Nikon Announces Five New Lenses

Nikon listened to the photographers' demands and updated their lens lineup with some spectacular products. Although these new units are a "breath of fresh lens", some Nikon users are still waiting for some fast primes with autofocus motors, but one can't have them all at once. We'll start wide and finish with the telephoto primes.

The new AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is the first full-frame zoom lens to reach f/2.8 at the 14mm end and it gives photographers new creative possibilities. Aside from the usual silent wave motor that ensures fast and silent operation and the internal focusing, the new ultra-wide zoom lens boasts 2 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and one Nano Crystal Coat. These minimize chromatic and spherical aberrations and keep internal reflections at bay. It doesn't say anything about the filters, but most likely it will only take gel units, the front element being too large for normal screw-in stuff.

AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Specifications

Focal length 14-24 mm Maximum aperture f/2.8 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 14 elements in 11 groups (with 2 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and one Nano Crystal Coat) Picture angle 114? - 84? (90? - 61? with DX-format camera) Closest focus distance 0.28 m/0.9 ft. (with focal length 18-24 mm) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/6.7 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Focusing Internal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) Approx. 98 x 131.5 mm/3.9 x 5.2 in. Weight Approx. 1,000 g/35.3 oz. Supplied accessories Semi-soft Case CL-M3

Next is the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, a 2.9x zoom lens with 3 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and one Nano Crystal Coat. It boasts a 77mm filter diameter and it benefits from the usual SWM and IF systems. This model takes normal screw-in filters with a 77mm diameter.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Specifications

Focal length 24-70 mm Maximum aperture f/2.8 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 15 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED glass elements, 3 aspherical lenses and one Nano Crystal Coat) Picture angle 84? - 34?20' (61? - 22?50' with DX-format camera) Closest focus distance 0.38 m/1.2 ft. (with focal length 35-50 mm) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/3.7 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Filter/attachment size 77 mm Focusing Internal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) Approx. 83 x 133 mm/3.3 x 5.2 in. Weight Approx. 900 g/31.7 oz. Supplied accessories Bayonet Hood HB-40, Semi-soft Case CL-M3

Last, but not least, Nikon has upgraded the telephoto beasts with three new VR versions: the AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR, and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR.

These new super-telephoto units are equipped with a vibration reduction (VR) function. Nikon's VR II system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, offering a shutter speed up to the equivalent of four stops faster. The newly added Tripod mode reduces vibration that may occur at shutter release when shooting with a super-telephoto lens attached to a tripod.

All lenses feature three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberrations, Nano Crystal Coat and a Meniscus protective glass element to further reduce ghosting, and flare for even greater image clarity. As expected, they feature the SWM and IF systems that make autofocusing fast and silent.

AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR Specifications

Focal length 400 mm Maximum aperture f/2.8 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 14 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED glass elements and one Nano Crystal Coat) and one meniscus protective glass element Picture angle 6?10' (4?00' with DX-format camera) Closest focus distance 2.9 m/9.5 ft. (AF), 2.8 m/9.2 ft. (MF) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/6.3 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Filter/attachment size 52 mm Focusing Internal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) Approx. 159.5 x 368 mm/6.3 x 14.5 in. Weight Approx. 4,620 g/10.2 lb. Supplied accessories Lens Hood HK-33, Heavy duty case CT-404, Dedicated filter holder, 52mm screw-in NC filter, Strap LN-1, Monopod collar

AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR Specifications

Focal length 500 mm Maximum aperture f/4 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 14 elements in 11 groups (with 3 ED glass elements and one Nano Crystal Coat) and one meniscus protective glass element Picture angle 5? (3?10' with DX-format camera) Closest focus distance 4.0 m/13.1 ft. (AF), 3.85 m/12.6 ft. (MF) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/6.9 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Filter/attachment size 52 mm Focusing Internal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) Approx. 139.5 x 391 mm/5.5 x 15.4 in. Weight Approx. 3,880 g/8.6 lb. Supplied accessories Lens Hood HK-34, Heavy duty case CT-504, Dedicated filter holder, 52mm screw-in NC filter, Strap LN-1, Monopod collar

AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR Specifications

Focal length 600 mm Maximum aperture f/4 Minimum aperture f/22 Lens construction 15 elements in 12 groups (with 3 ED glass elements and one Nano Crystal Coat) and one meniscus protective glass element Picture angle 4?10' (2?40' with DX-format camera) Closest focus distance 5.0 m/16.4 ft. (AF), 4.8 m/15.7 ft. (MF) Maximum reproduction ratio 1/7.4 No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded) Filter/attachment size 52 mm Focusing Internal Focusing (IF) system; autofocus with a built-in SWM and manual focus Diameter x length (extension from lens mount) Approx. 166 x 445 mm/6.5 x 17.5 in. Weight Approx. 5,060 g/11.2 lb. Supplied accessories Lens Hood HK-35, Heavy duty case CT-607, Dedicated filter holder, 52mm screw-in NC filter, Strap LN-1, Monopod collar

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