Nikon D200 Brochure & Specs page 3

A history of exceptional performance —
NIKKOR lenses
N
ikon began producing lenses under the NIKKOR name in 1933, and since then more
than 40 million lenses have been sold worldwide. Throughout the years, our unwaver-
ing commitment to quality and innovation has yielded many breakthroughs in the photo-
graphic industry. For example, Nikon introduced the Nikkor Auto 24mm f/2.8 incorpo-
rating Nikon-pioneered Close-Range Correction (CRC) system in 1967, and started
production of aspherical lenses in 1968. In addition, Nikon developed ED (Extra-low
Dispersion) glass which made its first appearance in the 300mm f/2.8 ED Nikkor tele-
photo in 1972, and is now incorporated in many other NIKKOR lenses. And in 2003,
Nikon produced the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED, as the first lens
optimised for Nikon DX-format digital SLRs in the new DX NIKKOR series.
These are just a few of the many achievements in lens design that exemplify Nikon's posi-
tion as the world's preeminent manufacturer of professional photographic equipment. The
following offers in-depth technical information that will help you understand more fully that
NIKKOR lenses provide superior performance and are thus the best match for your Nikon SLR.
Where it all begins —
Nikon glassworks
To make the finest lens ele-
ments, you must begin with
the finest optical glass. To
ensure this, Nikon does what
few makers can — it manu-
factures the glass for nearly
all NIKKOR lenses in its own
glassworks. This means our
lens designers have over
200 types of glass to choose
from, giving them an excep-
tional variety from which to
select just the right optical
glass for their requirements.
Moreover, when these
requirements demand lens
properties not yet available,
the glass technicians work to
find a solution — which often
results in engineering new
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Optical design using computer
types of glass. This is pre- the NIKKOR lens. The lens
cisely how Nikon developed mount, too, features similar
Extra-low Dispersion (ED) materials.
Computers and lens design
glass in 1972 — to meet
design demands for super- Nikon designers employ the
telephoto NIKKOR lenses. latest computers and Nikon-
Lens construction
developed software to deter-
The peerless craftsmanship mine the optical design of
of NIKKOR lens elements each lens. Using this data
is matched by the structures together with their accumu-
that house them. Only lated experience, they create
the best materials are the finest SLR lenses avail-
used for the mechanical able.
construction of each lens. Computer-aided design
Fine metal alloys and simulation is also used to
polycarbonates make up ensure the utmost precision
the helicoids in some in the optical and mechanical
lenses. Inner and outer parts of each lens as well as
sleeves are tooled with the quality of the lens assem-
maximum precision, result- bly process. In this way, com-
ing in the smooth lens puters can identify problem-
movement that characterises atic areas thus leading to
improved overall lens design ensures that your Nikon
and ensuring the superior camera is compatible with
performance of the finished most NIKKOR lenses and
product. that your Nikon equipment
Electronics — microcomputer
can accommodate future
innovation for precise system advances.
performance
The recent advances in the achieves something no other
computer industry play an design can — it is compati-
integral role in the makeup ble with both types of lens
as well as design of NIKKOR drive systems — the conven-
lenses. For in addition to tional mechanical AF cou-
superior optics, each AF pling design for wideangle
NIKKOR features a built-in and standard zooms, and
microcomputer. This micro- Nikon's
computer works with the (Silent Wave Motor) system
Nikon AF camera computer featured
system to provide information advanced
that ensures fast autofocus, NIKKOR lenses. This is just
Optical glass
Matrix exposure metering, one example why the Nikon F
raw materials
Inspecting glass blocks Coating lenses
Balanced Fill-Flash, and other mount continues to be an
Nikon innovations in SLR per- integral part of Nikon camera
formance. equipment design.
Reliability — lenses made
Only NIKKOR lenses are
to withstand the toughest
designed for today's and
conditions
tomorrow's Nikon SLR cam-
eras, based on information Each NIKKOR lens is manu-
and insight available exclu- factured to meet the most
sively within Nikon — includ- stringent requirements in the
ing autofocusing parameters. industry. The optical glass is
No other lens maker can pro- scrutinised to assure it is free
vide this type of assurance. of imperfections, whereupon
The Nikon F lens mount —
it is then remelted, cast,
a tradition of continuity
ground, polished and hard-
and forward compatibility
coated to emerge as one of
The debut of the original the world's finest lens ele-
Nikon F also marked the ments. After being precisely
introduction of what is per- mounted in lens barrels, the
haps its most significant lens elements and their
technological innovation — assemblies undergo a bat-
the Nikon F lens mount. tery of tests and inspections,
This legendary design including vibration and tem-
perature-resistance analysis.
One of these tests concerns
the lens' Optical Transfer
Function (OTF), which evalu-
ates the resolving power and
contrast of the lens. To per-
Moreover, the F mount form this test, Nikon devel-
oped the exclusive Nikon
OTF Analyser (NOA).
In addition to these
uncompromising tests, Nikon
technicians further guarantee
the performance of the final
product by going over every
exclusive SWM detail of every finished lens.
They check and assure the
in the most mechanical construction,
supertelephoto electronics, AF movement,
zoom and aperture mecha-
nisms, and lens resolution.
Adjusting optical axis
All of which ensures that the
lens does what it's supposed
to — provide the outstanding
optical performance and reli-
ability that make NIKKOR
lenses the pro's choice the
world over.
Inspecting resolution
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