Nikon AF NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6 D ED Autofocus Lens Review

The Nikon AF NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4-5.6 D ED is a telephoto zoom lens designed for Nikon F-mount DSLRs. It offers a versatile focal range suitable for wildlife, sports, and portrait work at a distance, with extra-low dispersion glass to help control chromatic aberration. This is an older AF-D design, which means it requires a camera body with a built-in autofocus motor to enable autofocus functionality. Without that motor, manual focus only.

At around $63 used, this lens sits at the budget end of the telephoto zoom spectrum, appealing to hobbyists and those entering telephoto photography without significant investment. The variable aperture (f/4-5.6) is typical for consumer zooms of this range but does limit low-light performance and depth-of-field control compared to faster glass. It's a compact, lightweight option for older Nikon bodies, though it's been largely superseded by newer AF-P and VR-equipped models that offer better image stabilization and faster, quieter autofocus.