http://nikonrumors.com/2010/02/08/af-s-nikkor-24mm-f1-4g-ed-af-s-nikkor-16-35mm-f4g-ed-vr-official.aspx
I use the term broadside as Nikon has launched a blow towards the biggest advantage Canon had left: ; Certain lenses.
Nikon reduces the prices of the old 28/1.4 AF-D (no on board lens motor) on the used market to no more than $2200 I presume, as the new 24/1.4G will be priced at that level. ; The 28mm hasn't been produced in years, and is highly sought after. ; This now becomes Nikon's widest fast lens (AF), as previously Nikon has not had a lens wider than 28mm faster than f/1.4. ; Canon has had a 24mm and 35mm 1.4 lens for some time; I'll bet that Nikon is also working on a 35/1.4 update of their manual focus lens, like the 50/1.2 AF-S in the works (rumored to be announced late this year or next).
The 16-35 f/4 VRII is the other kicker, as Canon has a line of f/4 L lenses. ; This is probably the replacement of the old 17-35 f/2.8 lens, as the flagship wide angle zoom is now the 14-24/2.8. ; So you gain 1mm from the old 17-35, lose one stop of speed and gain up to 4 stops of handholdability with the VRII. ; This lens, while not the incredible beast in the corners as it's cousin the 14-24, is still very sharp throughout at f/4 on the wide end but very sharp in the corners at 35mm. ; It has the ability to use filters (something you can't do with the 14-24). ;
I think in a small way, this is Nikon's message : we hear you, we're working on what you want. ; I do think they are working on a 35/1.4 as well as a direct competitor to the 24-105L that Canon has (perhaps the 24-120 turned into an f/4 lens with VRII). ; While a 70-200 f/4 lens probably won't happen (the non-VR 80-200/2.8D is still in production and is priced about the same as where an f/4 lens would be), I'm sure they'll fill that hole in their lineup shortly, probably at the same time the D700 replacement is announced.
I use the term broadside as Nikon has launched a blow towards the biggest advantage Canon had left: ; Certain lenses.
Nikon reduces the prices of the old 28/1.4 AF-D (no on board lens motor) on the used market to no more than $2200 I presume, as the new 24/1.4G will be priced at that level. ; The 28mm hasn't been produced in years, and is highly sought after. ; This now becomes Nikon's widest fast lens (AF), as previously Nikon has not had a lens wider than 28mm faster than f/1.4. ; Canon has had a 24mm and 35mm 1.4 lens for some time; I'll bet that Nikon is also working on a 35/1.4 update of their manual focus lens, like the 50/1.2 AF-S in the works (rumored to be announced late this year or next).
The 16-35 f/4 VRII is the other kicker, as Canon has a line of f/4 L lenses. ; This is probably the replacement of the old 17-35 f/2.8 lens, as the flagship wide angle zoom is now the 14-24/2.8. ; So you gain 1mm from the old 17-35, lose one stop of speed and gain up to 4 stops of handholdability with the VRII. ; This lens, while not the incredible beast in the corners as it's cousin the 14-24, is still very sharp throughout at f/4 on the wide end but very sharp in the corners at 35mm. ; It has the ability to use filters (something you can't do with the 14-24). ;
I think in a small way, this is Nikon's message : we hear you, we're working on what you want. ; I do think they are working on a 35/1.4 as well as a direct competitor to the 24-105L that Canon has (perhaps the 24-120 turned into an f/4 lens with VRII). ; While a 70-200 f/4 lens probably won't happen (the non-VR 80-200/2.8D is still in production and is priced about the same as where an f/4 lens would be), I'm sure they'll fill that hole in their lineup shortly, probably at the same time the D700 replacement is announced.
