Nikon Promises A Swag Of New Z-Mount Lens

Nikon is putting the pedal to the metal with its rollout of Z-mount lenses, with an updated roadmap revealing plans for a set of supertelephoto primes in the 400mm, 600mm and 800mm focal lengths, a 200-600mm supertele zoom, and a fast 85mm prime. The 400mm supertele is an f/2.8 speed S-series lens and will include an integrated 1.4x teleconverter to give a focal length of 560mm. This lens will have Nikon’s ‘VR’ optical image stabilisation.

Announced along with the Z 9 are two new Z-mount zooms and a new, more compact, F-to-Z mount adapter called the FTZ II. The new zooms are the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4.0 S and the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S. The F-mount 24-120mm zoom was a popular lens for Nikon’s full-frame DSLRs, and the Z-mount model is an allnew design that utilises some of the advantages of the mirrorless camera configuration (including a reduction in weight). The optical construction comprises 16 elements in 13 groups, and includes three made from ED (extra-low dispersion) glass and three aspherical types. Additionally, there’s a special element that has both aspherical and ED characteristics. Nikon’s ‘Nano Crystal Coat’ and ‘ARNEO Coat’ anti-reflection multi-coatings are employed to minimise ghosting and flare. Autofocusing is via a pair of stepping motors (STMs) for fast and quiet operation, and the minimum focusing distance is 35cm at 24mm. The external construction is weather-sealed and fluorine coating is applied to the outside of the front element to help repel moisture and grease while still allowing for easier cleaning.

The 100-400mm employs a new mechanism called “Inner Balance Technology” designed to minimise the weight shift when zooming (which is via a trombone action). Nikon says the optical design has minimal focus ‘breathing’, so the telezoom is well-suited to videography as well as shooting stills. The ‘VR’ optical image stabilisation gives up to 5.5 stops of correction for camera shake (which increases to six stops when it’s used on the Z 9 with ‘Synchro VR’). The optical construction comprises 25 elements in 20 groups that includes six made from ED glass and two aspherical types. Again, both Nikon’s ‘Nano Crystal Coat’ and ‘ARNEO Coat’ antireflection multi-coatings are employed to minimise ghosting and flare. Dual STM drives operate the autofocusing, and the minimum focusing distance is 75cm at 100mm and 98cm at 400mm, which gives a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.6 (or just under half life-size). The external construction is weather-sealed and the zoom is supplied with a detachable tripod mounting collar.

The Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is priced at $4,299 and the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4.0 S at $1,729. Both lenses will be available locally from December and are backed by a two-year warranty if purchased from an authorised Nikon reseller.

For more information visit www.nikon. com.au