Bildunschärfe an den Rändern (z.B. Bücherrücken) konnte ich nicht feststellen.
Ich hatte mich ca. 1/2 mit der Suche eines Weitwinkelobjektives beschäftigt. Da ich die Fotografie nur als Hobby betreibe, existieren für mich Preisgrenzen. Ich bin mit diesem Objektiv bisher zufrieden.