Nikon AF-S 55-300mm vs Nikon AF-S 70-300mm

[adrian888]

I'm planning to get a zoom lens and have came up with 2 lens which I cannot tell the diff. Anyone have any insight on these 2 lens.

My current lens collections - 35mm/f1.8, 18-105mm/f3.5-5.6

[benm]

The 55-300 is fairly new and there are not too many reviews around. Seems pretty decent. About $370US.

There are 2 different 70-300 lenses, one with VR and one without. The one with VR is newer and goes for $540US. One reviewer who is well regarded, Thom Hogan, says it's a great lens from 70 to 200, not so good closer to 300.

The older one is only $150US. Hard to go wrong with this one for just playing around.

[Black Pearl]

The AF-S 55-300mm VR is a DX lens whereas the AF-S 70-300mm VR is a FX lens....not a major thing but if you go mad and goe FX then the cheaper one will be a pain to use causing the body to drop down to a crop sensor format.

The 55+ one has an external focusing mech where the 70+ one is a true internal focus (IF) lens....sorry can't be ar*ed to type the whole lens thing....the advantage of the IF is the front element doesn't turn (a pain when you use filters) and it's faster.

The build quality is very different. While there is nothing wrong with the 55+ the 70+ is a very well screwed together bit of kit.

This site hasn't tested the 55+ yet but the 70+ is on there.

I got one of the first 70-300mm VR's that hit the UK and its a corker - goes everywhere with me.