Last night, Nikon announced a new member of the Nikkor family: the AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ED lens for full frame sensor (FX) and smaller sensor (DX) cameras SLRs. The lens provides a 5x zoom range with Nikon’s latest optics, 20 elements in 12 groups, including ED glass and Super-ED glass elements. The lens also sports Nikon’s most efficient image stabilization system (VR), which Nikon claims will provide the equivalent of 4 f-stops of extra stability. Nikon believes that their new optical formula provides a significant improvement in performance over their original model, making the new lens ideal for use with today’s high resolution sensors.
When used on a DX sensor camera like the Nikon D7100 or D5200, the lens becomes a 120-600mm zoom, making it excellent for sports or wildlife photography. The lens comes complete with a detachable tripod-mount foot and ballistic nylon lens bag.
We can expect the new AF-S 80-400mm VR ED lens to hit store shelves next month (April 2013) at a MSR price of $2699, according to the press release. However, Amazon lists the lens release data as March 19th. The lens is currently available for pre-order from the most popular online retailers:
