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Although SLR-like cameras and compatible lenses have been getting a lot of attention over the last few years, camera makers haven’t forgotten about SLRs or the accessories for them. In fact, today Nikon announced two new SLR accessories: a zoom lens with a relatively long zoom range and a very small, portable, and inexpensive Speedlight flash (SB-300, $150). The lens, the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, is compatible with DX-format (or non-full-frame) Nikon SLRs and will cost about $600.
For more on lenses, visit our buying guide and Ratings for SLR and interchangeable lenses.
There are several intriguing things about this new 18-140mm lens:
- Although this new lens doesn’t have any new technology in it, it is packed with technology. For example, it includes vibration reduction (VR), or image stabilization technology, which helps you to shoot blur-free shots in low light. The lens also includes a Silent Wave Motor, designed to allows the lens to focus quickly, accurately and, as the name implies, very quietly. Noiseless operation can be crucial when shooting wildlife and other types of photos.
- Although the lens provides you with a relatively long 7.8x optical zoom, it weighs just a little more than 17 ounces. In fact, it’s a bit lighter than many Nikon zooms in its class.
- The new lens has a lens mount made of metal, which means it shouldn’t wear out or break as easily as those with a plastic mount (generally found on kit lenses).
We’ll be studying all of those factors and more once we get this lens into our labs, where we’ll be checking whether the lens minimizes distortion, lens flare, and vignetting. We’ll also check how easy the lens is to use.
—Terry Sullivan
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