Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Lens for $224.99 AC at Rakuten.com

Rakuten has brand new Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX Lens [rakuten.com] for $244.99. Use coupon code GET20CE to get it for $224.99. Shipping free and no tax for most states.

It appears to be gray market item, so it is good idea to get 7-year warranty for $19.99.

Mack warranty [beachcamera.com]

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Zoom Lens is a compact 5.5x zoom lens for DX-format D-SLR cameras. Its equivalent focal length in FX-format is 82.5-450mm. This lens is an excellent choice for travel, landscapes, portraits, and distant subjects. The lens focuses to 4.6' at every focal length - this versatility ensures stunning close-up shots of subjects near and far.

The VR II image stabilization allows you to handhold the camera at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and stable video capture. Other features include the silent wave motor for quiet accurate autofocusing, and a rounded 9-blade diaphragm that offers stunning out-of-focus highlights (bokeh). The lens elements have been treated with Nikon's Super Integrated Coating - an optical lens coating process that maximizes light transmission while enhancing clarity and contrast. All of these world-class features add up to the AF-S 55-300 being an ideal lens for traveling or shooting close to home.

Features

• 5.5x Telephoto Zoom Lens: Ideal for capturing distant subjects at athletic events, family pictures, dramatic sunsets, travel and more. Angle of view equivalent to a focal length of 82.5 to 450mm in FX/35mm format D-SLR.
• Nikon VR II Image Stabilization: Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at up to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.
• Tripod Detection Mode: Reduces vibration that may occur due to shutter release when mounted on a tripod.
• HRI (High Refractive Index) Lens Element: HRI lens element is essential to keeping the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture.
• 2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements: Effectively minimizes chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.
• Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM): Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus.
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC): Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduces flare.
• Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm: Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.
• Focus to 4.6' at Any Focal Length: This extends the versatility of this lens