Nikon Spring Launch: LensesBy Alan Sircom
Nikon's popular 18-70 DX lens got a new rival today, in the shape of the £430 AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. 17 elements in 11 groups, with two ED glass elements, three aspherical lens elements, and the latest VR II vibration reduction. The 485g lens has a 67mm filter attachment and its AF-S motor allows it to be used with the new D60, D40 and D40x, but cannot be used with the D3 or 35mm film bodies.
Less well anticipated is a new version of the long-standing 60mm Micro Nikkor. The new £360 AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED lens retains the f/2.8 maximum aperture, but now sports a Nano Crystal coating and AF-S motors. Made up of 12 elements in nine groups, with one ED glass element and two aspherical lenses, the new Micro Nikkor can focus as close as 18.5cm and has a 1.0x reproduction ratio.
Finally, the shock launch of the three is the £1,100 PC-E Micro Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED. This sees a return to wide shift lens manufacture for Nikon. It features full tilt and shift functions, with 12 elements in 10 groups, two Super ED elements, the Nano Crystal coat and can focus down to 18.5cm and has 1.0x maximum reproduction ratio. The new lens is said to be capable of delivering ±11.5mm shift and ±8.5 ° tilt.
At the press conference, Nikon intimated that it would be releasing more prime lenses this year, including two more Perspective Control lenses in the near future - likely to be a 45mm f/2.8 and a replacement for the 85mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor.
www.nikon.co.uk
Nikon's popular 18-70 DX lens got a new rival today, in the shape of the £430 AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. 17 elements in 11 groups, with two ED glass elements, three aspherical lens elements, and the latest VR II vibration reduction. The 485g lens has a 67mm filter attachment and its AF-S motor allows it to be used with the new D60, D40 and D40x, but cannot be used with the D3 or 35mm film bodies.
Less well anticipated is a new version of the long-standing 60mm Micro Nikkor. The new £360 AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED lens retains the f/2.8 maximum aperture, but now sports a Nano Crystal coating and AF-S motors. Made up of 12 elements in nine groups, with one ED glass element and two aspherical lenses, the new Micro Nikkor can focus as close as 18.5cm and has a 1.0x reproduction ratio.
Finally, the shock launch of the three is the £1,100 PC-E Micro Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED. This sees a return to wide shift lens manufacture for Nikon. It features full tilt and shift functions, with 12 elements in 10 groups, two Super ED elements, the Nano Crystal coat and can focus down to 18.5cm and has 1.0x maximum reproduction ratio. The new lens is said to be capable of delivering ±11.5mm shift and ±8.5 ° tilt.
At the press conference, Nikon intimated that it would be releasing more prime lenses this year, including two more Perspective Control lenses in the near future - likely to be a 45mm f/2.8 and a replacement for the 85mm f/2.8 Micro Nikkor.
www.nikon.co.uk