Nikon 1 CX 70-300mm VR Bird Images

One of the reasons that a number of people may start to consider the Nikon 1 system is the new 1 Nikon CX 70-300 VR f/4.5-5.6 super telephoto lens. This lightweight, easy-to-handle lens has an equivalent field of view of 189-810 mm because of the CX-sized sensor used in Nikon 1 cameras. By the time I got my copy of this lens it was already in the season in Southern Ontario and many birds have already migrated. Never-the-less I was able to get a few different species captured in flight.

(NOTE: click on images to enlarge them)

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/500, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/500, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/400, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/400, f/5.6

My early impressions of this lens are very positive. The build quality is very solid and the zoom operation is quite smooth.

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1250, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1250, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 250, 1/250, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 250, 1/250, f/5.6

The Nikon 1 CX 70-300 mm VR features Super ED glass and Nano Crystal Coat, similar to the professional grade of FX Nikkor lenses.

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/1000, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 400, 1/250, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 400, 1/250, f/5.6

Unlike most 1 Nikon lenses the CX 70-300 features an external focus ring. This can be activated by half-depressing the shutter when AF is engaged. In order for the focus ring to work properly users should upgrade their firmware.

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/2500, f/6.3
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/2500, f/6.3
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/250, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 1600, 1/250, f/5.6

Weighing only 19.4 ounces (550 grams) the lens is extremely easy to carry and shoot hand-held. The lens features a full/limit focusing switch.

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/3200, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/3200, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1600, f/6.3
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1600, f/6.3

With an equivalent full frame field-of-view of 189-810 mm this lens will cause a lot of people who have not considered the Nikon 1 system in the past to give it another look. At the time of this article is was the smallest and lightest super telephoto lens on the market with an equivalent field-of-view over 800 mm.

NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1000, f/6.3
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/1000, f/6.3
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/800, f/5.6
NIKON 1 V2 + 70.0-300.0 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ ISO 160, 1/800, f/5.6

I’ll be doing a full, hands-on review of the 1 Nikon CX 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 super telephoto zoom within the next little while.

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Article and all images Copyright 2014, Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, reproduction or duplication including electronic is allowed without written consent.

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