Nikon 55-300mm AF-S DX NIKKOR f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens

* High-powered 5.5x DX zoom lens with super-telephoto reach.
* Flexible 55-300mm focal length (35 mm equivalent 82.5-450mm).
* Vibration Reduction II (VR II) system.
Lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 stops slower.
* Two ED (Extra low Dispersion) glass elements and
one HRI (High Refractive Index) element
ensure outstanding optical performance.
* SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, quiet autofocus.
* Weather-sealed mount protects the lens from dust or water.


Our opinion:

If you bought a Nikon DSLR kit lately, chances are that you already own the 18-55mm lens - for which this 55-300mm Nikkor lens is the ideal companion.

This lens will be extending your reach to
* 300mm in full-frame (FX) sensor cameras (D3 models or D700) - or to the equivalent of
* 450mm in DX sensor cameras (every other DSLR made by Nikon).

Nikon's second generation vibration reduction (VR) technology will give you extra lee-way at the long end of the lens, allowing you to handhold some shots even on the maximum telephoto setting without having to worry too much about blur. However, keep one eye on the shutter speeds; if light levels dip low enough, you will still be needing a tripod to produce sharp images.

In essence, the new 55-300mm Nikkor lens is a fantastic improvement on it's predecessor with 100mm extra pulling power, better optical glass (HRI) and more powerful VR technology. Moreover, the built-in silent wave motor assures that you can use this lens with any Nikon DSLR (including the new D3100) - whether it has an autofocus motor built into the camera body or not.

Highly recommended economical second lens *****


Manufacturer's description:

Go further for less

The 5.5 times zoom ratio offers flexibility by drastically extending the telephoto reach. With 300mm (450mm on DX format cameras) at the telephoto end, this lens leads the way in affordable and portable telephoto photography, ideal for family sport events and holidays.

Hold Steady

Incorporating the latest VR II (second generation Vibration Reduction) technology, the lens delivers sharper images when the camera is hand-held. This is especially useful when using slower shutter speeds at longer focal lengths, or when shooting in low light.

Keep Quiet

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR incorporates Nikon's SWM (Silent Wave Motor). This ensures that the autofocus is fast and quiet so you don't miss that crucial moment, nor draw attention to yourself in more private settings.

The AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR incorporates high quality ED and new HRI (High Refractive Index) glass elements to help deliver crisp images, even under harsh lighting conditions. The lens has a weather sealed mount, which means you can take it anywhere, without having to worry about moisture and dust infiltrating the lens or camera sensor.

Ready for adventure, the AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is an affordable and compact lens that will be a welcome addition to any camera bag. The lens is supplied with HB-57 lens hood to prevent flare in strong light and a lens pouch for safe storage and transportation. The lens will also be available in zoom kits with Nikon's popular D-SLR range.