byJeremy Gray
posted Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 12:45 PM EDT
Earlier today, Nikon introduced their first full-frame lens with their recent AF-P autofocus technology, the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR AF-P. This lens joins a variety of other AF-P zoom lenses, including 10-20mm, 18-55mm and a DX format 70-300mm lens. Not only is the new 70-300mm AF-P VR lens the first full-frame optic in Nikon's lineup with AF-P autofocus, it is also the first AF-P lens to include Nikon's electromagnetic diaphragm. Let's take a quick look at these two technologies and learn what advantages they provide compared to AF-S autofocus and Nikon's "G" lenses, which do not possess an electromagnetic diaphragm.
Looking first at AF-P, what does this stand for? The AF-P designation means that a lens uses a pulse motor, hence the "P." The pulse motor relies on stepping motors to move elements inside the lens to achieve focus. This is in contrast to AF-S lenses, which use Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and rely on rotational energy to focus a lens's optics. What the AF-P autofocus system means in terms of real-world use is not only faster autofocus, but much quieter autofocus, as is demonstrated in our own video below, which compares the AF-P 18-55mm kit lens, Nikon's first AF-P lens which was announced about a year and a half ago, to the previous AF-S version.
The autofocus performance is faster, quieter and more accurate. We expect that these three benefits will be found in the new AF-P 70-300mm E lens as well. Speaking of "E" lens, what does this mean? E-type Nikkor lenses use an electromagnetic diaphragm for more accurate and consistent control over the aperture diaphragm when using automatic exposure during continuous shooting, such as when recording video or shooting at high frame rates. In contrast to G or D type Nikkor lenses, which rely on mechanical control over the aperture, photographers will see more consistent brightness during video and bursts with E type lenses, all else equal.
With both an AF-P autofocus system and the electromagnetic diaphragm, the new updated Nikon 70-300mm lens is absolutely designed with video in mind. Not only does the AF-P autofocus promise faster, quieter autofocusing, but it also allows for full-time manual focus override. Nikon Asia released a video shot entirely with the new AF-P 70-300mm E lens, which you can view below.
It can be confusing to keep track of all the different Nikon lens designations, but it's important to understand the AF-P and E models in particular, as they are sure to be appearing in many upcoming Nikon lenses. As mentioned earlier, the new 70-300mm AF-P lens marks the first full-frame lens to employ the AF-P technology, so it will be very interesting to see which other full-frame lenses might utilize the stepping motor autofocus system. It is worth considering that not only is the new 70-300mm lens the first full-frame optic with AF-P, but it is also the longest lens (tied with the DX 70-300mm AF-P lens released earlier this year).
At Photokina 2016, we talked about AF-P technology with Nikon's Masahiko Inoue. In the interview, Inoue mentioned that stepping motors, like those used in AF-P lenses, struggle to generate enough torque for big telephoto lenses, so it will be interesting to see if a 300mm full-frame lens is the longest we will see employing an AF-P system.
To read more about the newest AF-P lens in Nikon's lineup, click here. To preorder the new Nikon AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E lens, click here.
FAQs
The AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR incorporates Nikon's stepping motor (AF-P) for faster, quieter focusing that's ideal for fast action and video recording.
What is the meaning of AF-P lens in Nikon? ›
AF-P stands for Autofocus Pulse, which means that your lens has a special stepping motor. This lens is very silent when focusing, so you can use it to record videos, for example. You don't hear any sound when focusing with this lens.
What is the Nikon AF-P-70-300mm F 4.5 5.6E-ED VR compatible with? ›
If they do not say DX in the name it means it is an FX or Full Frame lens. This AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR is optimized for FX or Full Frame cameras, as there is no DX in the name of the lens. This will be compatible will the Nikon D850 Digital SLR camera. A: Yes, it is compatible with Nikon D3300.
What is the Nikon 70-300mm lens good for? ›
The 70-300mm is ideal for wildlife, nature, and sports photographers who're looking for a budget zoom lens that can help improve their photography level. Since it is versatile, the Nikon 70-300mm functions well in different environments. It is a real swiss army knife for any level of photography.
What is the 70 300 mm lens used for? ›
The 70-300mm focal length range has a wide variety of uses. Especially the wide end of this focal length range is excellent for portraits and the mid-long focal lengths provide great perspective for even tightly cropped headshot style portraits.
What does P stand for on a camera lens? ›
The P mode on a digital SLR stands for Programmed Automatic settings. Shooting in this mode gives you control over some settings that are automatic in your camera's fully automatic mode.
Which is better, AF-S or AF p? ›
I found my Dx version AF-P consistently sharper throughout the zoom range then when I had the older AF-S VR version. Not significant but noticeable. Connecting people through photography.
What is the difference between AF and AF-S Nikon lenses? ›
Although the original AF system works well and allows for smaller and lighter lenses, in 1998 Nikon introduced AF-S (not to be confused with autofocus single mode, also called AF-S). AF-S lenses have their own focus motor built in. Nikon uses ultrasonic motors, which they call "silent wave".
What is the difference between AF-S and AF C Nikon? ›
The camera uses AF-S when photographing stationary subjects and AF-C when photographing subjects that are in motion. For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button is pressed halfway. At default settings, shutter can only be released when in-focus indicator (I) is displayed (focus priority).
How far can a 70 to 300 mm lens zoom? ›
The bottom line – on a crop frame camera a 70-300mm zoom (Canon, Nikon, Sony) will get you pretty good coverage from 15 yards to 56 yards away, the 'sweet spot' for outdoor sports. If you're shooting a full frame camera – the Canon 100-400mm gives similar coverage.
A 70-300mm zoom lens is OK for portraits, but not ideal. Conventional wisdom is that the ideal focal length for portraits is about 85mm, and this is why manufacturers like Nikon, Sony, Samyang, Canon and others, all make 85mm prime lenses, specifically for shooting portraits.
Is a 70-300mm lens good for moon photography? ›
A typical kit zoom lens around the 70-300mm mark will get you decent moon shots and also give you the versatility of shooting images of the moon that are wider. You could photograph the moon over a city skyline shot at 70mm, or get more of a close up shot with your lens set to 300mm.
What is a 300mm zoom equivalent to? ›
Here is an example: For a 300mm lens, divide 300 by 50 to get 6x magnification.
Why to buy a 70 to 200 lens? ›
A 70-200mm focal length is perfect for so many situations. It allows you to focus on key subjects, crop out distracting elements in your frame, and just get closer to the action. At 70mm, you can capture: Full- and half-body portraits.
What is the difference between 18 55mm and 70-300mm lens? ›
The 18-55mm is a wider lens, which can be use to take in larger subjects at a short distance on the 18mm wider end and all around photos on the higher 55mm end. While the 70-300mm is a medium telephoto lense. Otherwise known colloquially as a "zoom lens." Good for further away subjects.
What is the difference between AF and AF-P? ›
"The AF-P designation means that a lens uses a pulse motor, hence the "P." The pulse motor relies on stepping motors to move elements inside the lens to achieve focus. This is in contrast to AF-S lenses, which use Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and rely on rotational energy to focus a lens's optics."
Should my lens be on AF or MF? ›
Although autofocus (AF) shooting is more typical in digital cameras, MF is effective when focusing is difficult with autofocus, such as in macro shooting. In MF, you can adjust the focus position by turning the focus ring on the lens.
What is the difference between spot AF and point AF? ›
Single Point Spot AF or Spot AF is the same as Single Point AF and 1-Point AF, but in Spot focusing method the camera uses a smaller section of the AF sensor to allow you to more precisely place the AF point on the selected subject.
What is the difference between Nikon AF-S and AFP lenses? ›
AF-S is universal, as it refers to the silent wave focusing system, and should work with all autofocus capable cameras. AF-P requires a camera which provides camera body powered focusing, which is only in the higher end Nikons, like the D7100/D7200.
