Nikon has announced a new high end prime lens with a pretty extreme focal length at 300mm. This telephoto lens from Nikon is fast with its f/2.8 and it has the new Vibration Reduction technology. The lens also has a new focus mode, weatherproof sealing and focus limit switcher.

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II lens will be available in January 2010 and cost about $5900 so you need a big budget to be able to purchase this lens.

Press release:
Nikon Introduces the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II

Raising the bar for hand held telephoto photography

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, December 10, 2009 – Nikon Europe today announces a new super telephoto lens to replace the AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED. The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II features the new generation of Vibration Reduction technology (VR II) and a new A/M focus mode, making it an ideal choice for sports, action and wildlife photographers. This lens is designed for those who are serious about photography.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says: “The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II comparatively light weight and compact dimensions make it a perfect choice for hand held super telephoto photography, particularly when used with a teleconverter. The new VRII system offers four or more stops of compensation, and makes this a really practical solution for the news and wildlife photographer”. The evolution of the NIKKOR lens reflects a commitment to developing a range of products tailored to photographers’ needs, and it strengthens the line-up of high-performance NIKKOR lenses.

Sharper action images
The AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II features the second generation built in Vibration Reduction (VRII), providing the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower so sharper images can be achieved when using the camera for hand-held shooting. In addition, the new A/M mode added to existing M/A and M modes enables autofocus priority even if the focus ring is being handled during shooting. Weighing in at 2,900g this is a lens that ticks every box for those who are serious about action photography.

Built for any environment
This super telephoto lens is designed with the photographer in mind and has the same excellent optical system as its predecessor. Those who need extreme speed and quiet to capture wildlife, can rely on the autofocus with a built-in silent wave motor to ensure you won’t disrupt the action. To top off the extensive features,, this lens is also sealed to withstand the affects of dust and moisture, allowing photographers to keep shooting whatever the conditions. Finally, the lens construction features eleven elements in eight groups, including three ED glass elements and Nano Crystal Coat.

Specifications
Focal length 300mm
Max/min aperture Min f/22 Max f/2.8
Lens construction 11 elements in 8 groups
Picture angle 8◦10’
No. diaphragm blades 9 (rounded)
Closest focusing distance 2.3m/7.5ft. (AF); 2.2m/7.2ft. (MF)
Filter/attachment size 52mm
Diameter x length Approx. 124 x 267.5 mm/ 4.9 x 10.5 in.
Weight 2,900g

SLR Gear has tested the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor prime lens. This wide angle lens from Nikon has a compact construction and has auto focus.
Let us hear what the reviewer thinks about the lens and see if it is worth the $360 price tag. They have tested the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D lens on a full frame Nikon DSLR camera.

SLR Gear ends up giving the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor a pretty good review as the lens is able to take very sharp pictures especially when you stop it down to f/5.6. The lens has some shortcomings like corner softness when taking pictures wide open and a bit of chromatic aberrations. Some Nikon camera bodies are able to correct the chromatic aberrations.
Read the full review of the Nikon 24mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor prime lens here.

Photozone.de has reviewed the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens for the FX mount. They have tested the Nikkor lens on a Nikon D3x DSLR camera body. With its hefty price tag it will be interesting to see if this lens is a good performer.

Photozone ends up giving the Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens a “Highly Recommended” rating. The Nikon lens is able to produce of high quality and it is very well built. The constant f/2.8 is great for low light shooting and for getting a shallow depth of field. The only downsides are some vignetting at the wide end, a bit chromatic aberration and not possible to attach filters.
Read the full review of the Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens here.

SLRgear has reviewed a prime lens from Nikon, the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor. This lens is quite interesting for portrait photographers with its f/2, but the Nikon lens is quite expensive. The lens also feature “defocus control” where you can the appearance and nature of the out of foucs areas in photos.

SLRgear ends up giving the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor lens a very good review as you get good results wide open and if you stop it down to f/2.8 you get excellent results. The lens handle chromatic aberration and there is about zero vignetting and distortion. The reviewer also enjoyed the defocus control. So I guess the only downside for the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor is the high price, but when it comes to optics you get what you pay for.
Read the full review of the Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC Nikkor lens here.

Dpreview has reviewed the new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX lens that Nikon announced back in February 2009. The lens is only compatible for DX-mount DSLR camera bodies and can not be used on the Full Frame cameras from Nikon.

Andy Westlake of Dpreview ends up giving the Nikon lens a “Highly Recommended” rating because it is able to produce excellent photos when you stop it down a little. It also has very good and fast auto focus.
The only downsides that the Nikon lens is a bit soft wide open, and it got some purple fringing and chromatic aberrations.
Seems like an excellent prime lens for Nikon photographers on a budget.
Read the full review of the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm 1:1.8G DX lens here.

Nikon has announced the new AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G. According to Nikon this is the first fixed focal length lens with such fast aperture.
This lens seems very interesting for Nikon photographers who want to separate they want to photograph from the background. This is especially a good feature for portraits.

The Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G lens will be available in March 2009 and cost about $200.

Press release:
Nikon Introduces The Fastest DX-Format Lens To Date: The AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Feb. 8, 2009) – Nikon Inc. today announced the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens, which is the first fixed focal length, fast-aperture DX-format lens that affords photographers superb image quality along with the creative possibilities and versatility of the classic 50mm focal length (FX-format equivalent of 52mm). When mounted on a DX-format camera body, it enables photographers to document their world with a lens that produces a picture angle similar to the field of vision as seen through the human eye. Whether new to D-SLRs or a seasoned enthusiast, users will appreciate the extreme low-light performance and the expanded ability to dramatically separate the subject and background with the new 35mm DX lens’ wide f/1.8 aperture.

“The development and release of the 35mm f/1.8 NIKKOR lens delivers new and added versatility to the Nikon DX-format digital SLR system and provides DX-format photographers with a broader range of fast-aperture lens options,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon Inc. “This f/1.8 prime lens provides users with exceptional control of background and foreground, superb low-light ability, and the natural focal length that has been the staple of photography since its inception.”

Lightweight, compact and affordable, this lens can easily become a fast favorite for any level of photographer, and is the perfect complement to D60 users who are just starting to learn D-SLR photography or enthusiasts who love their D90. The AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens is ideal for travel, general photography, landscape shooting, portraiture or pushing creative boundaries. The stunning sharpness, clarity and color reproduction are all proof positive of more than 75 years of NIKKOR heritage and experience in optics engineering.

This lens continues the tradition of NIKKOR precision optics to provide photographers with sharp, high-resolution images and the ability to focus as close as 0.98 feet, while the integration of an ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor ensures fast, whisper-quiet AF operation.

The 35mm DX lens construction consists of eight elements in three groups, with an aspherical element to reduce size and weight, while contributing to the enhanced balance when mounted on a smaller DX-format D-SLR. A rounded diaphragm opening combined with the nine-blade aperture contributes to a substantially more circular bokeh for a more natural appearance of out-of-focus background elements. Additionally, instances of lens flare and chromatic aberration are suppressed using Nikon’s exclusive Super Integrated Coatings, which also help ensure vividly accurate color balance.

The AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G lens is scheduled to be available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning March 2009 at an estimated selling price of $199.95.* For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

DIWA Labs has tested the AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens on the Nikon D700 DSLR camera body. According to DIWA Labs this lens seems to be a good match for the D700 and it also has a very nice price tag.

Read all the tests of the Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens on Nikon D700 camera body here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.

Buy the Nikon D700 from BH Photo and get free shipping.

The German testing website Photozone.de has tested the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G lens from Nikon. This new prime lens from Nikon have built in Silent Wave Motor that make them able to auto focus on the D60/D40x/D40 DSLR bodies.

Photozone ends up giving the Nikon lens a “Highly Recommended” rating due to the fact that lens is able to produce pictures of high quality, good build quality and ok auto focus speed. The only downsides are some soft corners and a bit busy bokeh at the widest apertures
Read the full review of the Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G lens here.
Buy the Nikon Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.4 G lens from BH Photo.

Photozone.de has reviewed the new Nikon Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens that follow as kit lens with the Nikon D90 DSLR camera. The lens has a very interesting zoom range and a nice price at about .

Photozone ends up giving the Nikon lens an ok verdict due to the fact that lens is able to produce pretty good pictures, but there is some distortion, chromatic aberration and the build quality could be better.
Overall this Nikkor lens should be worth looking at for Nikon photographers on a budget.
Read the full review of the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens here.

DIWA Labs has tested the Nikon 200mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor lens on a Nikon D3 camera body. This lens has very impressive specifications with 200mm at f/2, but you need a pretty high price for the lens at about $4,299.

DIWA Labs are praising the 200mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor lens as it is giving them some impressive test results with very good sharpness at all apertures and little geometric distortion. Seems like an excellent telelens for everyone that can afford it.
Read all the tests of the Nikon 200mm f/2G ED-IF AF-S VR Nikkor lens here.
The tests done by DIWA Labs are very technical so you need to read their test guide to understand the test results.