Smart_Photography_-_December_2015_

Mahesh Reddy

ring rotates less than 180 degrees. The
switches are very responsive.

Performance
The Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR
lens performed very well in our tests.
We tested the lens on a Nikon D750
body. Autofocus was fast and precise,
and the system did not have any
problem locking on to the subject even
under reasonably-low light. Vibration
Reduction proved excellent, though
we do not have a precise scienti�ic
mechanism to gauge the ef�iciency of
the system. At 80mm, I could shoot
reasonably sharp images even at 1/2
sec shutter speed, which, I believe, is
incredible.

Out-of-the-box JPEG images appeared
sharp, and the sweet spot shifted
progressively from f/4 to f/8 going
from the wide-angle to the telephoto
end. We observed prominent
darkening of corners at f/2.8 at the
wide-angle end, which progressively
decreased and �inally vanished at f/8.
The lens controlled �lare very well,
though slight �lare was observed. We
did not �ind any trace of Chromatic
Aberration in strong against-the-light
shots at the wide-angle end with the
lens wide open.

The lens produced extreme barrel
distortion at 16mm. Pincushion

distortion started from 24mm, and at

80mm, it was most evident.

Value for Money

The AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-

4E ED VR lens retails at Rs.74,950.

This is good value for money for this

lens. |SP

Aperture: f/4

Shutter Speed: 1/60sec

ISO: 800;

FINAL SCORE

Design and Build Quality 17/20

Key Features 17/20

Ergonomics 18/20

Performance

Autofocus 4.5/5

Sharpness 4/5

Distortion control 2.5/5

Aberrations 4/5

Darkening

of corners 3/5

Extra features 4.5/5

Sub-Total 22.5/30

Value for Money 8/10

VERDICT

The AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E

ED VR lens can be considered a budget

alternative to a fast standard zoom lens,

that is faster than f/4, which, by now,

has become synonymous to the ‘second

line’ of premium lenses. At this price

point, the lens is an excellent buy if you

are looking for a good quality wide-

angle to telephoto lens, but are not

satis�ied with a �ixed f/4 lens. We wish

it had better distortion control though.

PLUS

• Excellent value for
  money


• Fast and effortless AF


• Good �lare control


• No Chromatic
  Aberration


• Superior VR

MINUS

• Too much
  distortion

82.5%

Type: Fmount, Type E AF-S DX lens with

built-in CPU

Format: DX

Focal length: 16–, 80mm

Maximum aperture: f/2.8, –4.0

Minimum aperture: f/22, –32

Lens construction: 17elements in,

13groups, including 4 ED elements, 3

aspherical elements, and elements with

Nano-Crystal or �luorine coatings

Angle of view: 83° to 20°

Minimum focus distance: 0.35m (1.15ft)

Image stabilization: VR (Vibration Reduc-

tion)

No. of diaphragm blades: 7 (rounded

diaphragm opening)

Diaphragm: Automatic electronic aperture

control

Metering: Full aperture

Filter-attachment size: 72mm, (P = 0.75 mm)

Dimensions: Approx. 80 mm maximum

diameter x 85.5 mm (distance from camera

lens mount �lange)

Weight: Approx.480g

Autofocus: Ye s

AF-S (Silent Wave Motor): Ye s

Internal focusing: Ye s

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

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Smart PhotographyDecember 2015