We just love it when rumours are true!
It has been rumoured for some time now, and finally Nikon officially announced a new pair of lightweight super telephoto FX prime lenses – the Nikkor AF-S 500mm F/4E FL ED VR and 600mm F4E FL ED VR! Aside from being the world’s lightest lenses at their corresponding focal lengths, due to the incorporation of two fluorite elements each, both lenses now employ Nikon’s Electromagnetic Diaphragm for more uniform exposure control while shooting in burst mode.
The Nikkor 500mm comes in at about 800g lighter than its predecessor and includes three Extra Low Dispersion elements , while the 600mm weighs an entire 1.4kg lighter than the previous version. Both new lenses feature Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coating and are VR rated for up to 4 stops of stabilisation.
LIVE THE ACTION WITH NEW NIKKOR SUPER-TELEPHOTO LENSES
(Information courtesy of Nikon South Africa)
Experience flawless telephoto performance with the new AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR
SINGAPORE – The new world’s lightest 500mm and 600mm FX-format telephoto lenses are set to redefine the super-telephoto shooting experience as Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd introduced the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR today. With redefined optics and exceptional design, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR with 500 mm focal length and the AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR with a 600mm focal length fuel powerful yet precise image capture, be it on location in the rainforest and savannah, or even at the racing pit. Created in pure passion and by renowned NIKKOR technology, photographers can keep the adrenaline pumping with the lenses’ capability to produce powerful image and video creation.
“Backed by innovative NIKKOR engineering, both AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR expand the potential of image creation, building on decades of supporting the best photographers in the field. These super-telephoto NIKKOR lenses are designed to deliver that familiar reliability and optical precision in a package that is significantly lighter in weight,” said Hiroaki Ono, General Manager of International Marketing Division Imaging Group, Nikon Singapore Pte Ltd. “Superior autofocus tracking, Vibration Reduction with an effect equivalent to 4.0 stops, and fluorite lenses for reduced weight and improved performance are just some of the features of these new lenses. Each element of the lenses seeks to aid photographers in their telephoto capture of sports, action and nature at its finest.”
AF-S NIKKOR 500MM F/4E FL ED VR AND AF-S NIKKOR 600MM F/4E FL ED VR PRIMARY FEATURES
REMARKABLY LIGHT, SOLIDLY BUILT
For photographers travelling the world, these lenses with advanced NIKKOR lens technology are made perfect for the road. At approximately 3090g and 3810g respectively, the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR are designed for high optical precision in a significantly lighter body with the use of two fluorite lens elements. Additionally, both lenses feature barrels crafted from magnesium alloy to reduce weight yet achieve durability.
WORLD CLASS OPTICS
Experience the liberty to take high quality shots of vivid clarity and minimised distortion, without the worry of unwanted lens flare and chromatic aberration. Fluorite lens elements, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and Nano Crystal Coat are employed in combination to accurately capture the light flow through the lens, and in turn, create results of vibrant, accurate colours and rich details. The hassles of post-processing are reduced thereby giving an advantage to photographers working on time-sensitive jobs.
STEADY COMPOSITION, EXCEPTIONAL DETAIL
Confirming composition and focus point for sharper shots is made possible with NIKKOR’s Vibration Reduction (VR) system in modes of ‘NORMAL’ and ‘SPORT’, incorporated to keep up with the most exhilarating action. In ‘NORMAL’ mode, a shutter speed effect equivalent up to 4.0 stops is ensured, allowing photographers to craft and compose easily by stabilising the image in the viewfinder for general scenes. In contrast, the ‘SPORT’ mode excels at tracking rapidly moving subjects from a distance such as surfers catching a wave or birds in flight.
ALWAYS IN SIGHT
Accuracy in photographing fast-moving objects from a distance is amplified with the lenses’ superior autofocus (AF) tracking, even during high-speed continuous shooting. Photographers are able to shoot continuously, even when encountering the unpredictable movement of wildlife or racing cars approaching the camera rapidly. The improved AF tracking is complemented by a reliable auto-exposure control with the employment of an electromagnetic aperture mechanism. The particular mechanism enables the aperture to be controlled via electric signals from the camera body for further accuracy. Aided by these lenses, even panning shots and gorgeous time lapse scenes are now easy to create.
New lenses look truly amazing and with the substantial reduction in weight a lot more versatile. Please let me know once they become available in SA and the prices are known.