[Dave]

Nikon announces AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens for Nikon DX format digital SLRs




Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, a compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens. Boasting a range of state-of-the-art optical technologies, this new lens offers outstanding performance at a remarkably affordable price.

The AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED features Nikon ED glass, aspherical lens elements and SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for enhanced performance. With a focal length range of 18-135mm, the lens is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations; from sports, action and portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The picture angle is equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format.

Advanced Nikon engineering, particularly the compact SWM, has realised the possibility of a compact lightweight lens with excellent handling characteristics. The optical design features one ED glass element and two hybrid aspherical lens elements to assure high-resolution, high-contrast images while minimizing chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion. The compact SWM built into the lens offers the smooth and quiet autofocus performance that users have come to expect from Nikon lenses.

The wide range, high-quality performance and affordable price of this lens will expand the photographic horizons of Nikon Digital SLR owners.

Note: This lens is designed exclusively for use with Nikon DX format digital SLR cameras and is not compatible with 35mm [135] or IX240 format film cameras.

Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

RRP: £299.99

* Offers a broad 18-135mm focal range (7.5x zoom) for use in a wide variety of situations (equivalent to a 27-202.5mm lens in the 35mm format).
* ED glass and hybrid aspherical lens elements minimize chromatic aberration, astigmatism and other forms of distortion, while ensuring high resolution and contrast
* Incorporates a compact SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for quiet focusing
* Delivers high-level optical performance, specially designed for use with Nikon DX format digital SLRs.
* Employs a seven-blade rounded diaphragm opening that achieves a natural out-of-focus blur.
* Two focus modes, auto[A] and manual [M], with manual override in auto mode.
* Enables focusing from as close as 45cm (17.7 in.) from the subject through the entire focal range
* Internal Focusing (IF) design enables compact size and eliminates front element rotation, enabling the use of circular polarizing filters
* Flower-shaped Lens Hood HB-32 (provided) greatly reduces image degradation from stray light

[VikingPhotography]

Again, not a bad lens design but it's let down by a lack of constant aperture throughout the zoom range... when is Nikon going to learn that such things are necessities for some photographers??

[Dave]

Probably the day they make more profit from that route

[VikingPhotography]

Oh, I don't doubt that there are greater profits to be made at the consumer end of things, but they'll have to do something to stop the slow slide of professional users to the big "C".

Since the move to DX format with the D1 camera, we've seen scarcely any pro-grade DX lenses from Nikon... the exception being the 17-55DX. As good as the 12-24DX lens is, it is not a direct replacement for the older 17-35mm lens, since that lens had a constant f/2.8 aperture and was very sharp when stopped down to f/4. The overall build of the 12-24DX is a bit light and not as rugged as a pro lens should be IMHO.

Anyways, like I said: I'm all for consumer-oriented lens releases, but I think it's time Nikon turned their attention to the pro segment and gave us a little bit more to chew on in terms of new or updated lens designs... like a nice, fast (f/1.4) wide-angle rectilinear DX primes and some others too... perhaps some tilt/shift lenses?

[Dave]

Well your knowledge of the Nikon range & direction is beyond me, but doesn't sound good from a Pro's point of view

What are your views of the D80 ? I've put my basic gut feel here , but would appreciate a pro's viewpoint, posted on the stated thread

[Dabhand16]

Glad I'm not a pro - this lens could well be ideal for me. It is a tad faster than the current range, (70-300) albeit a bit dearer at the moment. I'm just not sure about the 18-200 VR, or lenses in general with large zoom ranges. Does anyone know if the VR lenses have any marked affect on battery life? £5-600 would be the absolute limit for me. I suppose I could try to source a secondhand 70-200 f2.8, or the 80-200 f2.8. But you are always taking a chance with used gear unless you know the seller. The 70-135 presses all of the buttons for me, and it's smaller and lighter too. I'll bide my time and see what the prices are like once the initail rush has subsided.

Regarding the D80, I've only had the D70s since January, and I'm quite happy with it. I'm not one to try to keep up with the latest technonlogy unless I have a specific need for a feature that I have not got currently. However, if I were buying now I could be tempted, depending on what the prices of the D70s were being dumped at!

[VikingPhotography]

VR will drain your battery a bit more than normal, but not by much. You can set it to off on the lens itself for situations that don't warrant its use, and you can also use you "AF-on" button to aquire focus without triggering the VR module... so you can limit the drain.

The 18-200VR lens you mention has great overall range but is somewhat so-so in terms of optical quality - particularly in the areas of image contrast and bokeh. I'd expect both the new 18 - 135 and 70 - 300 lenses to give much better results.

The 18 - 135 lens is expected to retail at around the £300 mark, so that's well within your budget cap.

[Dabhand16]

Thanks, VP. Did not realise that the VR was switchable. I think both of the new lenses (18-135 and 70-300) have some potential, although I would have prefferred a faster lens. When the prices settle, I might be able to get both the 18-135 and the 70-300 within my budget.

Then the decision will be these two lenses, or a used 70-200 f2.8, or 80-200 f2.8.