Nikon 16-35mm f/4G AF-S ED VR Lens

In 2007 when Nikon created the AF-S 14-24/2.8 lens, they established a new standard when it comes to ultra wide lenses, for sharpness, by creating better resolution than a few of the best prime lenses in this range. Although there's a substantial amount of distortion on the wide range, there's also a tendency to manufacture flare spots and in the most unforeseen circumstances and not an easy fix as there's no thread to even mount a filter, it's not everybody's sweetheart.

Fast forward to PMA 2010 when Nikon surprised us with another professional category ultra wide angle, the AF-S 16-35/4 VR. It's a full stop less than its sibling but instead, includes optical stabilization and a wider focal range.

The target for AF-S 16-35/4 VR. lens is primarily the professional community and therefore the manufacture quality is high as a result. The outer most barrel is constructed of magnesium alloy, there are dust and moisture seals for protection from the elements. Both the focus and zoom rings function smoothly and are damped well, but the focus unit provided a little bit of play: not exactly in the ring, but in the coupling within the actual focus element. When reversing the focus direction, a few millimeters of travel are needed until the focus element actually goes along with the focusing ring. This is somewhat annoying when attempting to get critical focus, for instance using Live View.

Dissimilar to the 14-24 this lens sports a nearly flat front lens element and accepts a 77mm filter. We can be thankful for the internal focus system (IF) which allows the inner tube to remain stationary during focusing while the front lens element and filter mount do not turn.

The physical lens length does not change, although the inner tube travels in accordance the focal length inside of a solidly built outer tube At 24mm the most inner lens tube travels almost 1 cm inwardly and comes back only half of the way outwards until 35 mm is reached.

The HB-23 petal shaped hood employed on other Nikon DX and FX ultra wides is provided with this lens.

Although it has modest specifications, it's astoundingly long but looks rather similar to the AF-S 24-70. although It's not as thick, but longer than the 14-24, although it's bigger than the older model AF-S 17-35/2.8.

Being a G lens, the Nikkor 16-35 VR there's no aperture ring. but because of a Silent Wave Motor autofocus is expectedly quick and quiet. By direct comparison, the AF on the AF-S 14-24 has a feeling of being somewhat more responsive, though. Nikon claims shutter speeds as much as 4 stops less can be achieved with VR II. Actual results may vary dependent on the photographer, naturally.

In my tests up to a three stops increase in shutter times were achieved at the long range and two stops slower at the shortest end of the zoom length focusing on a non-moving subject. Typical internet price is $1090  Feb 20, 2011

Definitive Wide-Angle Zoom Lens
This versatile wide-angle zoom lens is perfect for travel, land and cityscapes, and general photography.

3 AS - Aspherical lens elements Nikon unveiled the first lens in 1968 featuring aspherical camera lens elements. What makes them different? Aspherical lenses all but eliminates the issues of coma and related kinds of lens aberrations even when employed at the maximum aperture.

2 ED- (Extra-low Dispersion)
a necessary element of the Nikon telephoto lens Nikon engineered Extra-low Dispersion optical glass to facilitate the manufacture of lenses that provide superior color correction and sharpness by diminishing chromatic aberrations

G - labeled after the f-number.
A G-lens contains no aperture ring, therefore aperture may only be electronically controlled by the camera and only autofocus camera bodies featuring function dials have the capacity to control G lenses

IF- Internal Focusing
The ability to have a lens focus while it's size remains unchanged. Nikon’s IF engineering allows that to happen. All internal optical travel is contained within the inside of the non-extension lens container.

M/A mode
AF-S Nikon lenses include the exclusive Nikon M/A focus function, that permits switching from auto to manual focus virtually without time lag - even while the AF servo is in operation regardless of the AF mode in play.

N-Nano Crystal Coat
Nano Crystal Coat consist of an antireflective coat that stemmed from the cultivation of Nikon NSR-series (Step and Repeat type) semiconductor fabricating devices

RD- Rounded 9 Blade Diaphragm
Soft-focus images of point light resources create accepted polygonal shapes that mirror the form of the cavity produced by the diaphragm blades. .

SWM- Silent Wave Motor
Nikon AF-S engineering is yet one more rationale why professional photographers like Nikon telephoto optical lenses.

VR II system
Provides the equivalent of employing a 4 stops faster shutter speed This second generation VR is known as VR II, that was engineered to provide an additional 1-stop improvement over the initial VR

• Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR Wide Angle Zoom Lens
• LF-1 Rear Lens Cap for F Mount Lenses
• 77mm Snap-On Lens Cap
• CL-1120 Soft Lens Case
• Replacement soft lens case
• 5-Year Limited Warranty (1-Year + 4-Year USA Extension)

NIKON RELEASES TWO HIGHLY ANTICIPATED WIDE ANGLE NIKKOR LENSES DESTINED TO BECOME PHOTOGRAPHER FAVORITES

The Ultra-Wide 16-35mm f/4 VR and Ultra-Fast 24mm f/1.4 Lenses Provide Photographers With New Perspectives and Creative Versatility

MELVILLE, N.Y. (February 8, 2010) – Nikon Inc. today announced two new lenses for professional and enthusiast photographers that epitomize NIKKOR leadership in optical excellence. The highly anticipated AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens is engineered to meet the demand for an ultra-fast professional lens for wide angle applications, while the AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR offers Nikon’s widest FX-format focal range with VR, offering additional versatility to a broad range of photographers.

“The 16-35mm f/4 VR and 24mm f/1.4 are two new lenses designed to address the needs of an ever-expanding number of Nikon FX-format photographers, delivering dramatic perspectives, amazing clarity, contrast and color when capturing stills or HD video,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “Customers that choose these new lenses will experience excellent image quality and sturdy handling, which is made possible through our commitment to excellence and expert NIKKOR engineering.”

World renowned NIKKOR technologies play an essential role in the design of these two new lenses, and both feature Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology for quiet, fast and accurate autofocus performance. The optical construction of both lenses also utilizes precision Nikon ED glass elements along with multiple aspherical elements to suppress chromatic aberrations resulting in sharp, high contrast images. Additionally, Nikon’s proprietary Nano-Crystal Coat minimizes instances of internal “ghosting” and flaring, further ensuring exceptional image integrity.

The 24mm f/1.4G ED Lens Perhaps one of the most hotly anticipated lenses in recent memory, the new AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED lens blends a natural yet versatile 24mm perspective with an ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture to expand an existing collection of well over 60 NIKKOR interchangeable lenses. The f/1.4 maximum aperture allows photographers to shoot handheld in low light and provides dramatic separation between subject and a softened background. In a wide variety of photographic situations, both FX and DX-format shooters will enjoy the benefits of extra-bright f/1.4 viewing, superb image quality and the dramatic perspectives afforded by a picture angle of 84 degrees (61 degrees when mounted on a DX-format body).

The 16-35mm f/4 VR Lens Brings a New Perspective to VR The new AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens is an ideal lens for enthusiasts and professionals craving a constant maximum aperture and ultra-wide angle zoom versatility with the benefits of Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) II image stabilization. As the widest FX-format NIKKOR zoom lens with VR, users can realize the ability to shoot up to four shutter speeds slower than otherwise possible, expanding low light shooting opportunities and contributing to dramatically sharper handheld photography and video capture. Nikon VR II image stabilization technology is engineered specifically for and optimized to function most effectively for each lens, ensuring optimum performance. Whether joining the growing ranks of FX-format photographers or using the Nikon DX-format, photographers will appreciate the perspectives possible when shooting architecture, interiors, landscapes and more.