Nikon today expanded their DX Nikkor line with introduced the new 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. Developed for use with all Nikon D-series digital SLR Cameras, the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX lens will be included as the compact, lightweight 7.5x zoom lens in the recently announced Nikon D80 10.2-megapixel digital SLR camera outfit.

The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX is said to have a broad focal length range (providing picture angle performance approximating a 28-200mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera) that is suitable for a wide variety of shooting situations, ranging from wide-angle landscapes to portraits, recreational sports, action and close-ups. This new lens offers a selection of Nikon’s famed technologies such as compact Silent Wave motor (AF-S) for super fast and quiet autofocus operation, Extra-Low Dispersion glass (ED) for minimized chromatic aberrations, and Internal Focusing (IF) for convenient and balanced handling.

The 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX lens will be available beginning September 2006 for a suggested retail price of $485. The lens will also be sold packaged with the recently announced D80 10.2-megapixle digital SLR camera. The packaged outfit will have an estimated street price of $1299.95, offering photographers substantial savings when purchased together.