Press Releases

Nikon Canada Announces AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5 ED VR Lens for Extreme Close-up Photography

Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

Nikon AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

Nikon Canada Launches New AF-S DX Micro 85mm f/3.5 ED VR Lens

Medium telephoto lens designed for extreme close-up photography

Mississauga, ON, October 14, 2009 – Nikon Canada today introduced the new medium telephoto AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens. While the new lens is designed specifically for extreme close-up photography, it is also perfectly suited for portrait, nature and general imaging. Focusing as close as 27mm, this new 85mm Micro lens allows photographers to capture breathtaking close-up images with life-size reproduction ratios up to 1:1, helping to ensure that even the most subtle of subject detail is reproduced faithfully. The new 85mm Micro lens, in conjunction with Nikon DX format digital SLR camera, renders a picture angle equivalent of 127.5mm (in the 35mm or FX-format), providing a natural perspective along with a desirable and practical lens-to-subject working distance.

The NIKKOR Advantage
Specifically engineered for use with Nikon’s assortment of DX-format digital SLRs, the new 85mm Micro lens incorporates a variety of Nikon-exclusive features and technologies including Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology, Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass and an Internal Focusing (IF) design. While optimized for DX-format digital SLRs, this lens is also compatible with Nikon FX-format digital SLRs when used in their DX crop mode. In addition, dramatic close-up perspectives can be captured in beautiful HD video with digital SLR cameras such as the Nikon D5000, D90 and the new D300s.

This lens also incorporates the benefit of Vibration Reduction (VR II) Image Stabilization technology, which gives photographers the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops* slower than would otherwise be possible, while dramatically reducing the image blur caused by camera shake in handheld photography. Nikon VR image stabilization is specifically engineered for each lens into which it is incorporated, ensuring optimum image stabilization benefit. And, unlike camera body-based approaches to image stabilization, Nikon’s lens-based VR also stabilizes the camera’s viewfinder image, making composing and capturing images and movies easier.

Nikon’s SWM provides fast, quiet and accurate autofocus performance and Nikon’s IF design further enhances AF performance, while also allowing photographers to manually focus quickly and smoothly. Additional benefits to IF include the elimination of both front lens element rotation and changes in lens length during focusing. A constant lens length improves balance and overall handling, while doing away with front element rotation making the use of front-mounted accessories such as polarizer or the Nikon Wireless Close-up Speedlight System much more convenient.

Optical construction consists of 14 elements in 10 groups, while the addition of an ED glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, enhancing the lens’ ability to deliver stunning, high-contrast images with accurate and well-saturated colours. A rounded nine-blade diaphragm opening allows out-of-focus background or foreground scene information to appear more naturally blurred.
*As determined in Nikon performance tests

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR Feature Highlights

  • Medium-telephoto 85mm Micro lens (picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in FX/35mm format)
  • Closest focusing distance of 0.286 m/0.9 ft.
  • The optical system featuring an Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass element is optimized for DX-format digital SLRs
  • Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
  • Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast, quiet AF operation
  • Internal Focusing (IF) enables focusing without changing the length of lens barrel
  • The nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening gives out-of-focus elements a more natural appearance

Price and Availability
The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens will be available at Nikon Canada Authorized Dealers beginning in late November 2009. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Exclusive Canadian Warranty
Nikon Canada offers an exclusive five-year warranty for all NIKKOR lenses purchased from an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer. Consumer’s investment is protected by Nikon Canada’s warranties with in-Canada service.

About the NIKKOR brand
With a comprehensive assortment of FX and DX-format lenses and focal lengths, from the new ultra-wide 10-24mm to the super-telephoto 600mm VR, Nikon photographers have come to rely upon the NIKKOR core technologies that contribute to their optical superiority. NIKKOR is the brand name for Nikon’s photographic lenses, which was created by adding an “R” to “NIKKO”, an abbreviation of Nippon Kogaku K.K., the original company name of Nikon Corporation at the time of its founding. In 1933, Nikon marketed its first camera lens under the NIKKOR brand name, the “Aero-NIKKOR” for aerial photography applications. Since then, NIKKOR has been used as a brand name for Nikon’s lenses that symbolizes durability, high image quality and optical excellence.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the ImageTM, is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Canada distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive EXPEED™ advanced digital image processing system technologies. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Canada Inc., recently celebrated its 75th anniversary of NIKKOR optics and announced the production of over 50 million NIKKOR SLR interchangeable lenses. All Nikon Canada products are sold through a network of Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers. For more information on Nikon Canada and its products and services or to find an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer, visit www.nikon.ca.