Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Announced

The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR is a new lens for Nikon DX-sensor cameras like the D300s, D5000 and D3000.  The new 85mm lens should be available in December 2009 at an initial retail price of $529.95. Check availability on Amazon.com.

More details in the press release below.

Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G ED VR News Release

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Nikon Inc., today introduced the new medium telephoto AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens designed specifically for extreme close-up photography, yet perfectly suited for portrait, nature, and general imaging as well. Focusing as close as 0.9 ft., this new 85mm Micro lens allows photographers to capture breathtaking close-up images with life-size reproduction ratios up to 1:1, helping to ensure that even the subtlest of subject detail is reproduced faithfully. The new 85mm Micro NIKKOR lens, in conjunction with Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras, renders a picture angle equivalent of approximately 127.5mm (in the 35mm or FX-format), providing a natural perspective along with a desirable and practical lens-to-subject working distance.

“Nikon is proud of its strong reputation for designing and producing some of the world’s finest close-up lenses, delivering faithful and consistent color reproduction, stunning sharpness and beautifully balanced contrast,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon, Inc. “The introduction of the AF-S DX 85mm Micro lens further broadens the Micro NIKKOR family and answers a call from serious nature and portrait photographers, generalists and on-line auction specialists seeking superior close-up shooting performance, affordability and versatility.”

The NIKKOR Advantage

Specifically engineered for use with Nikon’s assortment of DX-format D-SLRs, the new 85mm Micro NIKKOR lens incorporates a variety of Nikon-exclusive features and technologies including Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM), Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass and an Internal Focusing (IF) design. While optimized for DX-format D-SLRs, this lens is also compatible with Nikon FX-format D-SLRs when used in their DX crop mode. In addition, dramatic close-up perspectives can be captured in beautiful High Definition video with digital SLR cameras like the Nikon D5000, D90, and new D300s.

This lens also incorporates the benefit of Vibration Reduction (II) Image Stabilization technology, which gives photographers the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops* slower than would otherwise be possible, while dramatically reducing the image blur caused by camera shake in handheld photography. Nikon VR image stabilization is specifically engineered for each lens into which it is incorporated, ensuring optimum image stabilization benefit. And, unlike camera body-based approaches to image stabilization, Nikon lens-based VR also stabilizes the camera’s viewfinder image, making composing and capturing images and movies less fatiguing.

Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) provides fast, quiet and accurate autofocus performance and Nikon’s Internal Focusing (IF) design further enhances AF performance, while also allowing photographers to manually focus quickly and smoothly. Additional benefits to Internal Focusing include the elimination of both front lens element rotation and changes in lens length during focusing. A constant lens length improves balance and overall handling, while doing away with front element rotation makes the use of front-mounted accessories such as polarizers or the Nikon Wireless Close-up Speedlight System much more convenient.

Optical construction consists of 14 elements in 10 groups, while the addition of an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, enhancing the lens’ ability to deliver stunning, high-contrast images with accurate and well saturated colors. A rounded nine-blade diaphragm opening allows out-of-focus background or foreground scene information to appear more naturally blurred.

Price and Availability

The AF-S Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR II lens is scheduled to become available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning early December 2009 at an estimated selling price of $529.95.** For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com. This new lens, along with Nikon’s entire line of photographic, optical and digital imaging solutions, including the recently announced D3S, will be on display at the Nikon booth (#501) at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York, from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2009.