DIY Photography

Your one stop shop for everything photo-video

  • News
  • Inspiration
  • Reviews
  • Tutorials
  • DIY
  • Gear
Search

Submit A Story

Nikon launch ultrawide 19mm f/4E PC tilt-shift and new 70-200mm f/2.8E VR lenses

Oct 19, 2016 by John Aldred 2 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

new_nikon_lenses

When Nikon updated the 70-200mm f/2.8VR with the VRII in 2009, it was much celebrated. Finally the vignetting issues that had plagued the original for full frame/film users had been fixed. While the VRII was just as successful as its predecessor it was quite heavily slated for focus breathing issues at the long end. Now, that has been replaced with the new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR.

Nikon have also announced a new addition to their Perspective Control (PC) line of lenses. The ultrawide full frame Nikon PC-E Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED Tilt-Shift lens. Previously the widest lens in the PC Nikkor range was the 24mm f/3.5D, so this presents a pretty substantial increase in field of view.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

The newest update to Nikon’s f/2.8 telephoto zoom refreshes the lens to add electronic diaphragm. This puts it in line with Nikon’s other recent lenses, providing a more consistent exposure when continuously shooting. For timelapse shooters, this theoretically means little or no aperture flicker between shots.

nikon-70-200-1

One obvious visual difference is the swapping of the zoom and focus ring positions. Nikon say this is for more balanced handling, and I can see why. Reaching out to the end of a long lens while handholding to manually tweak the focus is a pain. Having to move your arm further away from your body to reach it also reduces stability. So this is a very welcome change. It should also make it easier to work with follow focus systems when using video rigs.

nikon_lenses_afs_nikkor_70_200mm_2-8e_fl_ed_01-original

A new magnesium alloy lens barrel along with HRI and fluorite elements mean that the lens is lighter than both of the previous generations, yet extremely durable.

nikon_lenses_afs_nikkor_70_200mm_2-8e_fl_ed_d5-original

The Vibration Reduction (VR) enables shooting at shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than you might otherwise be able to handhold. A Sport VR mode offers a more stable viewfinder when tracking very fast action.

  • Focal Length : 70-200mm
  • Aperture : f/2.8-f/22, automatic electro-magnetic aperture control
  • VR : 4.0 stops in normal mode.
  • VR modes : Off, Normal, Sport, and can be used with tripods.
  • Construction : 22 elements in 18 groups (6 ED, 1 fluorite and 1 HRI element, nano crystal and fluorine coating).
  • Angle of view : 34°20′ – 12°20′ (22°50′ – 8°00′ with a DX-format camera)
  • Minimum focus distance : 1.1 m / 3.6 ft. from focal plane. Focus limit switch available (5 m – ∞ or 1.1 m – ∞)
  • Aperture Blades : 9 (rounded diaphragm)
  • Filter size : 77mm
  • Dimensions : 85mm diameter, 202.5mm length.
  • Weight : Approx 1430g

Nikon PC-E Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED Tilt-Shift

This is a completely new lens, expanding Nikon’s range of perspective control tilt shift lenses. Previously, the widest lens in this range was the Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED. A much loved lens, but felt by many to be not quite wide enough. Nikon have now responded with the 19mm f/4E ED. This change in focal length expands the field of view from 84° to 97° (72° on DX bodies), which is a pretty dramatic difference.

nikkor-pc-19mm-001

Two aspherical lenses reduce coma and other types of aberration. Three extra-low-dispersion (ED) minimise chromatic aberration, and the Nano Crystal coating helps to eliminate ghosting and flare. Nikon claim this helps even with backlit situations, and while it may not eliminate it completely, it should definitely help. With a lens this wide, it’s often difficult not to get light sources in the shot and have at least some part of it backlit.

nikon_lenses_pc_nikkor_19mm_4e_ed_left_d810-original

Both the tilt and shift mechanisms can be engaged individually or in combination. Tilt can be rotated up to 90° in either direction, and the whole lens can also be rotated up to 90°.

nikon_lenses_pc_nikkor_19mm_4e_ed_left_tilt_d810-original

The shift mechanism offers a smooth operation, and it’s a pretty compact lens. Nikon’s fluorine coating actively repels water, dust and dirt without compromising image quality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEy-WTv2UJw

  • Focal length : 19mm
  • Aperture : f/4-f/32
  • Lens construction : 17 elements in 13 groups (3 ED, 2 aspherical, Nano Crystal & fluorine coating)
  • Angle of view 97° (73° on DX)
  • Minimum focus distance : 0.25m / 0.9ft from focal plane
  • Aperture Blades : 9 (rounded diaphragm)
  • Perspective Control : Horizontal and vertical tilt and shift. Shift of ±12 mm, tilt of ±7.5°
  • Rotation : 90° left and right with stops every 30°
  • Filter size : No filter attachment possible
  • Dimensions : 89mm diameterm 124mm length
  • Weight : Approx 885g

Both lenses are available for pre-order now. The PC-E Nikkor 19mm f/4E ED costs $3,396.95 and the AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED VR is priced at $2,796.95. Shipping begins during November.

Let’s just hope the new 70-200mm f/2.8E isn’t plagued by the focus breathing issues of its predecessor.

Will you be upgrading to the new 70-200? How about the 19mm tilt shift? Will it let you finally get the shots you’ve previously been unable to get? Tell us what you think in the comments.

FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Flipboard
  • WhatsApp

Related posts:

How to Convert Lenses to Tilt Shift Macro Lenses With 3D Printing Canon finally unleashes 85mm f/1.4L IS, EOS M100 mirrorless, and three new tilt-shift macro lenses The basics of tilt-shift lenses and how you can use them in your photography These lens adapters turn your vintage glass into tilt-shift lenses for modern mirrorless cameras

Filed Under: Gear Tagged With: 19mm, 70-200mm, nikkor, Nikon, Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8E, PC, tilt-shift

John Aldred: from diyphotography.net

About John Aldred

John Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

« Macphun is taking on Lightroom with Luminar – an new all-in-one photo editing solution
Here is how to get CaptureOne Pro for only €50! (but only if you shoot Sony) »

Submit A Story

Get our FREE Lighting Book

DIYP lighting book cover

* download requires newsletter signup

Recent Comments

Free Resources

Advanced lighting book

Learn photography

Recent Posts

  • Web Photoshop Launches with Adobe Firefly AI: No longer beta and no longer free
  • How I shot this maternity portrait on a huge 1m² large format camera
  • Photographer’s favourite ‘Robin Hood’ tree cut down overnight
  • Excire Foto 2024 uses AI to judge your photos
  • Ansel Adam’s house is for sale for just $5 million!

Udi Tirosh: from diyphotography.netUdi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.

Alex Baker: from diyphotography.netAlex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe

David Williams: from diyphotography.netDave Williams is an accomplished travel photographer, writer, and best-selling author from the UK. He is also a photography educator and published Aurora expert. Dave has traveled extensively in recent years, capturing stunning images from around the world in a modified van. His work has been featured in various publications and he has worked with notable brands such as Skoda, EE, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, BMW, Conde Nast, Electronic Arts, Discovery, BBC, The Guardian, ESPN, NBC, and many others.

John Aldred: from diyphotography.netJohn Aldred is a photographer with over 20 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter - and occasional beta tester - of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.

Dunja Djudjic: from diyphotography.netDunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.

Copyright © DIYPhotography 2006 - 2023 | About | Contact | Advertise | Write for DIYP | Full Disclosure | Privacy Policy