Dustproof, waterproof Nikon Nikkor lenses

Nikon Nikkor Protected Lenses

Pictured Christer Dahlin and him Nikon D2X (source)

Does Nikon have lenses for digital SLR cameras with dust and moisture protection?

The answer is no. In general, there are no such lenses. There are only myths, assurances, inaccurate or partial information on official sites about the reliability of Nikon Nikkor lenses. Some lenses can only protect individual components or elements (described below). There are still prejudices about the rubber seal near the lens mount (described below).

It is good that Nikon more or less clearly indicates the level of protection for its cameras. True, if you use an unprotected lens on a protected camera, you will end up with an unprotected set as well.

What really?

In fact, Nikon has a list (lists for different countries) of professional lenses that are serviced Nikon Professional Services (NPS). Theoretically, lenses from NPS should have a higher level of protection, but again, nothing is specifically indicated about this anywhere. The list of professional lenses on the Russian site can be viewed at this link (And backup screen) And the mistakes in marking the lenses there are a dime a dozen (which is only worth the AF-S DX Fish-Eye Nikkor 10.5mm f / 2.8G IF).

If you conduct a small investigation, you can make sure that the information about dust and moisture protection (all weather protection) are being manipulated.

For example, let's take one of the newest and TOP professional lenses -  Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4E FLED VR, priced in excess of $ 12.000. In his instructions (see instructions) there is no information about the overall security of the lens, but there is only a note 'Do not expose the product to water or handle with wet hands. Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or electric shock. ' ('Do not expose the product to water or handle it with wet hands. Failure to do so may result in fire or electric shock.').

But not all bad, fluorinated coating of the front protective lens Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 600mm 1: 4E FLED VR, however, makes it easy to protect the lens (front protective lens only) from water, dust and dirt. Front lens protection indicated in the instructionsbut the front lens is not the whole lens.

The official global website nikon.com provides reliable information on protecting only the front lens (see lens description link, backup screen). At the same time, the following information is already available on the official Russian-language website: 'Lightweight, durable and reliable the lens case is equipped with professional protection against dust and moisture. ' (see link, backup screen).

Not so bad (addition from comments)

Not everything is so bad, on official sites there is still information about the protection of some lenses. Basically, these are super telephoto lenses.

For these lenses, the following is indicated:

  • Engineered to Nikon professional D-SLR standards to effectively resist dust and moisture
  • Lightweight magnesium die-cast barrel with dust and moisture resistance, it's ideal for photographers in the field shooting motor sports, outdoor athletes, wildlife and much more.

But still, if you open the instructions for these lenses, then there is a question of protection is silent.

Rubber lens mount seal

Some modern lenses have a special rubber-seal, which improves the protection of the lens from dust and dirt. For example, such a seal is available on my lens Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM:

Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM rubber mount lens mount seal

Rubber lens mount seal Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM

This seal is often referred to as the lens 'spacer' or 'skirt'. It can be removed very easily from the lens, but putting it back is much more difficult.

Such a sealant have only some lenses 'G' type и 'E' type (including 'PC-E '). Lenses that have a diaphragm control ring ('NON-G' lenses) do not have a seal, since the rotating aperture ring is the mating point between the lens and the camera.

Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM Rubber Lens Mount

Rubber lens mount seal Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM

In the instructions for lenses with such a seal, there is no useful information that would give data about the level of protection of the lens. Everything you can find there comes down to this information:

If the lens mount rubber seal is damaged, have it repaired by a Nikon-authorized service center or service center. (and in the Russian version of the manual instead of 'Nikon' it is written 'NiCon', page 55, see for yourself link).

Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM Rubber Lens Mount

Rubber lens mount seal Nikon 50mm 1: 1.4G AF-S Nikkor SWM

Sometimes you can find information that lenses with a rubber lens mount seal are dustproof or waterproof. In fact, this seal does not make the lens truly protected, it simply improves (tightens) the interface between the lens mount and the camera mount, making it more difficult for dust to enter. Judging by the dirty seal of my lens, it is possible and prevents part of the dust from entering the gaps between the lens and the camera. In my reviews of Nikon Nikkor lenses that have such a seal, I simply indicate its presence and write about basic (but not full) dust protection.

My experience with Nikon Nikkor lenses shows that the presence of such a seal is practically invisible in practice. If I didn't know about its existence, the amount of dust and dirt, most likely, would not have changed. I was wondering - maybe in at least one manual, at least for one lens, there is a mention of its security, so I shoveled a ton of them, which allowed me to compile an accurate list of all Nikon Nikkor lenses that have a lens mount seal.

Fix lenses of the Nikon DX series that have a rubber lens mount seal (exact and complete list, revision of the list dated 27.07.2016/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Zoom lenses of the Nikon DX series, which have a rubber lens mount seal (accurate and complete list, revision of the list of 27.07.2016/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Fix lenses of the Nikon FX series, which have a rubber lens mount seal (exact and complete list, revision of the list on 19.10.2016/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Zoom lenses of the Nikon FX series, which have a rubber lens mount seal (exact and complete list, revision of the list dated 19.10.2016/XNUMX/XNUMX)

Most of these lenses have the line “Dust and Waterproof rubber sealing mount” in their descriptions, but this only means that the lens mount is protected, but not the entire lens as a whole.

What other protection do Nikon lenses have?

Nikon does not have an abbreviation for lens protection. The only indicator directly related to protection is fluorine coat (fluorine coating). True, the first lens with such a coating was announced recently - in the summer of 2014, and the lenses themselves with such protection are very expensive, and their variety is very small.

Sign of fluorite enlightenment

Sign of fluoride enlightenment (coating)

The exact list of lenses with a protective fluorine coating on the front lens:

If you move away from lenses for SLR cameras, then for mirrorless cameras you can find waterproof, frost-resistant, shock-resistant and at the same time dustproof lenses Nikon 1 Nikkor AW 11-27.5mm 1: 3.5-5.6 ED Aspherical и Nikon 1 Nikkor AW 10mm 1: 2.8.

What to do?

Accept the situation. Despite the fact that there is no exact data on the security of Nikon Nikkor lenses for SLR cameras, most (and maybe all) TOP professional lenses made very high quality and will be able to endure very serious tests.

My experience

I don’t shoot in extreme conditions, in which I have to go through the wet jungle for days on end in search of an interesting shot, and I do not shoot in extreme desert temperatures. In our latitudes, only severe frost can damage equipment. I stopped looking for some Nikon protected lenses a long time ago. Ordinary professional, or simply high-quality Nikkory tolerate extreme conditions very well, and the fact that they don’t have any kind of golden or red mark that indicates security does not make them any worse. Of course, I am sorry that the policy of this issue is covered at times worse than that of Canon.

Results

  • The instructions for Nikon lenses provide only clear indications of the security of the front or rear lens, as well as the protection of the mount points of the mount from dust and dirt. Information about the protection from dust and dirt of other parts of the housing can be found only on official websites and brochures and only for a small number of lenses.
  • Some professional Nikon modern lenses have an increased build quality to protect against external influences and very well tolerate stressful situations in the rain, moisture, dust, mud and other troubles. There are legends on the network that official technical support indicates in personal correspondence some lens models that have a certain level of general security. A general list of such lenses can be found on the Nikon NPS service pages.
  • Rubber lens mount seal - just a nice little thing in the lens design. Unfortunately, it does not fully protect the lens. The role of this seal is more mythical than practical.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 81, on the topic: Dustproof, waterproof Nikon Nikkor lenses

  • Oleg

    Yesterday I shot in the rain on Kenon 6D with 50 / 1.8 and the Mets-58 puff. Drops froze on the carcass, flash and lens. He took out the battery at home, and dried it.
    Protected camera, flagship flash, fiction plastic lens. So there is less fear, comrades :)

  • Juras

    Will you take pictures ??? Good gentlemen ... One good shot can cost one lens and will glorify you for centuries ...

  • Dmitriy

    Excellent article!
    Many thanks to Arkady for the work done!
    Sincerely, Dmitry.

  • anonym

    Because of the torment with files from canon, I have been looking closely at switching to Nikoncrop for a long time (the d500 especially tempts) and thought to buy him 24 1.8 as a thirty-five. I saw a seal in the photo - I was already delighted ... But here. eh…. What are they - damn it? “Let’s have oil dripping on the matrix and there will be no optical protection standards and other technical jambs, but we will use ancient sensors with non-stretching raves”.

    • MIROGOR

      If you like it, take it! I have been shooting with D300, rev.N-18-200, for 8 years now (I dream of D810) and am satisfied. I shoot mainly when traveling, of course it happened in the rain. And more than once. And everything is fine! Nothing was locked anywhere. For me, the main quality of the picture. Nikon's picture is more pleasant to me. I've read somewhere that more than 70% of photojournalists in the world shoot on Nikon.

  • anonym

    seals in pictures? It is necessary to the doctor urgently! Suddenly what is bad

  • Michael

    If the same Nikon makes binoculars with protection (the same optics), then, if desired, you can make Water Protect lenses for DSLRs:

    “Waterproof [model] (up to 5 minutes at up to 2 meters) and anti-fog design with O-rings and nitrogen filling.”

    http://www.nikon.ru/ru_RU/product/sport-optics/binoculars/marine/7×50-if-wp

  • scif

    The rubber seal on the bayonet mount of NIKON lenses is generally just for beauty .. install on the camera and see what kind of clearance !!! under the shower I was flooded with a bayonet and contacts, although I used nikkor 24-70 2.8G

  • Aleks

    Thank you so much for the information. I’m just trying to decide on the system and I used nikon several times, but I didn’t even have to look into the instructions (and I like the picture and “stretch”). I am always carried in a downpour, then up to my throat in the water, and on the coast, especially in autumn and spring along the coast, a real blizzard of sand .... And here's the news for you there are no protected lenses. I haven't decided yet. Of the pentaxes, I can now only reach k-s2, but the functionality is cut and the view is poor. And I am always drawn to shoot from non-standard angles…. I want a rotatable screen. I had one of those that spins in all directions, but in my opinion it is not as convenient as tilt screens, it interferes ... ..

  • Dezmond2

    But what about these?

    http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-500mm-f4g-ed-vr.html

    “Lightweight magnesium die-cast barrel with dust and moisture resistance, it's ideal for photographers in the field shooting motor sports, outdoor athletes, wildlife and much more”

    http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-400mm-f2.8g-ed-vr.html

    “Light and durable magnesium die-cast barrel and professional-grade dust- and moisture-resistant construction delivers a lifetime of reliability, and its exceptional performance makes it an optical masterpiece”

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Thanks. Added information to the article.

      However, information is being manipulated. On the sites indicated only for the super telephoto about the security of the lens, while in their instructions on security there is nothing.

      For example, for the top new 24-70E on the same http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product/camera-lenses/af-s-nikkor-24-70mm-f%252f2.8e-ed-vr.html

      It is written:

      Built for demanding professionals
      Capture the shot regardless of environment
      With a highly durable build quality designed to withstand the severest shooting environments, Fluorine coatings on the front and rear elements for easy cleaning, a rear rubber gasket to help keep moisture out, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f / 2.8E ED VR is ready for your toughest assignments.

      Specifically, they do not write about protection, they move out to the fact that the lens is designed to withstand difficult conditions, and then they move out specifically for enlightenment. And the manipulation is completed by a beautiful picture with seals. On the other hand, it is clear that the lens is protected.

  • Koba

    So I finally decided: I took my old Pentax K-5 with a Pentax 50-200 WR lens (not to be confused with the DL version! Mine has a red stripe!) And put it in the water for the whole night. In the morning I cleaned it, not including leaving it to dry for about an hour, and turned it on. Everything works, nothing is buggy. The mileage of the camera is about 200000, if it dies, I thought it was okay, this in a state of almost new in China now costs 260 dollars, and I immediately bought the lens for a ridiculous 60 dollars (although sometimes it is sold for all 100 green!). I did this trick because many times I shot with this set in the pouring rain and nothing ever happened, even in a wet state the device worked without problems. I think that the same trick can be done with many other cameras, such as the Nikon D300, 300s, 700, D7100, D7200, D7500, but I'm not sure about the lenses, they will most likely let water through. I also think the same can be said about the Canon 7D of all versions, with the exception of the lenses from Canon. And here's a shame - if Pentax can put high-quality seals in a penny lens (it's also only 250 grams!) And make it really protected, why do Nikon and Canon marketers forbid their engineers to do this? Personally, I think that they do this in order to reduce the overall service life of the equipment in order to sell them more often, as well as to make customers pay more for the service, that is, for their carelessness in work, let's say so.

  • mixamotu

    Guys and uv. Alexey-san! I, of course, lagged behind the thread, but I will tell you one thing: there is no such thing as waterproofing on lenses in practice ... Everything is the same in business, we had canons and nikons and even petax. They shoot everything in the rain, with unpredictably different success, but anyone will sink in the water. He himself drowned the mark4 with 200L and d3s ... By the way, they were successfully repaired later)

    • KalekseyG

      Probably it meant - Arkady-san. Well…

      • mixamotu

        I don’t mean specialized ones) Arkady has nothing to do with it, because Alexey argued something about canon above.

  • Jeka

    It’s interesting, but if you pull the passport from the tape recorder to the joint between the lens and the camera?

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English-version of this article https://radojuva.com/en/2016/01/protect-me-nikon-amen/

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