The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR lens leaked on Nikon Europe website today. This lens has been on my list of upcoming announcements for few months now. The related patent can be found here. I have no exact announcement date, but I believe it should be in the next few weeks. I also think that there will be a new DX body to go along with that lens.
Main features:
- DX format 16.7x zoom lens with versatile 18-300mm focal range (FX/35mm equivalent:27 to 450mm)
- Vibration Reduction II (VR II) stabilization system enables more flexible hand-held shooting and lets you use shutter speeds that are up to 4 stops slower.
- Maximum aperture of f/5.6 at the telephoto end of the range.
- Zoom-lock switch keeps the lens secure when not in use.
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm opening makes out-of-focus elements blend together smoothly.
- Three ED glass and three aspherical lens elements ensure high resolution and superior contrast.
- SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, whisper-quiet autofocus.
- Compact and lightweight design for a lens with this range.
Specifications:
- Focal length 18-300 mm
- Maximum aperture f/3.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture f/22-32
- Lens construction 19 elements in 14 groups (including 3 aspherical lens elements and 3 ED lens elements)
- Angle of view 76 °-5 °20 ‘
- Focusing Nikon Internal Focusing (IF) System with autofocus controlled by Silent Wave Motor and separate focus ring for manual focus
- Minimum focus distance 300 mm focal length: 0.45 m (1.48 ft) from focal plane
- Maximum reproduction ratio 1/3.2x
- No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded diaphragm opening)
- Filter-attachment size 77 mm (P=0.75 mm)
- Dimensions Approx. 83 mm diameter x 120 mm (distance from camera lens mount flange)
- Weight Approx. 830 g (29.3 oz)
MTF charts:
Lens design:
In 2012 Nikon is expected to announce also new 28mm f/1.8G FX and 16-85mm DX lenses.
