NIKON ANNOUNCES AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED LENS, FEATURING NEWLY DEVELOPED 'SUPER-ED' GLASS

 

 

NIKON ANNOUNCES AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED LENS, FEATURING

NEWLY DEVELOPED 'SUPER-ED' GLASS

 

New Telephoto Lens Combines Fast f/2.0 Performance with the

Precision of Super ED Glass and Innovative Vibration Reduction (VR)

 

MELVILLE, NY, MAY 28, 2004 - Nikon, (www.nikonusa.com

<http://www.nikonusa.com>), the world leader in photography, today

announced the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED lens, developed for

use with both Nikon digital and film SLR cameras.

An important addition to the acclaimed range of Nikkor ED lenses,

the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED is crafted from Super ED glass -

a significant new material that is more resilient than typical

fluorite lenses and offers class-above optical qualities with

exceptional consistency even at large apertures. With an ideal

combination of Vibration Reduction (VR) technology and fast f/2.0

aperture, the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED is designed to offer

photographers razor sharp

images in the most demanding situations.

�The AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED has a myriad of applications

for all kinds of photographers. Many will find uses for its

expressive quality of emphasizing subjects in portraits by rendering

background elements completely out of focus, while others will use

it for its large aperture, superb clarity and immense potential with

VR technology for shooting in low light conditions or from moving

platforms,�

said Jerry Grossman, vice president for marketing, Nikon

Inc. �Undoubtedly, this new lens lives up to Nikon's heritage as one

of the finest optical manufacturing companies in the world,� he

added.

Super-ED Glass for Superb Clarity

Nikon's Super ED glass elements excel at correcting chromatic

aberration and eliminating secondary spectrum to produce outstanding

image resolution and clarity.

While the optical properties of this new glass closely resemble

those of fluorite, Super ED glass is more resilient to rapid

temperature changes (thermal shock) and not as susceptible to

cracking as the crystal structure of fluorite. Super ED glass also

boasts a higher refractive index than fluorite, making it highly

capable of correcting aberrations other than chromatic aberration.

It also demonstrates less change in optical characteristics than

fluorite when exposed to severe temperature variance, ensuring

consistent performance even under extremely harsh shooting

conditions. Additionally, the unique composition of Super ED glass

ensures consistency in optical properties and performance, enabling

applications in a variety of

lenses including those with very large apertures.

Intelligent Design

The AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED lens incorporates clever new

features that are placed within comfortable reach of photographers'

natural grip, helping them keep their eye on the subject. A switch

located on the bottom of the lens gives swift access to the AF-L

(Autofocus-Lock) function, which allows a desired focus position to

be easily preset. The same switch can also be used to access the AF-

ON function enabling photographers to achieve more subjective focus

with fine manual manipulation. The switch can also activate the lens

to revert back to the preset focus position whenever desired.

Vibration Reduction Technology

With a maximum aperture of f/2, the AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED

is a very fast lens that when combined with the advantages of VR

technology, offers photographers remarkable shooting capabilities

that may not have been previously possible.

Nikon's advanced VR technology eliminates image blur caused by

camera shake, particularly when shooting in low-light conditions,

allowing photographers to use shutter speeds up to three stops

slower than they would ordinarily use to get sharp, well exposed

images. VR performance is further augmented in the AF-S VR Nikkor

200mm f/2G IF-ED by a VR selection switch that enables photographers

to choose between two different VR modes to best suit the subject at

hand - Normal mode is ideal for most common shooting conditions,

panning, and use in combination with a tripod. Active mode, as its

name suggests, is better suited to conditions involving more

movement, such as shooting from a moving vehicle or platform.

Seamless Compatibility with Teleconverters, Including new TC-17E II

The AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED is compatible with all Nikon

teleconverters, including the newly announced AF-S Teleconverter TC-

17E II - the first teleconverter to offer 1.7x performance in a

compact, lightweight package. Similar in design to the existing TC-

14E II and TC-20E II teleconverters, the TC-17E II can be used

exclusively with AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses, and completes Nikon's

lineup of 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2.0x compact teleconverters. The use of

such teleconverters is an ideal way to extend a lens' focal length,

and adding versatility without the expense and weight of additional

lenses.

The AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED will be available at Nikon

authorized dealers

starting Fall of 2004.

About Nikon

 

Nikon...If the picture matters, the camera matters�. Nikon Inc. is

the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging

technology and is recognized worldwide for setting new standards in

product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and

professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the

Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film

and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System

Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras;

Nikon Coolpix� compact digital cameras; Coolscan� digital film

scanners; Nikonos� underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports

and recreational optics. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative�, the

company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced

photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations,

educational programs, events and workshops. For more information,

dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com

<http://www.nikonusa.com/>, which links all levels of photographers

to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing

communities.

# # #

 

<a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5&productNr=AFSVR200">Nikon USA product page</a>

<p>LOL - Canon discontinues the "world's fastest 200mm SLR lens" (the 200/1.8L USM) and Nikon jumps in to take over that title.</p>

 

<p>All joking aside, looks like it will be a fabulous lens. Wonder how many they'll sell? Rumour has it that while the Canon 200/1.8 was a superb lens, it didn't sell very well.</p>

I was almost about to jump on 200/1.8, but it was discontinued sooner. Pitty.. Best glass for theater and indoor sports one can imagine.. Not that 70-200/2.8 is bad, but the one and half f-stop action stopping power is nice to have as I see shooting with 85/1.8 :(