The Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S supertelephoto was under development in October 2021, but now the full details are here
(Image credit: Nikon)
Nikon is steadily building its line-up of professional Z mount lenses, and the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S fills a gap in the line-up for a fast, super-telephoto prime, a key lens for high-end sports and wildlife photographers.
This is likely to be an important lens for Nikon, and looks a perfect partner for the brand new Nikon Z9 pro mirrorless camera.
It’s perfectly feasible to use existing Nikon F pro lenses with the Z9 and the new FTZ II adapter, as shown by pro wildlife photographer Andrew Mason, shooting with a Z9 and a Nikon F 600mm f/4.
However, the new Z lens will have been optimized for the wider Nikon Z mount and shorter flange distance, and Z lenses are likely to be seen as the best long-term option for Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, even for Nikon DSLR users making the switch.
This new Nikon supertelephoto has a focal length of 400mm but incorporates a built-in 1.4x teleconverter to optionally take the focal length to 560mm at f/4. It has “silky swift” VCM AF with an optical ABS encoder for “phenomenally fast” autofocus, subject acquisition and tracking.
This lens has the potential to go further still – as well as having its own built-in teleconverter, it’s compatible with the Nikon Z Teleconverter TC-1.4x and Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x.
Optical stabilization is built in with 5.5 stop VR, and Synchro VR will be applied in conjunction with the Z9’s own in-body stabilization. Meso Amorphous Coat lens coatings are used to combat ghosting and flare, with a fluorine coating on the front element to repel oil and moisture.
Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter
The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!
Inside, the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has ED, Super ED, and SR glass elements to counter chromatic aberration, and there’s an integrated filter slot at the rear for drop-in filters.
Nikon says it’s balanced this lens with the center of gravity towards the rear for easier handling. There’s a removable tripod foot, extensive weather sealing and a customisable FN ring, Fn buttons, focus ring, and silent control ring.
Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S price and availability
The Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S will be available from February 2022 in the US and in “Spring 2022” in the UK. It will cost $13,996.95 / £13,499.00 / AU$22,999.
Rod is an independent photography journalist and editor, and a long-standing Digital Camera World contributor, having previously worked as DCW's Group Reviews editor. Before that he has been technique editor on N-Photo, Head of Testing for the photography division and Camera Channel editor on TechRadar, as well as contributing to many other publications. He has been writing about photography technique, photo editing and digital cameras since they first appeared, and before that began his career writing about film photography. He has used and reviewed practically every interchangeable lens camera launched in the past 20 years, from entry-level DSLRs to medium format cameras, together with lenses, tripods, gimbals, light meters, camera bags and more. Rod has his own camera gear blog at fotovolo.com but also writes about photo-editing applications and techniques at lifeafterphotoshop.com
