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)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to make a modest $10 donation through PayPal to support my work it would be most appreciated. You can use the Donate button below. Larger donations can be made to tom@tomstirr.com through PayPal.

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