Nikon PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5D ED

The 24 mm tilt/shift lens from Nikon

11.5mm of shift and 8.5 degrees of tilt

 

 

 

 

 

Assorted information and links about the new Nikon 24mm T/S lens, or in Nikon terminology a 'perspective control' lens...

 

 

Picture above shows lens at full tilt of 8.5 degrees (move mouse over image)

There is also an example of what effect this has on an image at the bottom of the page and links to our articles.

Other T/S info on this site

Focusing with tilted lenses - an iterative approach
Canon 24mm TS-E - all about tilt and shift lenses
Canon 90mm TS-E
Modifying your T/S lens
Big tilts and shifts - how to make a view camera adapter for a DSLR.

In Feb 2008 I was at the Focus show in Birmingham and had a chance to have a quick play with the 24mm on a D3.

No images taken with it I'm afraid, but it felt much like using my TS-E 24mm on my 1Ds.

A good solidly built lens with smooth movements.

We've been promised one to have a look at by Nikon for some time, and if it actually turns up, we'll have a lot more info ;-) The article about the Canon version of the lens is perfectly applicable to the Nikon one too.

Here's a couple of slightly distorted views taken on the Nikon stand (I had my 14mm lens on the 1Ds3 ;-)

Nikon UK PR (Nikon US info below)

RRP: £1099.99/ €1642.00
Sales start date: March 2008

Nikon UK is pleased to announce the introduction of the high-performance PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED, PC (Perspective Control) lens. This new lens is equipped with a tilt / shift mechanism that gives photographers the flexibility to manipulate image perspective, distortion and focus.

The lens employs a special mount that enables up to ±11.5 mm shift and ±8.5° tilt for perspective control. Shift and tilt can be adjusted via convenient side-mounted controls while referring to the scales provided with gradations at 1mm or 1° intervals. The lens optics can be rotated up to 90° left or right for perspective control adjustment, and click-stops are provided every 30°.

The lens aperture can be preset by using the aperture ring and aperture stop-down button. It remains stopped down until the button is pressed again, for easy depth-of-field confirmation. Auto aperture control is also available for SLR models compatible with electromagnetic diaphragm (D3 and D300).

In addition to perspective control photographic applications such as shooting architecture and interiors, this lens can also be used for any subject that would require a 24mm wide-angle lens. With a closest focusing distance of only 0.21 m/0.7 ft. and a maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7, it’s also an excellent choice for close-up photography.

To ensure superior picture quality, the lens incorporates a host of state-of-the-art optical features and technologies. Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat dramatically reduces ghosting and flare that can be caused by internal reflections. Three ED glass elements minimize chromatic aberration for higher-resolution, higher-contrast images. Three a-spherical lenses effectively correct spherical aberration and coma. And a rounded nine-blade diaphragm opening gives out-of-focus elements a more natural appearance. All of which adds up to exceptional optical performance even at the maximum tilt and/or shift settings.

As both a special-purpose lens and high-performance wide-angle lens, the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens represents a significant addition to the field-proven NIKKOR lens lineup, providing professional and serious amateur photographers with innovative, effective solutions to photographic challenges.

Nikon UK is also pleased to share important news about two more lenses to expand and strengthen our PC NIKKOR lens lineup. The new PC-E NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D ED will be exhibited at the PMA 2008 International Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas, USA from January 31 to February 2, 2008.

Notes:
The Nikon D3 can be used without any limitation. With other cameras, there are limitations in tilt/shift operation. The Nikon F90X series, F90 series, F70, F60D, F55, F50D, F-401 series, F-801 series, F-601, F-601M, F3AF, F-501, PRONEA S or MF cameras cannot be used.
Specifications, design, standard accessories, and release schedule may differ by country or area.

PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED Major Features

Wide shifting and tilting range (shift: ±11.5 mm; tilt: ±8.5°)
±90° lens revolving capability for versatile tilt/shift effects
Maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7 (at 0.21 m/0.7 ft.)
Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for superior sharpness and colour correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration
Three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens aberration
Nano Crystal Coat virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections, effectively reducing ghosting and flare
High-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating delivers superior colour reproduction while substantially reducing ghosting and flare
Rounded 9-blade diaphragm for more natural appearance of out-of-focus image elements
Lens aperture can be preset by using aperture ring and aperture stop-down button
With the Nikon D3 and D300, auto aperture control with electromagnetic diaphragm is possible

Full Specs

Focal length	24mm
Aperture	f/3.5 - 32
Lens construction	13 elements in 10 groups (with three ED glass elements, three aspherical lenses, one with Nano Crystal Coat)
Picture angle	84°, Maximum 101° when fully shifted
Closest focus distance	0.21 m / 0.7 ft
Maximim reproduction ratio	1:2.7
Aperture blades	9 (rounded)
Filter attachment size	77 mm
Focusing	Manual focus
Dimensions	Approx. 82.5 x 108 mm / 3.2 x 4.3 in.
Weight	Approx 730 g / 25.7 oz
Supplied accessories	Bayonet Hood HB-41, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-1120
Selling price	£1099.99/ €1642.00

Nikon USA PR

NIKON’S NEW WIDE-ANGLE PC-E NIKKOR 24MM F/3.5D ED LENS ALLOWS PHOTOGRAPHERS TO CONTROL PERSPECTIVE

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Jan. 28, 2008) – Nikon, Inc., today introduced the new PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens, the latest in a series of lenses that are equipped with a tilt/shift mechanism that enables photographers the flexibility to effectively manipulate perspective, distortion and focus. Whether photographing architecture, landscapes, interiors or panoramas, this Perspective Control (PC) lens easily corrects linear distortion and aberration to deliver images that more accurately reproduce the view as the human eye sees it.

“Nikon optical engineers successfully overcame a number of design challenges while developing a new 24mm Perspective Control wide-angle lens that delivers in a variety of applications and fulfills the needs of photographers whose work demands the type of image control that only a lens of this design can provide" said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, Inc. “This lens represents a significant addition to the field-proven NIKKOR lens lineup and allows photographers to create images that would, in many instances, not be possible otherwise. Additionally, many photographers will appreciate the ability to more effectively correct images while shooting, significantly reducing the time required to correct images afterwards with image editing software.”

Typically, tilting the axis of a camera can result in a misrepresentation of perspective. A Perspective Control lens’ ability to fine-tune perspective and focus elements virtually eliminates these issues, an essential function for architectural and interior photographers.

The same features that make this lens excellent for architectural photography also provide nature and landscape photographers with an essential means to better control perspective, allowing them to capture nature's beauty more accurately and naturally. Additionally, the 24mm PC lens enables professional product photographers to sight just the right shooting angles on reflective objects without capturing their own reflection in the process.

A special tilt/shift mechanism gives users up to +/- 11.5 mm shift and +/- 8.5-degree tilt for perspective control. When shooting with a conventional lens, some objects, such as tall trees and buildings, can be challenging to photograph due to rectilinear distortion and converging lines that warp perspective. The 24mm Perspective Control lens corrects this issue with convenient side-mounted controls at 1mm / 1-degree intervals that will adjust the focal plane with shift and tilt adjustments. The lens optics can also be rotated up to 90 degrees right or left for perspective control adjustment, while a click-stop is provided every 30 degrees. Importantly, photographers can see the effect of every adjustment accurately through their Nikon SLR viewfinder.

In addition to providing linear perspective correction, the new 24mm PC lens has unique characteristics that make it well suited for a variety of tasks and offers a wide angle-of-view combined with dramatic depth-of-field control potential, perfect for capturing stunning landscapes. To further control the image, users can quickly adjust aperture with a stop-down button, or with the aperture ring. These same characteristics also make the 24mm PC lens a great choice for close-up macro work, with a minimum focusing distance of 0.7 feet and the ability to fine tune focus with perspective control.

The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens continues NIKKOR’s legacy of high-quality optics and durable design. It features the new “E” designation, which denotes an electromagnetic diaphragm that automatically controls aperture with the latest Nikon D-SLR cameras. Three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements provide superior sharpness and colour correction by effectively minimizing chromatic aberration, while three aspherical lens elements minimize various types of lens aberration. In addition to the Nikon Super Integrated coating that delivers superior colour reproduction, Nikon’s exclusive Nano Crystal Coat helps to virtually eliminate any remaining instances of ghosting and flare.

The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is the first in a new series of PC lenses being designed to meet the needs of photo professionals and enthusiasts. Two more PC lenses are currently in development and are scheduled to become available through Nikon authorized dealers during the summer of 2008.

The NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED lens is scheduled to become available through Nikon authorized dealers in the U.S. in spring 2008 for an estimated selling price of $1929.* For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

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A example of tilt (six degrees) - move your mouse over the image to see

Notice how the shelf support is sharper in the non tilted version - this is because tilt does not give you any more depth of field, it just tilts the plane of focus.

Look at various parts of the image and you can see the steeply tilted plane of focus.

This is from Keith's article on Tilt/shift lenses

You can search all the hundreds of articles on the site for more information

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