Nikon permanently retires 16-35mm f/4G FX lens and more?

Nikon
(Image credit: Nikon)

The number of discontinued Nikon DSLR lenses continues to grow, with one notable lens among a raft of discontinuations being the full-frame AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR, the ultra-wide angle lens of choice for many pro photographers.

Another surprising lens now listed as ‘old product’ on the main Nikon Japan website is the AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, an ever-popular upgrade to the AF-P DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR standard kit lens.

Read more: Best Nikon lenses

Four further Nikkor F-mount lenses are now listed as ‘old product’ on the Nikon website – that’s three FX lenses and three DX lenses in total – as well as appearing ‘out of stock’ with retailers such as Adorama and B&H.

With the recent discontinuation of the Nikon 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR lens – the main kit lens for the Nikon D3500 and Nikon D5600 DX-format DSLRs – seeming to spell the end of those entry-level cameras, the departure of three more DX lenses from the Nikkor F-mount line-up gives further weight to speculation that the end is nigh for Nikon’s DX format

The departure of three full-frame lenses from the Nikon lineup is a little more surprising, particularly the Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G. The Nikkor F-mount lenses newly listed as discontinued or old stock, according to Nikon Rumors, are as follows:

• AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR

• AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR

• AF-S Nikkor 200mm f/2G ED VR II 

• AF-S DX Nikkor 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR

• AF-S DX Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3G ED VR

• AF-S DX Nikkor Micro 85mm f/3.5G ED VR

It seems that Nikon is clearly focusing on its Z-mount mirrorless system, recently confirming that it plans to have 30 lenses available for its full-frame and DX Z-mount systems by the end of this fiscal year.

However there are reports that two new Nikon DSLRs, as well as several new F-mount lenses, will be released in the same period, countering speculation that the company is concentrating solely on its Z-mount mirrorless cameras for the foreseeable future.

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Best mirrorless cameras
Best Nikon cameras
Best DSLR

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Laurence McJannet

Laurence is an NCTJ-trained journalist with nearly 20 years' editorial experience gained on a wide range of publications, from The Beirut Times in Lebanon to The Sunday Times, and including recent freelance engagements with Future's cycling and automotive portfolios, Outdoor Fitness, and The English Home. He has recently been undertaking a sports broadcast journalism MA at Southampton Solent, gaining valuable TV and radio experience, and am currently videographer for Frome Town FC soccer team. He is the author of Bikepacking (Wild Things Publishing, 2016).