Used Nikon AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR DX Lens

Condition & contents

At a glance: Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR - stabilised DX telephoto zoom reaching 450mm equivalent.

About this lens

The Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is a DX-format telephoto zoom giving roughly 82-450mm equivalent reach, with VR stabilisation and a Silent Wave Motor for autofocus on any Nikon DSLR.

Build & handling

Works with

• All Nikon DX DSLR bodies (has its own AF motor)
• 58mm filters
• Designed for DX; will vignette on full-frame bodies

Best for

A sensible, affordable reach extension for DX DSLR owners - wildlife at a distance, sport, air shows and general telephoto work. VR makes handheld shooting at the long end far more practical. Autofocus is not especially quick by modern standards and the variable aperture means it wants reasonable light, so it suits daylight telephoto use rather than indoor sport.

Frequently asked questions

How does it compare with the 70-300mm VR?

The 55-300mm is DX-only and starts wider at 55mm, making it a neater partner to an 18-55mm kit lens. The AF-P/AF-S 70-300mm covers full frame and generally focuses faster. Optically they are broadly comparable at overlapping focal lengths.

Will it autofocus on a D3500 or D5600?

Yes. It is an AF-S lens with its own Silent Wave Motor, so it autofocuses on every current and recent Nikon DSLR, including bodies without an in-body motor.

Will it autofocus on entry-level Nikon DSLRs (D3xxx / D5xxx)?

Yes. The built-in AF-S silent-wave motor handles autofocus in-lens, so this works on every Nikon F-mount DSLR including entry-level bodies.