Nikon Launches 3 New Lenses: A 16-80mm, 500mm, and 600mm
Nikon today announced three new lenses: a 16-80mm f/2.8-4 for DX cameras, a 500mm f/4 for FX, and a 600mm f/4 for FX. The 16-80mm brings Nano Crystal Coating and Electromagnetic Diaphragm to DX lenses, while the 500mm and 600mm use fluorite elements for significant weight savings.
Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR
The new 16-80mm f/2.8-4E is a DX lens that offers the equivalent focal range of 24-120mm in 35mm terms, so it’s a flexible walk-around lens that’s a jack-of-all-trades for enthusiast photographers.
It’s the first Nikon DX lens that comes with Nano Crystal Coating for reducing ghosting and flaring. It’s also the first DX lens to pack an Electromagnetic Diaphragm, which electronically adjusts the lens aperture for consistent exposures during high speed shooting.
Specs include a minimum focusing distance of 1.2 feet, 4-stop vibration reduction, fluorine coating on the front and rear elements, 17 elements in 13 groups, a 7-blade aperture, and Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology for fast and accurate autofocusing.
The Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4 will be available starting in July 2015 with a price tag of $1,070.
Nikkor 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and 600mm f/4E FL ED VR
The new 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4 lenses are two FX telephoto prime lenses designed to provide high optical and focusing abilities in a low-weight package.
Nikon says the lenses are designed for sports, action, wildlife, and press photographers. “By the fourth quarter or final period, users will sincerely appreciate the weight reduction of these lenses which allow for extended shooting, even into overtime,” the company writes.
Both lenses feature Nikon’s latest autofocus tracking technologies for quickly and accurately locking onto fast-moving subjects. Both lenses pack Nikon’s Electromagnetic Diaphragm for snapping consistent exposures during rapid-fire bursts.
Weight wise, the new lenses are significantly lighter than their predecessors. The 500mm lost nearly 2 pounds, weighing 6.8 lbs instead of 8.5, and the 600mm shed nearly 3 pounds, weighing 8.3 lbs instead of 11.5. This weight loss is due to the new fluorite elements that Nikon has begun included in its lenses.
Other features and specs include a magnesium alloy construction, Nano Crystal Coating, 4-stop VR image stabilization, automatic tripod detection, a SPORT VR mode for a more stable viewfinder image, weather sealing, fluorine coating,
The new 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4 telephoto lenses will be available starting in mid-July 2014 with price tags of $10,300 and $13,300, respectively.
