Compact long-range zoom. <a href="#">[Buy on Amazon]</a>
The Nikon 100–300mm f/5.6 AI-S is a surprisingly compact and versatile long-range manual zoom, offering reach, flexibility, and classic Nikon build quality in one affordable package. Designed for photographers who need telephoto performance without the bulk or price tag of pro-level primes, this lens delivers solid results in a variety of shooting situations.
Covering everything from moderate telephoto to super-telephoto, the 100–300mm range is ideal for outdoor photography — whether you're capturing wildlife at a distance, isolating subjects in the landscape, or shooting candid portraits in natural light. Despite its long reach, the lens remains relatively lightweight and manageable, making it a great option for handheld shooting or travel kits focused on manual glass.
At f/5.6 throughout the zoom range, it’s not the fastest lens on paper, but it makes up for that with consistent optical performance and practical usability. Wide open, it provides decent sharpness in the center with a slightly softer rendering at the edges — something that can be desirable when drawing attention to your subject. Stopping down to f/8 or f/11 improves sharpness across the frame and brings excellent clarity and contrast, particularly in good light.
The lens uses a two-ring design for separate zoom and focus control, allowing for smooth and deliberate operation. Focusing is manual, but well damped and precise — essential for locking focus at longer focal lengths. The built-in tripod collar helps stabilize the lens for longer sessions or when shooting at the 300mm end, especially on smaller mirrorless bodies.
One of the lens’s unique features is its relatively close minimum focusing distance of 1.5 meters — quite useful for semi-macro detail shots, nature textures, or product photography with compressed backgrounds. Color rendition is neutral and clean, and the classic Nikon coatings do a good job at minimizing flare and ghosting, even when shooting into the light.
The Nikon 100–300mm f/5.6 AI-S may not be a fast lens, but it offers a long zoom range, classic handling, and surprising image quality for its size. It’s a quiet workhorse — ideal for photographers who enjoy the slower, more intentional pace of manual telephoto photography.
Tip: Use a monopod or tripod for shooting at 300mm, and stop down to f/8 for best sharpness. For travel or hikes, this lens pairs well with a fast 35mm or 50mm prime — covering both ends of your kit without excess weight.