Three New Nikkor Lenses Expand Nikon Lineup

2017.05.31

Nikkon launches three entirely new lenses earlier today. One is a DX lens for DSLRs with APS-C sensor while the other two also cover Full-Frame sensors.

First up, the ultra-wide Nikkor DX AF-S 10-20mm F/4.5-5.6G is a lightweight lens with a dim aperture for Nikon APS-C cameras. This one covers a 10 to 20mm focal-length, giving it a maximum angle-of-view of 109° while weighing a mere 230g. This is incredible for such an ultra-wide lens, with the trade-off being a maximum aperture of F/4.5 at the wide-end and F/5.6 at the long end. The lens can stop down to F/29 which is way beyond the diffraction limit of any DSLR.

The Nikkor DX AF-S 10-20mm F/4.5-5.6G is the first ultra-wide lens to use a Pulse-Linear motor for quiet and smooth focusing which is useful for those who use their DSLR to record video. This lens manages to squeeze in a Nikon Vibration Reduction system. As an entry-level lens though, it is mostly made of plastic, including the lens mount.

The second lens is a high-end wide-angle prime with ultra-bright aperture. The Nikkor AF-S 28mm F/1.4E is a weatherproof lens with rear focusing system and durable lens barrel made of a single piece. All movements are internal giving it excellent resistance to adverse conditions and stability. Its single focal-length of 28mm makes it wide-angle on a Full-Frame camera or almost Normal on an APS-C one.

The third lens is an unusual fisheye zoom. The full-frame Nikkor AF-S 8-15mm F/3.5-4.5E Fisheye is exceptional in that it is only the second lens to switch between a circular and rectangular fisheye. At its widest it creates a circular image covering 180° angle-of-view. At the longest it still covers an impressive 175° diagonal-angle-of-view rendered as a rectangular image.

This Nikkor fisheye is one of the few to be weatherproof. It is fitted with a super-sonic autofocus drive which can focus down to 16cm, giving it a maximum magnification of 0.34X. This is almost the highest magnification of any fisheye lens.

Availability is scheduled as mid-summer for all three lenses. The suggest prices reflect their expected performance: $310 USD or $415 CDN for the 10-20mm, $1900 USD or $2700 CDN for the 28mm and $1250 USD or $1700 for the 8-15mm fisheye.

• Lens