Pixiq

Nikon has sprung another surprise lens announcement today, with the AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G. Essentially, the new lens is a DX version of the AF-S Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G. Here is the full Nikon UK press release: 

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G - Curious by Nature

 London, UK, 12^th July 2011: Nikon today announces a new 40mm DX-format macro lens for close-up photography. Designed to capture fine details, it boasts a 1:1 reproduction ratio for superb, life-like images. A fantastic way to shoot features that can’t be seen with the naked eye, this lens will more than satisfy enthusiasts keen to explore the power of close-up images.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe commented: “This specialised macro lens lets you capture intricate details that are impossible to capture with a regular kit lens. It’s an affordable way to discover the world of macro photography and is even versatile enough not to limit photographers to that particular subject.”

A closer look: The latest addition to Nikon’s growing line-up of Micro NIKKOR lenses, this 40mm DX-format lens offers a picture angle equivalent to 60mm on FX-format D-SLRs. Focusing as close as 0.163 m (from focal plain) and boasting a 1:1 reproduction ratio, it offers true macro performance for close-up photography.  With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, subjects can be singled out against a pleasantly blurred background and sharper handheld shots are possible in low-light.

Quietly does it: Be it a detailed shot of an insect or the stamen of a flower, shooting a great close-up depends on precision. Compact, easy-to-handle and equipped with Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for incredibly accurate, super-quiet autofocus, this lens lets you shoot without disturbing your subject. Smooth focusing is further enhanced with the M/A focus mode that lets you override the autofocus so you can manually tune the focus just the way you want, without the need to physically switch between auto and manual focus.

Big small world: Capable of delivering images where even subtle features are faithfully reproduced, this lens captures hidden worlds of pattern, texture and details brilliantly. Enthusiasts can capture superb macro photos and it’s perfectly suited to portraits and general shots too.

Measuring approx. 68.5 (D) x 64.5 (L) mm and weighing approx. 235 g, this lens features a metal mount with rubber sealing and is supplied with a lens hood HB-61 and soft lens case CL-0915.

RRP: £249.99 / €290

 Sales Start Date: 25^th August 2011

ENDS

Comment: The AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 40mm f/2.8G represents another unexpected lens from Nikon that adds extra scope to their DX lens line up but you have to ask the question – why this lens and why now?

The “Curious by Nature” title to the Nikon UK press release is very apt, because of all the lenses that the Nikon DX format D-SLR camera range requires, another dedicated Micro-Nikkor must be fairly low down on the list of priorities for most photographers, especially a lens that will have such limited application due to it extremely short working distance (the distance from the front of the lens to the plane of focus), a specification that is notable by its absence from the official press release. By my calculation, at its minimum focus distance, this lens will provide approximately 50 mm / 2 inches of free working space from its front filter ring to the subject, making it only really suitable for photographing flat art work, or document copying. Using this lens for photographing many live subjects, as suggested in the official press release, will just be an exercise in futility, as they simply will not tolerate the proximity of the camera and be long gone before you can get the camera close enough to achieve a meaningful magnification. Even with an inanimate subject the very short working distance will impose restrictions on positioning light modifiers, such as a reflector, or an additional light source such as flash. Plus, the relatively wide angle of view of the lens will make it more difficult to simplify backgrounds, even when shooting at large aperture settings, compared with the longer AF-S DX Micro Nikkor 85mm f/3.5G.

If Nikon wants us to take its DX format seriously it is high time the DX user had the choice of more mainstream optics, such as some some fast, prime wide-angle lenses (10mm 12mm and 16mm), a couple of fast (f/2.8) VR enabled zoom lenses covering a focal length range from 16mm to 140mm, an ultra fast ‘standard’ lens (35mm) and a short (16 mm) lens with tilt/shift movements, rather than a niche product, such as the Micro DX 40mm f/2.8.

© Simon Stafford