Nikon Announces new lenses for 2010 | DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DAILY

4 New Nikon Lenses Announced For 2010

Nikon Adds to its 2010 AF-S Nikkor Lineup

Nikon has announced 4 new lenses targeted at its full frame DSLR users, with a new prime mixed in. Trying to serve the needs of its full frame D700, D3X users, Nikon is quickly filling voids for enthusiasts and pro’s that want the convenience of the zoom ranges available to the popular APS-C sensor crowd. Announced are the < AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED V, AF-S NIKKOR , the 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED . Each of these are considered “high end”, badged with Nikons “ED” designation. You can be assured of “good glass” with these new offerings, the quality needed to take advantage of full frame sensor Nikon DSLRs.

Lets Get The Skinny On Each….

Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

Compact DX-format zoom lens with High Refractive Index (HRI) lens element, ED glass and VR II image stabilization. Expanded photo and video opportunities that’s designed to bring the action closer to the photographer.
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.
Minimum focus distance to 4.6 feet at all focal lengths.
Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm. Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.
Retail Selling Price: $399.95

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED V

Versatile 10.7x zoom lens with ED glass and VR II image stabilization. Versatile FX-format zoom lens offers a broad focal length range that’s perfect for travel, landscapes, portraits and distant subjects.
Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLRs. DX-format D-SLR angle of view is equivalent to a focal length of 42-450mm in FX/35mm format.
Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) Image Stabilization Vibration Reduction, engineered specifically for each VR NIKKOR lens, enables handheld shooting at p to 4 shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be possible, assuring dramatically sharper still images and video capture.
2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements. Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.
3 Aspherical Lens Elements. Virtually eliminates coma and other aberrations, even at wide apertures.
Exclusive Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM). Enables fast, accurate and quiet autofocus
M/A Focus Mode Switch. Enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation.
Internal Focus (IF). Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.
Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC). Enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare.
Zoom Lock Switch. Secures the lens barrel at its minimum focal length preventing the lens from extending during transport.
Focus to 18 inches at any focal length. Extends versatility.
Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm. Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.
Retail Selling Price: $1049.95 U.S.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR

Compact and versatile 5X standard zoom lens with f/4 maximum aperture. Perfect for landscapes, portraits, weddings and distant subjects offering a constant maximum aperture to maintain exposure settings throughout the entire zoom range.
Extended range on Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras. Angle of view is equivalent to a focal length of 36-180mm in FX/35mm format.
Nikon VR II (Vibration Reduction) 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.
Nano Crystal Coat. Further reduces ghosting and interior flare across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity.
2 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements. Offers superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture setting.
3 Aspherical Lens Elements. Aspherical lens elements virtually eliminate coma and other types of aberration, even when shooting at the widest available aperture.
M/A Focus Mode Switch. Enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation.
Internal Focus (IF) Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.
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 reduced flare.
Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm. Renders more natural appearance of out-of-focus image areas.
Suggested Retail Price: $1,299.00

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED

Ultra-fast classic portrait lens. High performance FX-format f/1.4 medium-telephoto lens is perfect for portraits, low-light applications offering beautiful Bokeh (background blur) and outstanding picture quality.
Optimized for edge to edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLRs DX-format D-SLR angle of view is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in FX/35mm format.
Nano Crystal Coat. Use of Nano Crystal Coat further reduces ghosting and interior flare across a wide range of wavelengths for even greater image clarity.
M/A Focus Mode Switch. Enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation.
Internal Focus (IF) Provides fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens, retaining working distance throughout the focus range.
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 reduced flare
Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm. Renders more natural Bokeh (background blur).
Suggested Retail Price: $1,699.00

Here is the press release….

New NIKKOR Glass Yields an Unprecedented Seven Lenses Released to Date in 2010

MELVILLE, NY (August 19, 2010) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced four new lenses to the legendary NIKKOR line to meet the needs of all types of photographers, from those looking for the ideal lens for capturing memories of the school play to pro glass that captures client work in the studio. The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S 24-120mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S 85mm f/1.4G deliver the optical excellence and stunning image quality that consumers have become accustomed to with AF-S NIKKOR lenses. Nikon’s optical engineering experience and devotion to extraordinary standards of excellence have contributed to the strength and legend of the NIKKOR brand. With the addition of these four lenses, 2010 has seen the introduction of a total of seven new NIKKOR lenses, reinforcing Nikon’s role as the world leader in optics.

Ideal for producing stunningly sharp images with excellent clarity and color reproduction or capturing HD video that exhibits critical focus with a dramatic depth of field, these new lenses will empower photographers with a variety of core Nikon technologies. The three zoom lenses utilize Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) II Image Stabilization system which provides up to four stops of correction* to help create blur-free images while shooting handheld or in challenging lighting conditions. Found in the 85mm f/1.4 and 24-120mm f/4, Nikon’s exclusive Nano-Crystal Coat reduces instances of ghosting and flare – even in challenging backlit scenes. Additionally, all four lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology to deliver fast, accurate and quiet AF performance and Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating (SIC) for color consistency and reduced flaring. The construction of each of these lenses also includes a nine rounded blade diaphragm, to help achieve a dramatic separation between subject and background with a natural out of focus area coveted by today’s image-makers.

“The AF-S NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, 24-120mm f/4 VR and 85mm f/1.4 build upon Nikon’s reputation as a preeminent manufacturer of high quality lenses delivering tack-sharp, high contrast images whether shooting stills or video. ” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of Marketing at Nikon Inc. “As camera capabilities expand and the role of photographers evolves, NIKKOR enhancements continue to meet the demands of beginner and professional photographers alike, and we continue to exceed expectations of optical excellence.”

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR: Making Super Telephoto Shooting Easy and Affordable

The new AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR fills a variety of roles as the perfect lens for family picture takers and photo enthusiasts alike. This lens is the ideal complement to the 18-55mm VR DX-format camera kit lens, such as the one coupled with the just-released D3100 D-SLR camera, and provides users with an affordable way to achieve super zoom focal lengths from 82.5mm to 450mm (35mm equivalent). The 55-300mm VR lens brings the benefits of longer focal lengths into range for users when capturing distant subjects, such as at athletic events, family gatherings and summer vacations. Additional features include a Tripod Detection Mode, which allows users to keep VR image stabilization activated and automatically compensates for minute vibrations when mounted on a tripod. Additionally, a High Refractive Index (HRI) lens element is implemented to keep the lens compact while offering high contrast even at maximum aperture. The optical construction consists of two Extra-low Dispersion (ED) Elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings.

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR: High Performance, High Quality and Telephoto Zoom

Building on the popularity and versatility of broad focal range lenses, the new AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR is Nikon’s first FX-format lens with a 10.7X zoom range for enthusiasts and professionals. The new 28-300mm is the all-in-one optical solution that is ideal for travel, landscapes, portraits and capturing distant subjects. The 28-300mm VR lens is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLR cameras, and has an equivalent focal length of 42-450mm when attached to a DX-format D-SLR. It’s optical formula includes two ED glass elements that effectively minimize chromatic aberration, even at the widest aperture settings, and three Aspherical Lens Elements that virtually eliminates coma and other aberrations at wide aperture settings as well. This high performance lens also incorporates an M/A Focus Mode Switch that enables quick changes between manual and autofocus operation, and Internal Focus (IF) providing fast and quiet autofocus without changing the length of the lens while retaining working distance through the focus range.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR: Defines Versatility

The new AF-S 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR zoom lens redefines the wide-to-portrait lens category, and provides users with a medium focal range lens with a constant aperture that is ideally suited for a wide variety of photographic disciplines. This high performance lens offers a constant maximum aperture of f/4 to maintain exposure settings throughout the entire zoom range and is perfect for photographing landscapes, portraits, interiors and weddings. The 24-120mm f/4 also features two ED elements, three aspherical lens elements, a useful M/A Focus Mode Switch, Internal Focus and Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghosting and flare for greater image clarity throughout the entire frame.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED: Fast Medium Telephoto Lens Destined to Become a Classic

A highly anticipated lens for professional photographers with no room for compromise, the new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G ED is an ultra-fast classic portrait lens boasting amazing picture quality, high performance and the ability to create dramatic background effects (bokeh). This lens is engineered for professional portrait, studio and wedding photographers wanting to shoot at fast maximum apertures while retaining the highest performance. The 85mm lens is also well suited for portraits and low-light shooting situations because of its ability to create a shallow depth of field with exacting sharpness and detail. The AF-S 85mm f/1.4 is optimized for edge-to-edge sharpness on both FX and DX-format D-SLR cameras, and features two focus modes, M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual) to further enhance versatility and adapt to a shooters needs. Additional features include Internal Focus (IF) that allows the lens to focus without changing the barrel length, Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flare, and a rugged construction build to endure aggressive field use.

Price and Availability

The compact telephoto AF-S NIKKOR DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 VR lens has an estimated selling price of $399.95**. The versatile AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR has an estimated selling price of $1299.95**. The AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR zoom lens has an estimated selling price of $1049.95**. The ultra-fast AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G has an estimated selling price of $1699.95**. These four lenses will be available starting in September 2010. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

*Under Nikon measurement conditions.

**Estimated selling price listed is only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

Written by: Kevin L. Moss, Publisher of DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY DAILY

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