Nikon has announced the Nikkor Z-mount DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR zoom lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras. Nikon positions it as a high-power zoom lens that is extremely compact and easy to carry, making it an ideal travel or everyday lens.
According to the company, the new 18-140mm compact zoom lens from Nikon measures just 3.6 inches (90mm) long, weighs approximately 11.2 ounces (315 grams), and has a 0.2 meter (7.9 inches) minimum focusing distance at the wide-angle position letting users capture dynamic close-up images in scenarios like product and tabletop photography. The compact size and weight should make it an excellent choice for a walk-about lens that photographers can use for capturing nearly any scenario presented to them.
The company says the new lens will achieve consistently high resolution regardless of focal length and shooting distance, making it a good choice for still photography as well as video recording. The new lens also has a five-stop vibration reduction system (VR) that will let users get sharper and more stable images and video during telephoto shooting or low-light situations. Nikon did not specify if this improves when combined with a camera’s on-sensor stabilization.
The 18mm-140mm telephoto zoom lens covers a 27mm-210mm equivalent range on a 35mm full-frame sensor and has a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.33x at the maximum telephoto position. The lens has a 62mm filter thread.
The new lens is constructed of 17 elements in 13 groups, of which two are ED (extra-low dispersion) glass elements and two others are aspherical elements, which usually are applied to reduce chromatic and comatic aberrations while improving overall resolving power. It also utilizes a seven-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm.
Select functions can be assigned to the control ring for enhanced control during still and video shooting, and the company also says the autofocus is fast, precise, and incredibly quiet thanks to the use of an STM (stepping motor) system that also helps reduce shifting of focus when zooming in or out during video shooting. Nikon also says that it maintains the angle of view when adjusting focus manually.
The new Nikkor Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR telephoto zoom lens will be available to order in November for $600.
Author: David Crewe
Source: Petapixel
