Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S Lens

Description: Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

The Nikon AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR properly functions on FX sensor and DX--sensor DSLR cameras alike. The lens highlights a super zoom 10x range, and it focuses as close as 18" at each focal distance. On an FX camera, the 28-300 lens encompasses virtually every viewpoint of travel, portrait and landscape photography - even including those elusive far off subjects.

Mounted on a DX-sensor camera, the perceptible focal length obtains a 1.5x jump and it becomes a long-range surprise. The new VR II image stabilizer lets you to shoot the camera handheld at as much as 4 shutter speeds less than would be possible otherwise, assuring capture of dramatically sharper still photos and stable movies.

For critical focusing-instances the lens also features the M/A focus function switch that lets you quickly switch in and out of manual and autofocus functions. Auto-focusing is astonishingly smooth and stealth like - due to the Nikon silent wave motor system. A 9 bladed aperture diaphragm produces a rounded gateway - a feature that's greatly cherished by every bokeh-lover!

My only dislike is the inferior plastic lens hood. Nikon should return to metal shades or find a better way to build plastic ones because the gripping teeth on the plastic hoods easily break off while in the field. Although that's the only issue I have with this outstanding lens.

May 13, 2011

Superzoom
The term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to promote photographic zoom lenses with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 4× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×. Some Digital Camera Review by Gene Wrights have even larger zoom ratios up to 35×. For movie and television use, Panavision holds the record with their 300X HD Lens.

While superzoom lenses have improved greatly in recent years, they still have a number of drawbacks in comparison with shorter-range zooms and prime lenses. Most notable is the much increased likelihood of significant distortions of the image at both extreme ends of the range. Other potential problems include smaller maximum aperture and poorer autofocus performance

Following is a list of superzoom lenses, used for 135 format in SLRs or for APS format in DSLRs. The minimal factor used here is 5× or more. A 28–200 mm has a 75° to 12.3° angle of view, a 28–300 mm (or an 18–200 mm for an APS DSLR) has an 11.1x 75° to 8.2°

The lens elements have been treated with Nikon's Super Integrated Coating - an optical lens coating process that maximizes light transmission while enhancing clarity and contrast. All of these world-class features add up to the AF-S 28-300 ED VR being a go-to lens for just about every adventure.

AF-S Autofocus lens featuring a Silent wave, coreless, integrated, focus motor (unwrapped in 1996). Basically an updated AF-I Autofocus-Silent sporting a "Silent Wave Motor" (ultrasonic) to focus near silently and fast.

Three 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.

D- Distance. Denoted after the  f-number. It signifies the lens has the capacity to use Nikon's 3D Matrix Metering on camera bodies where it is supported.

DX - NIKKOR - Compact and lightweight Nikon DX lenses feature a lesser image circle and are specifically created and optimized for the Nikon D-series, digital SLR camera bodies. An ideal option for photographers and enthusiasts who require shooting of expansive landscapes with Nikon DX DSLR

Two ED- (Extra-low Dispersion Glass Elements)
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. All the newer AF lenses, including AF-S and specifically G, are also D. Nikon no longer makes an effort to mark the D. G-lenses 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.

SIC - Nikon Super Integrated Coating
Nikon uses an elite multilayer lens coating to augment the operation of its lens elements which also helps diminish ghosting and flare to minute levels. Nikon Super Integrated Coat also accomplishes several purposes,

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

VR II Vibration Reduction 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

Zoom Lock Switch - Lets photographers fasten down the lens barrel to its shortest length,

Focus to 18" at Any Focal Length Allows for stunning close-up shots near and far, even on smaller subjects!

• Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Zoom Lens
• Front Lens Cap
• LF-1 Rear Lens Cap
• HB-50 Bayonet Lens Hood
• CL-L1120 Ballistic Nylon Soft Lens Case
• 1-Year Worldwide Limited Warranty, Plus 4- Years Complimentary Extended Service Coverage valid in the 50 United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands

Nikon is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR with a totally new zoom range to the NIKKOR line-up. Featuring almost 11x zoom ratio from 28mm to 300mm this versatile optic brings new levels of flexibility to FX format DSLR users.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories and Software, Nikon Europe says: “We are really excited about this new, all-round lens in the NIKKOR range. The DX format 18-200mm proved to be a massive success, and we are happy to introduce FX format customers to the same advantages this lens can offer.”

Extended 10.7x Zoom Ratio
The AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR’s huge 10.7 zoom ratio makes it the ultimate ‘walkabout’ lens. With an impressive 28-300mm focal range it is set to become a very popular all-rounder for those seeking ultimate coverage from a single lens, useful when travelling light, or working from a fixed position. The flexible aperture range keeps the lens size and weight to a minimum while still providing attractive depth of field effects at the telephoto end.

Advanced Vibration Reduction system
Nikon’s exclusive second generation Vibration Reduction system (VRII) enables steady hand-held shooting at all focal lengths with two modes: Normal and Active. The optical VR system also stabilises the viewfinder image, enabling more accurate autofocus acquisition and framing, especially at the longer focal lengths of the 300mm zoom range, where lighter weight lenses can increase the risk of unwanted camera shake.

State of the art optical construction
The AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR features two ED and three aspherical elements to effectively manage the risk of aberrations that can occur with super-zoom lenses. The lens can focus as close as 50cm at all focal lengths for added flexibility.

Fast Handling
The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) was designed specifically to deliver quiet and accurate AF operation across the extended zoom range with intuitive manual override. A zoom lock switch prevents ‘zoom creep’ (the lens moving under its own weight when tilted during transportation) and maintains compact dimensions when not in use. The lens construction features extensive use of magnesium for durability and provides well-balanced handling.

Complete with dedicated HB-50 hood and soft pouch, the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR weighs in at an economical 800g.