Nikon to launch Nikkor 1 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens for AW1 camera

Nikon is rumored to announce the new Nikkor 1 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens for the AW1 underwater camera sometime in the following months.

Nikonos is a legendary 35mm film camera series consisting of SLRs with interchangeable lens support capable of capturing photos underwater.

This series has been launched by Nikon in the early 1960s and it has been manufactured for about 40 years until the early 2000s.

Nowadays, most cameras can go below water with special cases that tend to get really expensive and to add a lot of bulk into the mix.

Nikon has thought about that and it has recently introduced the AW1, the first digital camera with interchangeable lens support that allows photographers to take images underwater without the need of a special housing.

Only two Nikon AW1 lenses – 10mm f/2.8 and 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 – are available for the underwater mirrorless camera. The rumor mill says that a new Nikkor 1 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens is in the works and it is coming soon.

Only two lenses are available for the new Nikon AW1 underwater camera

The device consists of a 1-system mirrorless camera with a 14.2-megapixel image sensor and 3-inch LCD screen among others.

It has been launched alongside the 10mm f/2.8 and 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 optics. Although it supports all other CX-mount optics, they are not waterproof and will get damaged in the process, along with the AW1.

As the wide-angle side is in great shape, the Japanese company is receiving a lot of demands from users to cover more aspects of photography. Usually, people want to capture as many degrees as possible underwater, but a 35mm equivalent of 75mm will not take you closer to the things that you are afraid of approaching in the ocean.

Nikon rumored to launch Nikkor 1 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens for the AW1

It seems like Nikon is aiming to solve this issue with the launch of a Nikkor 1 10-100mm f/4-5.6 lens for the AW1.

Taking the crop factor into account, the telephoto end of this zoom lens would offer a 35mm equivalent of 272mm, which is more than enough to bring you closer to the action.

It is worth noting that photographers would have to be in somewhat clear waters, where the visibility is high, as this will not be among the brightest lenses available on the market.

No release date speculation, yet, but CES 2014 is really close

There is no rumored release date, but Nikon will most likely introduce this lens during the Consumer Electronics Show 2014. The event is nearing and it is an opportunity for digital imaging companies to get more exposure.

Meanwhile, the Nikon AW1 is available at Amazon for a price of $796.95 with a 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 lens. Two lens kit, including the 10mm f/2.8 optic, can be purchased for $996.95.