Nikon Announces AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F/2.8-4E ED VR Lens

Nikon just announced the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, a versatile DX-format lens designed for advanced and enthusiast photographers. The Nikkor 16-80mm features a combination of Nikon lens technologies typically found on the company’s pro glass including Nano Crystal Coat, which is appearing for the first time on a Nikon DX-format lens.

The lens features a popular, wide 24-120mm (FX-format equivalent) focal range, which makes it designed for a variety of shooting disciplines include wide-angle landscapes, tight portraits or for those looking for an all-in-one tool for travel.

The large f/2.8 - f/4 aperture is designed to help with low light shooting while helping capture a shallow depth of field and blurred background (aka bokeh) for dramatic effect.

For macro photography, the lens has minimum focusing distance of 1.2 feet throughout the entire 5x zoom range.

Sample photo shot with new Nikkor 16-80mm lens courtesy of Nikon.

To further enhance its low-light capability, the new NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4 lens also features Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization technology, which is designed to provide up to four stops of image stabilization, helping to create sharp images while shooting handheld or in challenging light. For landscape and wildlife photographers, this lens features VR with automatic tripod detection, to counteract vibration when mounted on a tripod.

The new AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm F/2.8-4E ED VR is the first Nikon DX-format lens to wear the gold “N” emblem, to indicate the presence of Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat. This advanced optical coating is designed to significantly reduce instances of ghosting and flare. The front and rear elements also integrate a fluorine coating to make it easier to remove dirt, moisture and smudges from the lens surface. This is also the first Nikon DX lens to feature an electromagnetic diaphragm, which electronically adjusts the aperture within the lens, resulting in consistent exposure during high speed shooting.

The lens features four Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) elements and three aspheric elements to further combat instances of ghost, flare and chromatic aberration. The lens is constructed of 17 elements in 13 groups, and features a seven-blade diaphragm to create a circular, natural bokeh for a pleasing out of focus area of the image. For fast, accurate and quiet AF performance, the 16-80mm also features Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology.

Price and Availability
The new Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR will go on sale this month for $1,069.95.

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