New Nikkors?

[JoePhoto]

Two rumored lenses are expected to be announced tomorrow with the D80... I can't wait to see!

AF-S DX 18-135
(I'm not sure why this lens needs to be released with the AF-S VR 24-120, AF-S VR DX 18-200, & AF-S DX 18-70 are already available.)

AF-S VR 70-300
(we've already seen pictures of this guy, lets hope this long overdue design is finally released.)

[JoePhoto]

The AF-S VR 70-300 is official
http://www.nikon.com.my/pagearticle.php?pageid=92

It gets VRII and AF-S as well as at least one ED glass element. Available October 2006. Price ?

[marokero]

I saw the 70-300 lens and now it's gone... should've copied the image sooner. Can't find any further info from other sources. I guess we'll all have to wait 'till tomorrow.

[JB]

It's not official until it's posted in Japan, UK, or US.

[JoePhoto]

It's official...

[JB]

The 70-300 is a 4.5-5.6? Hmmmm.

[JoePhoto]

70-300mm lenses from any company (Canon, Nikon, Contax, Tamron, Sigma, Minol... er...Sony, Pentax, etc.) are f/4-5.6 or f/4.5-5.6 This isn't new meign.

[JB]

Yeah, but I was HOPING for maybe a 3.5-4.5. Like I was discussing with John today, the number of elements are a good thing so I might be more pessimistic than most.

[Talvan]

MTFs are on Nikon Japan.

[JoePhoto]

The 70-300 VR's focal length and 62mm diameter (the design size) restricts the f-stop. (For example, Sigma's 100-300 f/2.8 is a monster lens because it's a constant 2.8.) With added size not only comes added f-stoppage, but added price. This is already a $700 lens. You get the price any higher and it needs to be substantially better built and be classified as a pro lens. I wouldn't mind seeing a revamp of their 80-400 VR lens with AF-S and a more useable f-stop.

On that note - I would like to have seen a slightly lesser built 70-200 VR at a constant f/4 as well (a-la Canon). That would be useful for portraits & outdoor sports action... not that I need one, but it would be less expensive than the 2.8 version for people who want that focal length.