Trio of PC lenses from Nikon

One this March and two to follow

29 January 2008 15:25 GMT / By Katie Scott

The first of three PC (Perspective Control) lenses to arrive this year has now been unveiled.

The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED is priced £1099.99 and will arrive in the UK in March.

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 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 depth-of-field confirmation. Auto aperture control is also available for SLR models compatible with electromagnetic diaphragm (including the D3 and D300 DSLRs).

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, continues the manufacturer.

It is suited also to close-up photography, says Nikon, as it has a closest focusing distance of only 0.21 m and a maximum reproduction ratio of 1/2.7.

Tech specs are not available for the other two lenses but we do know that it'll be the PC-E NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D ED and both are expected to be on show at PMA in Las Vegas, which kicks off on Thursday.

Key features at a glance:
- Three ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements for colour correction and minimising chromatic aberration
- Three aspherical lens elements
- Rounded 9-blade diaphragm
- Focal length: 24 mm
- Maximum aperture: f/3.5
- Minimum aperture f/32
- Lens construction: 13 elements in 10 groups
- Closest focus distance: 0.21 m
- Diameter x length: Approx. 82.5 x 108 mm
- Weight: Approx. 730 g