Here is our additional coverage on Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens ($13,999.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama). You can find user manual, hands-on videos, comparison details about the lens.
This fast S-Line lens arrives just in time to complement the unstoppable potential of the Nikon Z9, and opens creative possibilities for professionals photographing sports and wildlife where there is no room for compromise on extreme reach and incredible sharpness.
The reference manual for the new Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S mirrorless lens is already available online (direct link to PDF file).
By the way major accessories for the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens are very expensive.
- Nikon HK-42 Lens Hood: $1,070.95
- Nikon CL-L3 Lens Case S: $291.95
- Nikon LC-K105 Front Lens Cap: $82.95
- Nikon C-PL460 Slip-In Circular Polarizer: $512.95
First Review of Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
From Camera Labs verdict :
Nikon’s Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S is an excellent super-telephoto with one extremely compelling feature over rival systems: It has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter which changes it into a 560mm f4.0 lens at the flick of a switch. This makes the lens much more versatile and makes it a unique “two-for-the-price/weight-of-one” lens for sports and wild-life photography. The lens also produces very sharp images with virtually no field-curvature or colour aberrations and can confidently be used wide open and with the built-in 1.4x teleconverter or Nikon’s Z TC-2.0x. Its Bokeh is very nice and the optical image stabilization of over 5 stops proves really helpful with the challenges of hand-holding a 400mm lens. This is also helped by shaving almost 1 kg off the weight of its predecessor, the AF-S 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR. All this makes the Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S rightfully earn a Highly Recommended – despite its high price.
Good points:
- Excellent resolution and contrast across the full frame at 400mm focal length.
- Built in 1.4x teleconverter.
- Very good image quality with built-in 1.4x teleconverter or Z TC-2.0x.
- Very effective optical image stabilization.
- Very good close-up performance.
- Practically no longitudinal colour aberrations or purple fringing.
- Only little vignetting and no distortions – through lens-profile.
- Very little field-curvature.
- Reliable AF operation.
- Very nice Bokeh, although with the risk of double contours.
- Weather sealing, multi function ring, function buttons, focus limiter.
- Nice lens pouch – finally!
Bad points:
- Relatively strong focus breathing.
- Tripod foot is not Arca Swiss compatible
- High price.
NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs. NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Specifications Comparison
NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs. NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lenses specifications comparison based on Nikon’s website.
| NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR | NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S | ||
| Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| $11,196.95 | $13,996.95 | ||
| Format | |||
| FX | FX | ||
| Focal length | |||
| 400mm | Without built-in teleconverter: 400 mm With built-in teleconverter: 560 mm | ||
| Maximum aperture | |||
| f/2.8 | Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 2.8 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 4 | ||
| Minimum aperture | |||
| f/22 | Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 22 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 32 | ||
| Lens construction | |||
| 16elements in, 12groups, (including 2 ED lens elements, 2 fluorite elements, and lens elements with Nano-Crystal coatings) and 1 protective glass element (with fluorine coat) | 25 elements in 19 groups (including 7 elements in 4 groups in the built-in teleconverter, 2 ED elements, 2 fluorite elements, 1 super-ED element, 1 SR element, elements with meso-amorphous and ARNEO coats, and a fluorine-coated front lens element) | ||
| Angle of view | |||
| Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras: 6° 10′, Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras: 4° | FX-format, without built-in teleconverter: 6° 10‘ FX-format, with built-in teleconverter: 4° 30‘ DX-format, without built-in teleconverter: 4° DX-format, with built-in teleconverter: 2° 50‘ | ||
| Minimum focus distance | |||
| 2.6m (8.5ft) | 2.5 m (8.21 ft) | ||
| VR image stabilization | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| No. of diaphragm blades | |||
| 9 (rounded) | 9 (rounded) | ||
| Coating | |||
| Nano Crystal Coat | Fluorine coat, ARNEO coat, Meso-amorphous | ||
| Dimensions | |||
| 159.5 mm x 358 mm | 156 mm x 380 mm | ||
| Weight | |||
| Approx. 3800 g | Approx. 2950 g | ||
| Internal focusing | |||
| Yes | Yes | ||
| Focus mode | |||
| Manual, Manual/Auto, Auto/Manual | — | ||
| G-type | |||
| Yes | — | ||
| Mount | |||
| F-mount | Z-mount | ||
| Focusing system | |||
| — | Internal focusing system | ||
| Maximum reproduction ratio | |||
| — | 0.17 x | ||
| Vibration reduction | |||
| — | Lens shift using voice coil motors (VCMs) | ||
| Aperture range | |||
| — | Without built-in teleconverter: f/2.8 to 22 With built-in teleconverter: f/4 to 32 | ||
| Focus limit switch | |||
| — | Two positions: FULL (∞ to 2.5 m) and ∞ to 6 m | ||
| Supplied accessories | |||
| — | LC-K105 Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap), HK-42 Lens Hood, LN-3 Strap, CL-L3 Lens Case | ||
First Videos of Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens: $13,999.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.
Nikon Z9 body: $5,496.95 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens: $2,696.95 at B&H, Adorama.
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens: $1,096.95 at B&H, Adorama.
