Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR User manual

©2021 Nikon Corporation
SB1H01(11)
7MMA7211-01 En
• Read this document thoroughly before using the product.
• To ensure proper use of the product, be sure to read “For Your Safety” (page 4).
• After reading this document, keep it readily accessible for future reference.
Reference Guide
NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR

Table of Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Before You Begin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
For Your Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Using the Lens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Attachment and Removal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Vibration Reduction (VR). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cautions: Taking Photographs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Precautions for Use. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Lens Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Technical Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Cameras with AF-Assist Illuminators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using the Lens on Cameras with a Built-in Flash. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Accessories. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table of Contents
2

Introduction
Before You Begin
Before using this product, please read these instructions carefully. You will also
need to consult the documentation provided with the camera.
• This lens is intended exclusively for use with mirrorless cameras featuring a
Nikon Z mount.
• Update the camera firmware to the latest version. With earlier versions, the
camera may fail to detect the lens correctly and some features may not be
available. The latest version of the camera firmware can be downloaded from
the Nikon Download Center at the URL below.
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/
No reproduction in any form of this document, in whole or in part (except for
brief quotation in critical articles or reviews), may be made without written
authorization from NIKON CORPORATION.
3Before You Begin

For Your Safety
To prevent damage to property or injury to yourself or to others, read “For Your
Safety” in its entirety before using this product.
After reading these safety instructions, keep them readily accessible for future
reference.
WARNING: Failure to observe the precautions marked with this icon
could result in death or severe injury.
CAUTION: Failure to observe the precautions marked with this icon
could result in injury or property damage.
WARNING
Do not disassemble or modify this product. Do not touch internal parts
that become exposed as the result of a fall or other accident.
Failure to observe these precautions could result in electric shock or other
injury.
Should you notice any abnormalities such as the product producing
smoke, heat, or unusual odors, immediately disconnect the camera power
source.
Continued operation could result in fire, burns or other injury.
4For Your Safety

WARNING
Keep dry. Do not handle with wet hands.
Failure to observe these precautions could result in fire or electric shock.
Do not use this product in the presence of flammable dust or gas such as
propane, gasoline or aerosols.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in explosion or fire.
Do not directly view the sun or other bright light source through the lens.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in visual impairment.
Keep this product out of reach of children.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction.
In addition, note that small parts constitute a choking hazard. Should a child
swallow any part of this product, seek immediate medical attention.
Do not handle with bare hands in locations exposed to extremely high or
low temperatures.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in burns or frostbite.
For Your Safety
5

CAUTION
Do not leave the lens pointed at the sun or other strong light sources.
Light focused by the lens could cause fire or damage to product’s internal
parts. When shooting backlit subjects, keep the sun well out of the frame.
Sunlight focused into the camera when the sun is close to the frame could
cause fire.
Do not leave the product where it will be exposed to extremely high
temperatures, for an extended period such as in an enclosed automobile
or in direct sunlight.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in fire or product malfunction.
Do not transport cameras or lenses with tripods or similar accessories
attached.
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury or product malfunction.
For Your Safety
6

Using the Lens
Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions
The parts of the lens are listed below.
1 2 3 4
Lens hood mounting mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood” (p.14)
Zoom ring
Rotate the ring to zoom in or out.
Focal length scale
Determine the approximate focal length when zooming the lens in or out.
Focal length mark
Determine the approximate focal length when zooming the lens in or out.
7Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions
1
2
3
4

5 6 7
Control ring
•Autofocus mode selected:
Rotate the ring to adjust a setting such as [Focus (M/A)] or [Aperture]
assigned using the camera. For more information, see the description of
[Custom control assignment], [Custom controls], or [Custom controls
(shooting)] in the documentation provided with the camera.
•Manual focus mode selected:
Rotate the ring to focus.
Lens mounting mark
Use when mounting the lens on the camera.
“Attachment and Removal” (p.11)
CPU contacts
Used to transfer data to and from the camera.
Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions
8
5
6
7

8 9
10
Lens hood *
Lens hoods block stray light that would otherwise cause flare or ghosting.
They also serve to protect the lens.
Available separately.
“Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood” (p.14)
Lens hood lock mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood” (p.14)
Lens hood alignment mark
Use when attaching the lens hood.
“Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood” (p.14)
Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions
9
8
*
9
10

11
Lens cap (front cap)
12
Lens cap (rear cap)
• The rear lens caps supplied with lens kits may differ from that shown
here, in which case is not required.
Parts of the Lens: Names and Functions
10
11
12

Attachment and Removal
Attaching the Lens
Turn the camera off, remove the body cap, and detach
the rear lens cap.
11 Attachment and Removal
1.

Position the lens on the camera body, keeping the
mounting mark on the lens aligned with the mounting
mark on the camera body ( ), and then rotate the lens
counterclockwise ( ) until it clicks into place.
Attachment and Removal
12
2.

Removing the Lens
Turn the camera off.
Press and hold the lens release button ( ) while turning
the lens clockwise ( ).
Attachment and Removal
13
1.
2.

Attaching and Removing the Optional
Lens Hood
• Align the lens hood mounting mark with the lens hood alignment mark ( )
and then rotate the hood ( ) until the mounting mark is aligned with the lens
hood lock mark ( ).
1 2 3
Lens hood alignment mark
Lens hood mounting mark
Lens hood lock mark
14 Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood
1
2
3

• Gripping the front too tightly makes the lens hood difficult to attach or remove.
When rotating the lens hood, hold it near the lens hood alignment mark ( ).
• To remove the lens hood, reverse the above steps.
• The lens hood can be reversed and mounted on the lens when not in use.
Attaching and Removing the Optional Lens Hood
15

Vibration Reduction (VR)
The lens supports vibration reduction. Vibration reduction settings can be
adjusted from the camera. See the documentation provided with the camera for
details.
Vibration reduction allows shutter speeds slower than would otherwise be the
case, expanding the range of shutter speeds available.
Vibration Reduction
• Due to the design of the vibration reduction system, the lens may rattle when
shaken. This does not indicate a malfunction.
• To reduce blur caused by tripod shake, select [Normal] or [Sport] for the on-
camera vibration reduction option when the camera is mounted on a tripod.
Note, however, that depending on the type of tripod and shooting
conditions, there may be cases in which [Off] is the preferred option.
• [Normal] or [Sport] is recommended when the camera is mounted on a
monopod.
16 Vibration Reduction (VR)

Cautions: Taking Photographs
• The following restrictions apply when the lens is used with an FX-format
camera:
The camera will use the DX-format image area, which reduces the number of
pixels recorded and the number of focus points.
The [Image Dust Off ref photo] option in the setup menu cannot be used.
• Videos shot with 1920 × 1080 120p, 1920 × 1080 100p, or 1920 × 1080 slow-
motion selected for [Frame size/frame rate] in the movie shooting menu are
recorded at the following frame sizes and rates when the lens is mounted on a
Z 6:
1920 × 1080; 120p → 1920 × 1080; 60p
1920 × 1080; 100p → 1920 × 1080; 50p
1920 × 1080; 30p ×4 (slow-motion) → 1920 × 1080; 30p
1920 × 1080; 25p ×4 (slow-motion) → 1920 × 1080; 25p
1920 × 1080; 24p ×5 (slow-motion) → 1920 × 1080; 24p
17 Cautions: Taking Photographs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Precautions for Use
• Do not pick up or hold the lens or camera using only the lens caps or lens
hood.
• Keep the CPU contacts clean.
• Reattach the lens caps when the lens is not in use.
• Do not leave the lens in humid locations or in locations in which it may be
exposed to moisture. Rusting of the internal mechanism can cause irreparable
damage.
• Do not leave the lens next to open flames or in other extremely hot locations.
Extreme heat could damage or warp the lens.
• Taking the lens from a warm to a cold environment or vice versa may cause
damaging condensation inside and outside the lens. Place the lens in a sealed
bag or plastic case before taking it across a temperature boundary. The lens can
be taken from the bag or case once it has had time to adjust to the new
temperature.
• We recommend that you place the lens in a case (available separately) to
protect it from scratches during transport.
18 Precautions for Use

Lens Maintenance
• Removing dust is normally sufficient to clean the glass surfaces of the lens.
• Smudges, fingerprints, and other oily stains can be removed using a soft, clean
cotton cloth or third-party lens cleaning tissue lightly dampened with a small
amount of ethanol or third-party lens cleaner; clean from the center outwards in
a circular motion. Be sure to clean evenly and thoroughly without leaving
smears.
• Never use organic solvents such as paint thinner or benzene to clean the lens.
• Neutral Color (NC) filters (available separately) and the like can be used to
protect the front lens element.
• Do not store the lens in direct sunlight or with naphtha or camphor moth balls.
If the lens will not be used for an extended period, store it in a cool, dry location
to prevent mold and rust.
19 Lens Maintenance

Technical Notes
Cameras with AF-Assist Illuminators
The lens or lens hood may block the light from the camera AF-assist illuminator.
• For the information on using the lens with cameras that have built-in AF-assist
illuminators, visit the site below.
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/
20 Cameras with AF-Assist Illuminators