Entry 180 : Nikon Announces Three New Lenses: NIKKOR 500mm f/4E VR, NIKKOR 600mm f/4E VR, and NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E DX VR

Hello, there!

Just recently, Nikon Malaysia announced the release of three new lenses, two of them being updates to prime super telephotos as follows.

The New World’s Lightest 500mm & 600mm FX-format Telephoto Lenses

AF-S NIKKOR 500MM F/4E FL ED VR

AF-S NIKKOR 600MM F/4E FL ED VR

What were previously super huge and extremely heavy lenses now come in a lighter form factor, with redefined optics to aid in autofocus, and deploy Nikon's fluorine coating for better durability in harsh conditions.

Here's a summary of the primary features of the lenses: 

• Build quality & weight: At approximately 3090g and 3810g, respectively, the NIKKOR 500mm f4E VR and NIKKOR 600mm f4E VR are designed for high optical precision in a significantly lighter body, where both lenses are made of magnesium alloy to retain durability.
• Optics: Minimised distortion, lens flare, and chromatic aberration. With the implementation of Fluorite (FL) lens elements, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and Nano Crystal Coat, light flow is accurately captured through the lens, thus resulting in vibrant, accurate colours and rich details.
• Image stabilization: NIKKOR’s Vibration Reduction (VR) system in NORMAL and SPORT mode are incorporated to keep up with the most exhilarating action to produce sharper shots. In NORMAL mode, a shutter speed effect equivalent up to 4.0 stops is ensured. In contrast, the SPORT mode excels at tracking rapidly moving subjects from a distance.
• AF & tracking + Exposure smoothing: The improved autofocus (AF) tracking, which tracks and captures fast-moving subjects with tack precision, is complemented by a reliable auto-exposure control with the employment of an electromagnetic aperture mechanism. This enables the aperture to be controlled via electric signals from the camera body for further accuracy.
• Durability: The fluorine coating applied to the meniscus protective glass at the front of the lens aids in protecting the glass from dirt, water droplets, or grease. Durability is also enhanced with the inclusion of a tripod collar ring with bearings to enable a smooth transitioning between horizontal and vertical shooting.

Here's a few sample shots using the NIKKOR 500mm f4E and NIKKOR 600mm f4E (photos courtesy of Nikon Malaysia):

Shot with AF-S NIKKOR 500MM F/4E FL ED VR

Shot with AF-S NIKKOR 500MM F/4E FL ED VR

Shot with AF-S NIKKOR 600MM F/4E FL ED VR 

Besides that, Nikon Malaysia also announced a brand new lens for DX body users:

DX-format Photography Ascends to New Heights  

AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80MM F/2.8-4E ED VR

A brilliant addition to the line-up of some quality DX glass, the new NIKKOR 16-80mm f2.8-4E DX is a step up from the old kit lens with almost the same range, which is the NIKKOR 16-85mm f3.5-5.6G DX.

The NIKKOR 16-80mmThis marks the first NIKKOR DX-format lens to employ various class-leading NIKKOR technology usually found in super telephoto lenses.

With features including Nano Crystal Coating, fluorine (FL) coating, Extra-low Dispersion (ED) lens elements, and Vibration Reduction (VR), this new lens bears the promise of speed, accuracy and superior image quality.

Check out the summary of the NIKKOR 16-80mm f2.8-4E DX's primary features below:

• Weight: Weighing only approximately 480g, it is best suited for photographers who want to pack light but need superb image quality.
• Image stabilization: Even without the use of a tripod, photographers can get crisp, solid images due to the built-in VR, which provides the equivalent effect of shooting at shutter speeds up to 4.0 stops faster.
• Optics:  Less image distortion and unwanted light effects such as ghosting, lens flare and chromatic aberration is achieved by the combination of Nano Crystal Coat, aspherical lens, and ED lens elements. These cutting-edge optical imaging components are adopted together for the first time in a DX-format lens, giving photographers the flexibility and potential to seize unparalleled clarity.
• Exposure smoothing: Another first for DX-format lenses, this lens also incorporates an electromagnetic aperture mechanism. The aperture is controlled via electric signals from the camera body for precise auto-exposure control even during high-speed continuous shooting.
• Durability: The fluorine (FL) coating applied on the outer surfaces of the extreme front and rear lens elements to helps repel dust, water droplets, grease and dirt for easy cleaning. The unique NIKKOR lens technology, applied to a DX-format lens for the very first time, delivers higher durability and is more peel-resistant, even with a higher frequency of lens surface cleaning. 

These are some sample shots taken using the NIKKOR 16-80mm f2.8-4E DX (photos courtesy of Nikon Malaysia):

All three of those lenses sound extremely good on paper (or screen).

Nikon is doing a good job by improving the lenses durability-wise with the implementation of the fluorine coats on all the new lenses, which is a very welcoming upgrade.
It would also be interesting to see how the electromagnetic aperture mechanism works in real-world situations.

I am especially interested in the new NIKKOR 16-80mm f2.8-4E DX for its range and large maximum aperture.

A boost from the previous 16-85mm, which has a variable aperture of f3.5-5.6, I think that this would be the new "King of DX lenses", dethroning the ever-so-glorified NIKKOR 17-55mm f2.8 DX.

Of course, nothing is for sure until I get my hands on one to review but I really have high hopes for this lens.

My only concern is the price (not stated in the press release) and the fact that it is still only for DX bodies.

And that's about it.

Tell me what you think of these new lenses and if you're thinking of getting one for yourself.

Hit me up in the comments below!