Nikon intros 18-55mm anti-shake DSLR lens
updated 08:25 am EST, Tue November 20, 2007
Nikon 18-55mm VR Lens
Nikon on Tuesday devoted attention to beginners graduating to digital SLRs with a new entry-level Nikkor lens. The AF-S DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens is specifically aimed at amateur photographers who need their first removable lens but also want a step up in image quality: though roughly equivalent to the 3X zoom factor of point-and-shoot cameras, the lens adds vibration reduction that steadies the image for minor shaking both in close-up shots as well as reasonably distant telephoto shots of landscapes and similar subjects. Photographers can drop their shutter speeds three stops lower to take photos in darker scenes without blurring, the camera maker says.
The lens fits to any DX-mount Nikon camera from the D40 up to the D300 and is designed to be both quiet while focusing and compensate for chromatic errors like color fringing. Nikon intends to release the lens in December for $199 but has not indicated whether the lens will be bundled with the D40 or similar cameras in the future.
