Lens News

Creating photo books on American railroads are a good part of my workload, so telephoto lenses are what I often turn to for my train photography. Extremely heavy and often dangerous, locomotives and rolling stock require a wide berth for safety’s sake. Furthermore, in the wake of the September 11th attacks, security has tightened around railroad property, demanding more distance between the photographer and subject. 

Nikon just announced the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, a versatile DX-format lens designed for advanced and enthusiast photographers. The Nikkor 16-80mm features a combination of Nikon lens technologies typically found on the company’s pro glass including Nano Crystal Coat, which is appearing for the first time on a Nikon DX-format lens.

Nikon announced this morning that it is developing the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR, an FX-format (aka full frame) fixed focal length super-telephoto lens, which the company says will “strike the ideal combination of portability and performance.” Nikon did not release images of this upcoming lens; the photo above is of the AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4E FL ED VR lens from 2015 for reference.

Nikon just announced a new Super Zoom, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR, for Nikon Z series full-frame/FX-format mirrorless cameras. Boasting the highest zoom ratio in its class (14.28X) and a fast f/4 aperture at the 28mm end, it’s also the lightest in its class, weighing only 25.6 ounces (725g). For expanded versatility, the new zoom focuses to 7.8 inches (0.2m) at the maximum wideangle position and 3.9 feet (1.2m) at the maximum telephoto position. Additionally, the NIKKOR Z 28-400 f/4-8 VR features VR (Vibration Reduction technology equivalent to 5.0 stops efficacy.

Nikon just unveiled the new Nikkor Z 24-70MM f/2.8 S lens, the latest S-Line lens for the Nikon Z Series full frame mirrorless cameras including the Z7 and Z6. The Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S lens is a fast-aperture zoom lens that is designed for a variety of content creators thanks to its zoom range, fast aperture, edge-to-edge sharpness and compact/lightweight design, Nikon said.

Nikon continues to add to its Nikkor S-Line of lenses for its Z-series, full frame mirrorless cameras with the just announced new Nikkor Z 24mm f/1.8 S wide-angle prime lens.

Nikon followed up its budget camera announcement this morning with a new lens designed more for the 1%. The company officially took the wraps off the Nikkor Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens, which is the fastest Nikkor lens to date and one of its most expensive primes in history.