Nikon's New AF-S DX 85mm f/3.5 Micron Nikkor Lens Enables Further Creativity With Sophisticated Technology And Design For Close-Up Photography

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Oct. 14, 2009) – Nikon Inc., today introduced the new medium telephoto AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR lens designed specifically for extreme close-up photography, yet perfectly suited for portrait, nature, and general imaging as well. Focusing as close as 0.9 ft., 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 subtlest of subject detail is reproduced faithfully. The new 85mm Micro NIKKOR lens, in conjunction with Nikon DX-format digital SLR cameras, renders a picture angle equivalent of approximately 127.5mm (in the 35mm or FX-format), providing a natural perspective along with a desirable and practical lens-to-subject working distance.

“Nikon is proud of its strong reputation for designing and producing some of the world's finest close-up lenses, delivering faithful and consistent color reproduction, stunning sharpness and beautifully balanced contrast,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR Systems Products at Nikon, Inc. “The introduction of the AF-S DX 85mm Micro lens further broadens the Micro NIKKOR family and answers a call from serious nature and portrait photographers, generalists and on-line auction specialists seeking superior close-up shooting performance, affordability and versatility."

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

This lens also incorporates the benefit of Vibration Reduction (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 lens-based VR also stabilizes the camera's viewfinder image, making composing and capturing images and movies less fatiguing.

Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) provides fast, quiet and accurate autofocus performance and Nikon’s Internal Focusing (IF) design further enhances AF performance, while also allowing photographers to manually focus quickly and smoothly. Additional benefits to Internal Focusing 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 makes the use of front-mounted accessories such as polarizers 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 (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element minimizes chromatic aberration, enhancing the lens’ ability to deliver stunning, high-contrast images with accurate and well saturated colors. A rounded nine-blade diaphragm opening allows out-of-focus background or foreground scene information to appear more naturally blurred.

Price and Availability
The AF-S Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR II lens is scheduled to become available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning early December 2009 at an estimated selling price of $529.95.** For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com. This new lens, along with Nikon’s entire line of photographic, optical and digital imaging solutions, including the recently announced D3S, will be on display at the Nikon booth (#501) at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York, from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2009.

About the NIKKOR brand
Featuring 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 Image™. Nikon Inc. 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 Inc. 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. For the second consecutive year, Nikon D Series digital SLR cameras are recognized as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with digital SLR cameras, Two Years in a Row, Tied in 2008.” according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 and 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction StudiesSM. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its legendary F-mount lens-mounting system. Only Nikon has sustained an original lens mount for such an extraordinary period, ensuring that photographers can continue to leverage their previous investments while still taking advantage of new innovations. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-UX or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

*As determined in Nikon performance tests
** Estimated selling price listed is only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.