January 2008

Introduction   

The Nikon 16-85mm VR is an excellent all-purpose lens for every DX digital camera, like the D300, D60 and D40. It also works fine on the D3, since the D3 automatically switches to DX mode with this lens.

 

Specifications  

Name: Nikon calls this the AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR.

Focal Length: 16-85mm. Used on a DX camera it gives angles of view similar to what a 24 - 125mm lens would give on an FX or 35mm film camera. See also Crop Factor.

Optics: 17 elements in 11 groups. Two of these are of ED glass, and three of these are aspherical. Nikon's SIC super integrated multi coating.

Vibration Reduction? Yes, VR II, for which Nikon claims a four-stop potential improvement.

Diaphragm: 7 blades, rounded. Stops down to f/22-36.

Instant Manual Focus Override? YES, just turn the ring.

Close Focus: 1.3 feet (0.38m).

Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 1:4.6.

Distance Scale? YES.

Depth-of Field Scale? no.

Infra-Red Focus Index? no.

Filter Thread: 67mm.

Size: 3.35" long by 2.83" diameter (85 x 72mm).

Weight: 17.1 oz. (485 g).

Hood: HB-39 plastic bayonet.

Nikon Product Number: 2178, in catalog as of spring 2008.

Announced: 28 January 2008.

Available: Predicted for March 2008 in the USA.

Price: $690 (USA). The 18-200mm VR sells for the same price.

 

Performance    

Distortion

Distortion, at first try, seems much less than the 18-200mm VR. If you are troubled by the distortion of the 18-200mm, then this could be a good reason to get this 16-85mm instead.

Zooming

Zooming, on the prototype I used, is firm. There's no creep as some people see with their 18-200mm lenses.

Zooming is also wonderfully well spaced, making precise composition easy at every focal length range.

Sharpness

Nikon rates the sharpness (MTF) as good; about the same as the 18-200mm VR.

 

Recommendations

The price is the same as the very similar 18-200mm VR. For most people, the 18-200mm is more flexible.

This 16-85mm appears to have much less distortion and less potential for zoom creep.

I love wides, so I use the dedicated 12-24mm DX for wide angles. 16mm vs 18mm isn't that big a deal, at least not compared to 12mm.

I'd get this lens if you want the slightly wider wide angle or less distortion, otherwise, I'd get the 18-200mm VR.

[Harusnya ini masuk di kolom REVIEW, tapi berhubung yg nge-review Oom Ken, dan saya hanya menyadurnya, jadi ya masuk blog aja deh wakakakaka....]

[maulidy]

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