To P or not to P (Nikon) (Page 2): I have 3 of Nikon's P lens, the 18-55, 10-20 and 70-300. They are light, focus is very fast, very sharp and I think a great value for the money. I...

cmcaroffino Loc: Sebring, FL

I have 3 of Nikon's P lens, the 18-55, 10-20 and 70-300. They are light, focus is very fast, very sharp and I think a great value for the money. I wouldn't replace lens you have in this range if you already have them but would definitely buy the P lens if I needed lens in this range over the existing S or G lens. I haven't found the plastic mount to be a problem for the way I shoot but as others have mentioned make sure your camera is compatible with the P lens before buying. I am very pleased with them.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

bobishkan wrote:

Anyone have any experience with the Nikon P lens? Does it pay to replace the lens to a P? Thanks Bob

The AF-P series of Nikon lenses uses a new stepping motor and Pulse technology. Hence the P which does NOT imply plastic anything. This new system gives much faster and more accurate focusing. The AF-P's are designed for DX cameras and many of the older cameras are not compatible. Check the Nikon web site to see if your camera is compatible.

Huey Driver Loc: Texas

At my age the question is not so much "to P or not to P" but more like when, how often, how many times a day or night and get the hell out of the way I gotta go!

bobishkan wrote:

Anyone have any experience with the Nikon P lens? Does it pay to replace the lens to a P? Thanks Bob

Bigbeartom44

I recently purchased the DX 70-300mm 4.5-6.3 "P" lens to replace my 55-300mm lens. It is more compact, significantly sharper that the 55-300 lens. Focus is faster and the VR function is much quicker and better. I don't miss the 55mm in lieu of the 70mm. Only downside is it is designed for cameras build in the last few years. I am using it on a Nikon D5300 that I purchased used about a year ago.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

rcdovala wrote:

Why do you say that it's a slow lens? I find it to be very fast in focusing. compact and sharp. But it is true that it can't be used on a lot of older bodies. I wouldn't buy it to replace the kit 18-55mm lens unless it is broken.

By slow I mean its f6.3 at 300mm does not let much light in, not a reference to its focusing speed.

rcdovala

Thanks for the clarification.

nimbushopper wrote:

By slow I mean its f6.3 at 300mm does not let much light in, not a reference to its focusing speed.

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

suntouched wrote:

I have the full frame, weather resistant 70-300 mm f4-5.6 P lens.

If yours is the “P” version, it is not “full-frame”. The “P” lenses are DX lenses.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Rich1939 wrote:

The AF-P series of Nikon lenses uses a new stepping motor and Pulse technology. Hence the P which does NOT imply plastic anything. This new system gives much faster and more accurate focusing. The AF-P's are designed for DX cameras and many of the older cameras are not compatible. Check the Nikon web site to see if your camera is compatible.

Pentax has released one "PLM" {"Pulse Linear Motor"} lens so far. My understanding is that the "P" motors provide quick focusing, but are useful only when the focusing group is light-weight, which would explain the characteristics noted in this lens.

BebuLamar

Rich1939 wrote:

The AF-P series of Nikon lenses uses a new stepping motor and Pulse technology. Hence the P which does NOT imply plastic anything. This new system gives much faster and more accurate focusing. The AF-P's are designed for DX cameras and many of the older cameras are not compatible. Check the Nikon web site to see if your camera is compatible.

It does imply stepping motor technology which is a less expensive option than servo in motion control.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

BebuLamar wrote:

It does imply stepping motor technology which is a less expensive option than servo in motion control.

according to Nikon, it is more accurate and faster. Don't know about costs.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

P or not to P, that is the question..... Unless I drink too much beer.

rocket111

I have a D3300. I bought before the AF-P lens had been released. So I did a lot of reading about the new AF-P lenses. The biggest things I got from the reviews is, it's faster, and quieter when video recording. So if faster focus is important I would give it serious consideration. Like sports, wild life, grandkids. If you video record and don't want to hear focus motor noise in the recording I would consider the AF-P. Nikon also improved the glass. If the glass is iimproved over the AF-S I couldn't say. To this day I haven't seen a review saying its better. The Auto Focus is just turn the ring. No on or off to mess with. The image stabazition or VR is controlled ( on off ) in the camera menu. But if your like me, I use my 18-55 & 55-200 AF-S VR ED 11 for mostly everyday shots. This is mostly all I'm after. And they deliver excellent photoes. I have three primes, the Nikon 35mm, 50mm, 85mm. They deliver outstanding photoes when they are used for there purposes. My point is what are you looking for. Yes I would think the AF-P would be a up grade. But not for me. ¿¿¿

Bunkershot Loc: Central Florida

My 70-300 AF-P is lightning fast compared to its AF-S version, and very, very sharp. Love it!

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Bunkershot wrote:

My 70-300 AF-P is lightning fast compared to its AF-S version, and very, very sharp. Love it!

which version do you have? Dx or Fx?

Bill_de Loc: US

kb6kgx wrote:

If yours is the “P” version, it is not “full-frame”. The “P” lenses are DX lenses.

Not necessarily true ---

AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR $750

AF-P DX NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED VR $400

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