dSLR Dad

The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G prime lens brings a Silent Wave Motor to Nikon’s standard prime lenses.  With an ultra-fast f/1.4 aperture, this lens will allow you to photograph in extremely low light.  The other benefit of a big aperture is it’s very small depth-of-field when wide open.  This gives you those nice out-of-focus backgrounds, helping your subject really stand out.  To get a better sense of this, This Week In Photography has an excellent video which gives a visual presentation of how changing your aperture affects your photos.   Other notable features include:

• AF-S Silent Wave Motor enables autofocus for Nikon D40, D40x, and D60 dSLR Dads.
• Rounded 9-blade aperture diaphragm should help out-of-focus elements blur more natural and not seem blotchy.
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) enhances light transmission efficiency and offers superior color consistency and reduced flare. Nikon’s value alternative to ED glass in a standard lens.
• Full-frame design will work with FX and DX formats.
• Minimum focus distance of 1.5 feet.
• At 2.9 by 2.1 inches (Diameter x Length) and 9 ounces, it’s a bit bigger than the 50mm f/1.4D AF Nikkor Lens. However, it is much more compact and lighter than Sigma’s own 50mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens.

With an estimated selling price of $440 it is more expensive than the 50mm f/1.4D, but lower than Sigma’s excellent 50mm F1.4 EX DC HSM Lens. But then again, the Sigma and f/1.4D are available now, whereas Nikon’s 50mm f/1.4G doesn’t ship until this December.

(more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. Their final introduction is the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED, PC (Perspective Control) lens.This lens employs a tilt/shift mechanism that allows you to manipulate image perspective,distortion, and focus in camera. This lens is perfect for the Landscape and Architecture dSLR Dad.

PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED Major Features

• Wide shifting and tilting range (shift: ±11.5 mm; tilt: ±8.5°)
• ±90° lens revolving capability for versatile tilt/shift effects
• Maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7 (at 0.21 m/0.7 ft.)
• Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for superior sharpness and color correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration
• Three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens aberration
• Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections, effectively reducing ghosting and flare
• High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating delivers superior color reproduction while substantially reducing ghosting and flare
• Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements
• Lens aperture can be preset by using aperture ring and aperture stop-down button
• With the Nikon D3 and D300, auto aperture control with electromagnetic diaphragm is possible

(more…)

Popularity: 18% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. The second is their new AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR lens. This is a great focal length for any dSLR Dad. Of particular note is the 16mm wide angle, which makes for a very nice 24mm full frame equivalent. The inclusion of Vibration Reduction II image stabilization claims a 4 stop benefit in slower shutter speeds. The rounded 7-blade aperture should also help to blur out-of-focus background elements. All-in-all, this looks like a very solid offering from Nikon.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Major Features (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

Nikon has unveiled a few new lenses for PMA 2008. The first is their new 60mm AF-S Micro(Macro or close-up for all of you non-Nikon dSLR Dads) lens. This is an interesting market reponse to Canon’s excellent EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM dSLR-only Lens, since it can be used on both full frame and APS-C sized dSLR cameras.

The following is an unedited press release: (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

This is for all of you wide angle dSLR Dads. Photozone has just reviewed Nikon’s brand new full frame, 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens (available at Amazon, and B&H Photo). And it seems like Photozone (which is a great site by the way) liked it:

The Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED N is a phenomenal lens. It is the sharpest ultra-wide angle lens tested to date. The resolution figures are simply stunning and unprecedented (more…)

Popularity: 29% [?]

Tags: 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S, AF-S lens, full frame, lens test, nikkor, Nikkor lens, nikon, Nikon lens, review, SLR lens, super wide angle, wide angle