Smart_Photography_-_December_2015_

M

ost DX format cameras come

with their standard kit lenses,

which are usually in the range

of 18-55mm. Though this is suf�icient

for budget-conscious amateurs,

advanced photographers who have a

little more disposable income might

�ind the slow aperture and the short

zoom range a limitation that is beyond

compromise. For them, Nikon has

brought out the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-

80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, which has a

more useful zoom range and a faster

aperture range than a standard kit

lens.

Design and Build Quality

The Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

lens is a consumer lens constructed

predominantly of carbon composites.

The lens has internal focussing, which

prevents it from protruding and the

front element from rotating during

focussing. However, zooming from

the wide-angle to the telephoto end

makes the lens protrude by about

4.1cm. The barrel has markings for the

common popular zoom positions—16,

24, 35, 50, and 80mm. There is a focus

distance window, legibly marked

in metres and feet. The lens has a

three-barrel construction. It has three

switches—AF selector (M/A, M), VR

On/Off, and VR Mode (Normal, Active).

The zoom ring has a textured rubber

�inish, while the focus ring is plastic

with serrations.

This lens is not of the professional

grade, yet feels sturdy. It has a metal

mount and comes with a lens hood,

probably optimised for videos.

The lens accepts �ilters of 72mm size.

The Nikkor 16-80mm has dimensions

of approximately 80 mm dia. x 85.5

mm (distance from camera lens mount

�lange) and weighs 480g.

Key Features

The Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

lens (24-120mm equivalent) is a DX

model, which means it is primarily

designed for D-SLRs with APS-C type

sensors. If you use it with old FX (Full

Frame) bodies, it will cause vignetting.

However, the latest FX format bodies

offer automatic switching to DX crop

mode, which will prevent vignetting.

The lens has built-in CPU and a Silent

Wave focus Motor (SWM) so that it

can focus even with bodies that do

not have focussing motors, such as

D3300 and D5500. The E-designation

means that it uses an electromagnetic

diaphragm mechanism.

The lens is constructed with 17

elements in 13 groups including

4 Extra-low Dispersion (ED) and

3 aspherical elements, along with

Strategic Release

Nano-Crystal Coat (to reduce �lare

and ghosting) or �luorine (for better

water-repulsion). Aperture ranges

from f/2.8 to 22 at the wide-angle end

and f/4.0 to 32 at the telephoto end.

It has a minimum focussing distance

of 35cm. The lens features optical

VR (Vibration Reduction) to keep

images steady even with shaky hands,

especially in low-light. The lens has

automatic electronic aperture control

with a 7-bladed diaphragm providing a

rounded aperture opening. It provides

TTL full aperture metering. The 16-

80mm features internal focussing and

provides Manual (M) and Manual/Auto

(M/A) modes for focussing.

Ergonomics

The Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

lens is light and comfortable to use.

We received a new piece, and the zoom

ring was a bit stiff. But it will loosen up

a bit with regular use, and we expect it

to provide optimal damping. The focus

AF-S DX Nikkor

16-80mm

f/2.8-4E ED VR^ `^ 74,950 Sujith Gopinath

✓ Lens

✓ 72 mm snap-on Front Lens

Cap LC-72

✓ Rear Lens Cap LF-4

✓ Bayonet Hood HB-7

Inside the BoxInside the Box

LENS

REVIEW

114

Smart PhotographyDecember 2015

http://www.smartphotography.in