New Nikon lenses: 24-120mm f/4G, 85mm f/1.4G, others
Nikon has announced three new FX (full frame) format lenses:
- Nikon 85mm f/1.4G, an update to the venerable 85mm f1.4D, and no doubt to be a mainstay of portrait photographers. Specifications look impressive, and if it’s as good as Nikon’s 24mm f/1.4G, it will be a kick-butter winner. View at B&H.
- Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR II with 2 ED elements and 3 aspherical elements, nano crystal coat, internal focus— all good!
Preorder at B&H. - Nikon AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5–5.6 ED VR II with 2 ED elements, 3 aspherical elements, internal focus, nano crystal coat, etc.
Preorder at B&H.
I’ll be reviewing the new 85mm f/1.4G and 24-120mm f/4G in DAP.
A heavier lens with more susceptibility to misalignment issues is at odds with the peak optical performance that I expect from the new 85/1.4G. Kudos to Nikon for omitting check-box features that simply are superfluous in an 85mm f/1.4.
Nikon appears well-positioned in terms of fast primes now. The 24mm f/1.4G is optically outstanding (see review in DAP). The new 85mm f/1.4G is likely to be outstanding as well (too bad it isn’t f/1.2 as with Canon). The 50mm f/1.4G is excellent, but not at the same level as the 24/1.4G. Can a 35mm f/1.4G and a 28mm f/1.4G be far behind?
Also announced is the DX-format 55-300mm f/4.5–5.6 ED VR II. Preorder the 55-300mm at B&H, which is also available with the new 14-megapixel Nikon D3100. I’ll be reviewing the D3100 briefly just to check out its 1080p video mode.
