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Magic Lantern Guides: NIKON Lenses - Moose Peterson

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P hotograph your world through a Nikon zoom lens. Nikon is dedicated to innovation and excellence in the manufacture of interchangeable camera lenses. Take a look at the comprehensive assortment of NIKKOR optics—marvels of clarity, consistency, precision and reliability. The Nikon F lens mount remains one of only a duo of camera lens mount systems (the other is the Pentax K) that were not discarded by their related company with the addition of autofocus lenses, but instead expanded to encounter new requisites associated with autofocus, metering, and aperture control.

The biggest advantage of a zoom lens is flexibility. Using a zoom, I can quickly and without hesitation compose and grab a fleeting moment. Zooms can also shoot any number of diverse framings of the identical scene within a few seconds. A photographer employing a fixed length lens may still be tennis shoe-zooming (which also alters perspective) to the correct distance as the subject opportunity disappears - or no longer is in that endearing position. A subject within a rapidly adjusting space also is better with a zoom.

And zoom lenses do not take as many lens changes that collect sensor-dust, and with less lenses to carry, Changing lenses is inconvenient, time consuming - and a chance for dust to find it's way to the sensor.

Can you use an older lens on a D-SLR Camera?

• Nikon Prime Lens Knowledge base • Lens Reviews Database
• Chronological Lens Index • Camera Reviews Database

Nikon Zoom Lenses Wide Zooms • Standard Zooms • Telephoto Zooms
Nikkor 1 Zoom Lenses for CX Sensor Cameras
Nikkor 1 VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens for CX Sensors - The Nikon VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 CX format Lens is a zoom 3x design created for be used with Nikon 1 CX mirror-less cameras. it's a 27-81mm (equivalent for 35mm SLR cameras) range delivers a remarkably useful range going from a wide-angle to a short telephoto that is just perfect for portraits, landscapes, parties, family photos, --in fact, perhaps 90% of all photographs. Sep 21, 2011
Nikkor 1 VR 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 PD-Zoom for CX Sensors - The Nikon 10-100mm VR f/4.5-5.6 Zoom-PD lens, a simply amazing power zoom engineered for exclusive use on Nikon 1 CX mirror-less cameras. An equivalent 35mm format 27-270mm range is a genuine wide angle lens, a long telephoto lens and everything else in-between. Due to the Nikon 1's full HD 1080p movie capabilities, this lens contains silent zoom featuring an AF voice coil motor (VCM) allowing for three adjustable speeds--producing the ideal lens for capturing video. Sep 21, 2011
Nikkor 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 Zoom for CX Sensors - The Nikon VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, a zoom 3.6x lens engineered for exclusive use with Nikon 1 CX mirror-less cameras. Its equivalent 35mm format range of 81-297mm gives you an ultra telephoto zoom lens, perfect for landscapes portraits, action shots and sports. The VR II Vibration Reduction system allows for shooting at much less shutter speeds, producing sharper photos, than is normally available Sep 21, 2011
Nikon FT-1 lens mount adapter To go along with Nikon's initial incursion into the new mirrorless camera field, Nikon has announced several new accessories to work with the V1 and J1 cameras. The biggest deal of all the accessories is the FT-1 lens mount adapter, which lets you to mount AF-S and AF-I lenses on the Nikon 1 CX cameras. This is seriously important, as those who own Nikon lenses have the opportunity to use their existing lenses on this fresh smaller mirrorless layout. It also should provide for some interesting photography options, such as mounting a big 300mm lens on a miniature sensor to create super zoom factor. And when you employ one of your AF-S or AF-I Nikon lenses, you are still fully able use the fantastic Nikon 1 autofocus arrangement. Sep 21, 2011
Nikon DX Lenses - Serious Vignetting Occurs on FX Cameras
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX. One more stroke of Nikon lens engineering talent which offers the capacity to shoot dramatic, never available before, super-wide angle images. Up until a few years back, prior to Nikon figuring out how to mass produce these aspheric lens elements, fabricating a 14 element lens of this complexity at an affordable cost was just not possible. This lens is a significantly wider angle when measured up to to the older 12-24mm. Typical internet price $900. Jan 14, 2011 Announced Apr 14, 2009
Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED - If you need to use a Nikon DSLR to capture extreme wide angle images, you can select this Nikkor 12-24mm lens, or a comparable Sigma 12-24mm lens for only $50 less the Nikon cost. Spend the extra bucks and get the Nikon. This lens is an optical dream., however, there's an expected distortion from 12mm wide-angle end, although somewhat less than you would possibly expect. Typical internet price: $800.00. Feb 8, 2011
Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S . The Nikon AF-S 14-24mm lens is a striking ultra wide angle zoom that surpasses a majority of the primes within its zoom range from a resolution standpoint, its fast aperture lets plenty of low light in and is built solidly to hold up the harsh handling of a professional photographer (although in combination with the massive amount of glass, earns it the title of the heaviest ultra-wides available and one of the more costly also). Typical internet price: $1,800.00. Feb 10, 2011
Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR AF-S - 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. Announced Feb 9, 2010. Typical internet price is $1090 Feb 20, 2011
NIKKOR 16-85 f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S DX VR Vibration Reduction Image Stabilization. One of the best-kept secret for DX users You would be wise to chose the 16-85mm over Nikon's other basic DSLR zooms (18-xx/xxx) primarily due to its wider zoom capability on the short end, and you will be extremely satisfied with your choice. A 2mm difference doesn't seem like much, but it is very nearly equivalent to the difference between 24mm and 28mm lenses on a 35mm SLR camera. The 16mm setting is impressive. Typical internet price: $524.00. Sep 26, 2011
Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S A first-rate professional quality lens that offers a range of professional-level features for overall superior performance. and is widely held to be one of the best if not the best wide angle professional zoom lens for 35mm SLRs and Digital SLRs compatible with the Nikon lens system and the standard zoom lens for photojournalism and travel photography. Feb 04, 2011. Typical internet price: $1,500.
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX.- Now I know, a few of you out there will argue that the point that for a far less dollars you can get a Tamron f/2.8 SP AF17-50mm Di II Lens complete with hood or a Sigma 18-50mm EX DC f/2.8 HSM Macro, although any such comparisons are totally off base. For starters, the $800 price difference is not just marketing hype. It is sign of totally a totally unique image performance, a better quality build (metal plus sealing). Typical internet price: $1,350.00. . Sep 26, 2011
Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D AF IF-ED If you were looking for a pro lens, this is not it. The Nikkor 18-35 is only a consumer-level ultra-wide zoom (For comparable focal length pro grade lens take a look at the Nikkor 17-35 and the Nikkor 16-35 lenses). The Nikkor 18-35 costs a whole lot less and way lighter than any pro lens, although the build quality is a somewhat less robust. Having just verbally beat it some, I'll say the 18-35 is a superb lens considering the price level, and is easy to carry around all day when you need too. Jan 13, 2011
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR - Kit lens to the both the Nikon D3000 and D5000. Updated November, 2007 and replacing the Nikon 18-55mm II. This AF-S DX-NIKKOR 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, is a lens featuring a built-in Silent Wave Motor and Vibration Reduction (VR). The AF-S DX-NIKKOR 18- 55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR is an affordable, and compact, 3x zoom lens with amazing versatility. Typical internet price: $130.00. Announced Feb 9, 2010 Sep 26, 2011
Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX II . - This Nikon 18-55mm lens was superseded by the almost identical Nikon 18-55mm II in December 2006. Ultra-compact 18-55mm 3x zoom provides superb versatility in a wide variety of shooting situations. Designed exclusively for Nikon DX format SLRs, this lens approximates the picture angle performance of a 27-82.5mm lens on the 35mm SLR format. Typical internet price: $110.00. Sep 26, 2011
Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED AF-S DX - Announced at the same time as the Nikon D70 digital camera. Although the 18-70mm is not a cut rate kit lens while it encompasses a very desirable focal length range of 27-105mm equivalent to 35mm film format. On just about every performance consideration this is a fine lens. a single exception is the vignetting. Typical internet price: $210.00. Mar 9, 2011
Nikon 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 ED AF-S DX VR - If you want a great fun Digital SLR DX wide-angle telephoto lens. this is it. Now if you're a pixel peeper person that analyzes things to no end like shooting newspaper text or a photographing brick wall to measure for distortion and sharpness, don't get this lens, you'll need the Nikkor 24-70 or the 70-200. But if you're just going use it for capturing normal everyday pictures, Typical internet price: $360.00. Announced Apr 1, 2010 Feb 2,, 2011
Nikon 18-200MM F/3.5-5.6G ED VR II DX AF-S. My personal favorite is a zoom. I will normally grab my 18-200mm lens over any of my fixed prime lenses. If there's need for a faster speed, then I grab my 28-70mm f/2.8, my 18-50 f/28, or the 70-200 f/2.8 lens, When I need a substantially quicker shutter speed than q zoom can give me (like capturing a subject in motion in poor light) or when I need the more background blur then one of my prime fixed length lenses is put to work. Mar 3, 2011
Nikon 24-70 f/2.8G ED AF-S - The 24-70mm Nikon lens is an impressive normal zoom that delivers very crisp and contrasty images. featuring a quick aperture it allows plenty of poor light shooting or alternative separation of objects with constrained depth of field, as it releases a remarkably buttery bokeh for any zoom of this focal reach. It's built solid like you'd expect from a professional grade lens and the sonic wave AF motor is super fast and quiet. Typical internet price: $1,700 Feb 11, 2011
Nikon 24-85mm f/2.8-4D IF AF. This Nikkor 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0D lens takes care of a wide and enormously useful territory. It features the quickest aperture of any wide-angle zoom. It's also pretty small and light weight. A 1:2 macro is included, which easily reached by just flipping a switch. The non-rotating front when both focusing or zooming makes it a pleasure to use a polarizing filter. Typical internet price: $475.00. Aug 19, 2011
Nikon 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR - In spite what a few self-anointed website pundits have remarked about this particular lens, it's in reality a very functional piece of glass. Mounted on a D700, the sharpness ranges from adequate to remarkable. Predictably, it does it's best work in the heart of its zoom reach. Typical internet price: $510.00. Announced Aug 19, 2010 Feb 6,, 2011
Nikon 24-120mm F4 G ED VR. Although the 24-120mm f/4G VR Zoom was created primarily to be use on FX DSLR camera, it' feels just as right on any DX DSLR camera. it's a normal 5x zoom on the FX camera bodies, it's just right for portraits, landscapes, or weddings - and an excellent selection for an ideal go-everywhere lens. On a DX camera, it's focal length is bumped up by 1.5x effectively turning it into a daunting longer-range optic having sufficient wide angle for every shot but the widest. Sep 29, 2011
Nikon 28-300mm F3.5-5.36 G 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. Typical Internet Price $990. Announced Aug 19, 2010 May 13, 2011
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED AF-S DX. - An excellent supplement to the Zoom-Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX AF-S lens. It has a SWM (Silent Wave Motor) compact rod-type providing ultra-fast AF with exceptional precision and very-quiet performance. Nikon SIC (Super Integrated Coating) cuts the ghosting and flare down providing even greater contrast with more vivid photos, even in challenged lighting situations. Typical internet price $135.00.
Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR. - The AF-S Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR DX is an all around ultra-compact tele-zoom offering a zoom ratio of 3.6x, ideal for portraits, sports or wildlife photos. It has a 82-300mm 35mm equivalent focal length, when mounted on a DSLR DX Sensor cameras, It's the logical companion for the DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G kit zoom. Typical internet price: $240.00. Sep 24, 2011
Nikon 55-300mm VR - What a fantastic $399 lens. The Nikon 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 G ED VR is ($330 discount priced at ebay) It has metal (not plastic) mount as a few DX lenses available in this price bracket are plastic. I am, really pleased to discover that it has a metal mount with a nice sturdy feeing. The zoom is smooth and there's been no issues involving lens creep when composing at downward angles. Even pointing the camera and attached lens downward and shaking it, it doesn't creep. Announced Aug 19, 2010 Updated 02/06/ 2011
Nikon 70-200MM F/2.8G ED VR II AF-S - The Nikkor 70–200mm f/2.8 VR II, is an update to an often criticized lens. The original version drew complains of vignetting and softness on FX cameras. This version is completely redesigned and features an entirely new optical formula designed to deliver sharp images all the way into the corners. It uses no fewer than 7 ED elements to minimize aberrations and “Nano Crystal Coat” to combat flare. Typical Internet price $2,199
Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR II The Nikon 70-300mm VR II is an extremely accomplished super telephoto zoom lens conceived to unite the requirements equally for DSLR and 35mm SLR photographers. It provides a 4.3x zoom with a spread of 70-300mm (Nikon DX D-SLR equivalent 105-450mm ) and includes Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements that make certain of outstanding optical achievements. Updated 12/11/ 2010
Nikon 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF (Not ED Series, Not VR). If you can live with an f11 aperture for superb quality, the 300mm focal length, should work for you. A better label would be for Nikon call this lens an f4-5.6, but a f5.6-f8, and the setting should not provide for any larger apertures (set your camera to f/11 in aperture priority when you shoot with this lens). Furthermore, in low light it It is awfully slow to focus, if it focuses at all (fireworks are the worst); in poor lighting you should manual focus. Typical internet price: $170.00. Updated 12/12/2010
Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF - The Nikon AF 80-200mm f/2.8D ED is one of a pair of high-speed telephoto zooms in the present Nikon lens stable. it seems that Nikon chose not discontinue this lens because of the rather steep cost of the newest AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR. amusingly they kept this older version (announced back in 1996) rather than keep the newer AF-S 80-200mm f/2.8D IF-ED. nevertheless, Typical internet price: $1,100.00. Feb 28, 2011
Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED AF VR. - Nikon's 80-400mm high-power zoom lens. Without a doubt this lens is worth the price. This lens performs well on the newer digital SLR cameras. There is a reason that the pro's use lenses from the manufacturer of their cameras. The same reason that these lenses cost more! Quality, durability and performance! It's heavy and not particularly quick focusing, but makes great pictures. Typical internet price: $1,699.00. Oct 1, 2011
Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II- The Nikon 200-400mm VR II f/4G ED AF-S is the heir to the Nikon 200-400mm IF-ED f/4G AF-S zoom, providing performance and function enhancements. Also by adopting the Nano Crystal Coat plus VR II vibration reducing system, which allows camera shake advantages similar to an increase in shutter of around 4 stops. Announced Apr 27, 2010 Jun 27, 2011.

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Discontinued Nikkor Lenses
Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX. Typical internet price: $350.00. Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR: Nikon 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED AF-S lens . Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S VR. Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR Nikon 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED AF-S VR
See also Nikon Cameras Nikon DSLR History Nikon Fixed Length Lenses