Medium-telephoto Micro lens with VR enhances the enjoyment of macro photography

TOKYO — Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR, a DX-format, medium-telephoto micro lens with built-in Vibration Reduction (VR II) and Silent Wave Motor (SWM). With a focal length of 85mm, this compact and lightweight lens is recommended for users of Nikon DX-format digital SLRs such as the D5000 and D90. The18°50’picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in Nikon FX- and 35mm-format cameras).

The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR can be used in a wide range of applications. While users can enjoy the natural perspective and beautiful blur that a medium-telephoto lens can offer in landscapes and portraits, this micro lens is especially expected to promote the enjoyment of macro photography for taking insects, small animals and flowers. High resolving power is realized throughout the entire shooting range from infinity to the closest focusing distance (1:1 life size) to reproduce even the fine texture of flower petals.

Built-in VR II (Vibration Reduction) enables users to take sharp pictures at shutter speeds approximately four stops slower* than would otherwise be possible, thereby minimizing image blur caused by camera shake. This remarkably expands user freedom during hand-held shooting. In addition, blur-corrected image in the viewfinder makes focusing and composition easy.
*As determined in Nikon performance tests

Built-in SWM (Silent Wave Motor) enables quiet AF operation, especially effective for the macro shooting of easily disturbed subjects such as insects and small animals. Internal Focusing (IF) system means the lens barrel length does not change during focusing, which ensures worry-free macro shooting while maintaining a constant working distance. M/A (manual-priority autofocus) mode enables instant switching from autofocus to manual focus by rotating the focus ring, even during AF servo operation. This permits fine focus adjustment without removing your eye from the viewfinder.

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Major Features

• Medium-telephoto 85mm Micro lens (picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in FX/35mm format)
• Closest focusing distance of 0.286 m/0.9 ft. (life size)
• The optical system featuring an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element is optimized for DX-format digital SLRs
• Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast, quiet AF operation
• Two focus modes available - M/A and M
• IF (Internal Focusing) enables focusing without changing the length of lens barrel
• The nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening gives out-of-focus elements a more natural appearance

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Specifications

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.

NIKON’S NEW AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5 MICRO NIKKOR LENS ENABLES FURTHER CREATIVITY WITH SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN FOR CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPHY

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.