Question 1

Is the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR compatible with full-frame Nikon DSLRs?

Accepted Answer

Yes — this lens is built on the Nikon F mount, so it works natively on full-frame Nikon DSLRs like the Nikon D750 or Nikon D850 without any crop or vignetting. On DX bodies it gives an effective reach of around 105–450mm equivalent, which is genuinely useful for wildlife. Full-frame (FX-format) compatibility is widely documented for all Nikon F-mount lenses covering this focal range.

Question 2

What does SWM mean on this lens, and does it matter?

Accepted Answer

SWM stands for Silent Wave Motor — it's Nikon's autofocus drive built into the lens itself. That means this lens autofocuses on any Nikon F body, including older DSLR bodies that don't have a focus motor in the camera body. It's also quiet, which is handy when shooting wildlife or at events where noise matters.

Question 3

How good is the image stabilisation on the Nikon 70-300mm VR?

Accepted Answer

The built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) on this lens helps compensate for camera shake, which is especially useful at 300mm where even small movements can blur a shot. It won't freeze fast-moving subjects — that still needs a fast shutter speed — but for stationary wildlife, birds perched in trees, or travel shots in lower light, VR gives you noticeably more keepers hand-held.

Question 4

What's the difference between the AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR and the AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR?

Accepted Answer

The AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR uses a stepper motor (Pulse motor) instead of SWM, which is generally considered better for video autofocus and live view tracking. However, the AF-P version has limited compatibility with older Nikon bodies — some require a firmware update, and a few don't support it at all. The AF-S version works broadly across the Nikon F ecosystem, which is a real advantage if you're using an older body. Note: the AF-P comparison is based on widely reported user experience and Nikon's own compatibility documentation, not on specs provided here.

Question 5

Is buying a used Nikon 70-300mm VR worth it?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely, for most shooters. This lens is built solidly, and optically it holds up well — glass doesn't degrade the way electronics do. Buying used means you get full telephoto VR reach at a fraction of new pricing. Every used lens on Camera-tweedehands.nl comes with at minimum 12 months warranty and is individually inspected, so you're not rolling the dice on unknown condition.

Question 6

What filter size does the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G use?

Accepted Answer

The filter thread is 67mm. That's a common size, so circular polarisers and ND filters are easy to find and relatively affordable for this diameter.

Question 7

How does the 70-300mm perform for wildlife and sports photography?

Accepted Answer

The SWM autofocus is fast and accurate enough for many wildlife scenarios — birds in flight and erratically moving subjects are harder, but animals at a distance or slower-moving action is very manageable. The 300mm reach keeps you far enough from skittish wildlife. The 9-blade aperture also helps produce reasonably pleasing background separation even at f/5.6 at the long end, so your subject stands out from a cluttered background.

Question 8

What's the minimum focus distance of the Nikon 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G VR?

Accepted Answer

The minimum focus distance is 1.5 metres. At 300mm and 1.5 m, you can get decent close-up shots of flowers or small animals — not true macro, but closer than many telephoto zooms in this class.

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Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR

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About the Nikon AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED VR

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