Nikkor AF-S VR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED

Nikon bersiap meluncurkan sebuah lensa baru. Lensa ini tampaknya ditargetkan kepada para pro dan amatir serius, atau yg berkantung tebal, berotot, atau minimal yg punya tripod sepadan. Spesifikasi dan feature-nya cukup menarik. Bagi yg belum tahu, saya paste-kan disini. Kalau mau lihat gambarnya dan detil lebih lengkap, ini link-nya. Tampaknya Nikon terus menambah jajaran lensa VR dan G-nya.

TOKYO -- Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED supertelephoto 2x zoom lens.

The AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED -- a significant advance for professional telephoto photography -- can be used with either film or D-series digital SLR cameras.

* When used with a DX Format digital SLR, this lens operates as a 300-600mm supertelephoto lens, with a picture angle up to the equivalent of 900mm with the TC-14EII and 1,200mm with the TC-20EII teleconverter.

It features Nikon's Vibration Reduction (VR) system and exclusive built-in SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, quiet autofocus.

Targeted at professional photographers, this lens complements the existing AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED in the AF Nikkor lineup. Combined, they cover unprecedented focal range while maintaining the image quality demanded by the most exacting professionals.

Vibration Reduction (VR) delivers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster*, for sharper focus and greater depth of field. The VR system automatically detects panning and functions for both panning and vertical shake. Users can choose from [NORMAL] or [ACTIVE] modes, depending on the shooting conditions. [NORMAL] mode covers for regular hand shake with support for panning as well as tracking shots. For example, when panning (horizontally) while tracking a moving subject, vibration reduction suppresses only vertical hand shake. [NORMAL] mode is available whether shooting with the camera in the hand or using a tripod. [ACTIVE] mode is available to suppress vibration when shooting while on a moving vehicle.

Four buttons in front of the lens' focus ring let the photographer easily select from the [AF-L], [MEMORY RECALL], and [AF-ON] functions. The Focus Preset function allows you to set a distance to which the focus will instantly and automatically return.

A new optical design features four ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements that minimize chromatic aberration, producing consistently high quality images. Nine-blade rounded diaphragms ensure a more natural look for parts of the scene intended to be out-of-focus.

In recognition of the need for immediate response in professional supertelephoto photography, this lens is designed for quick, intuitive operation. Users can switch quickly between AF and manual focus. The protective glass uses a removable filter-type lens. And the Internal Focusing (IF) design delivers smoother focusing and a balanced body.

With its unprecedented versatility, responsiveness and image quality, the new AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED sets a new standard among supertelephoto lenses.

*As determined by Nikon performance tests.

AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED Major Features Delivers super-high performance on both film and DX Format digital SLR cameras When mounted on a Nikon DX Format camera, the lens' picture angle is 8 ° to 4 °, the equivalent of 300-600mm on a 35mm [135] format camera Vibration Reduction (VR) system delivers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster*

*As determined by Nikon performance tests. Note: VR operation works with the Nikon F5, F100, F80 (N80), F75 (N75), F65(N65), D2H, D1-series and D100.

Also New Nikon Speedlight SB-800 dengan i-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash bila dipasangkan dgn Nikon D2h, D-TTL Balanced Fill-Flash control system bila dipasangkan dgn Nikon D-SLR, TTL and Non-TTL Auto Flash pada kamera film.

Saya juga membaca press release Nikon ini beberapa minggu yg lalu. Lensa dengan focal range dan features yg lumayan menggiurkan, tapi harganya itu mahal sekali (sekitar US$ 8000-an!). Dengan jumlah uang yg tidak jauh berbeda, anda bisa mendapatkan lensa 300mm/f2.8 AF-S II dan 400mm/f2.8 AF-S II yang lebih cepat 1 stop dan juga mempunyai performance yang sangat bagus. Tetapi memang di situasi-situasi tertentu, lensa 200-400/f4 yg baru ini mungkin lebih unggul karena lensa ini adalah lensa zoom (lebih flexible) dan menggunakan teknologi Vibration Reduction.

P.S. Click link ini untuk melihat foto lensa 200-400/f4 terbaru dari Nikon ini, berikut dengan digital SLR Nikon D2x (yup, you read it correctly...D2x, not D2h)

Lebih tertarik sama AFS 12-24 DX atau AFS 17-55 DX...;;)

Mas Adrian, maksudnya Nikon kelihatannya sih begitu. Pembeli jadi banyak pilihan, mau yg fixed, atau zoom yg versatile. Jadi yg mau beli lensa di focal-length tele foto makin punya banyak pilihan sekarang (selama harga nggak jadi masalah!).

Yg menarik dari lensa ini adalah Memory Focus itu ya, yg dpt mengingat posisi fokus.

Mas Fadil,
Harganya loh ... muahal tenan karena zoom dengan fixed aperture (f/4).
Seperti Mas Adrian bilang, lebih baik spend di 300 mm f/2.8 yang ketajamannya saya yakin lebih bagus.

lensa idaman saya, dulu tahun 1984 nikon juga pernah keluarkan lensa 400-200/4 IF ED , sayang hanya diproduksi dalam waktu yang singkat