Update: 22/03/2024: A report viaNikon Rumors has suggested that this lens could be announced by Nikon next week; Wednesday, March 26 - undermining previous rumors that the lens would arrive in the later half of 2024. This new superzoom is not expected to be part of the Nikon S-line lenses, and the aperture range could be a half-stop faster or slower on both ends.
If this lens is announced next week I can see it ending up in many baskets for beginners and camera enthusiasts alike, especially if it does ship with the f/3.5-6.3 aperture range.
Original story: The latest rumor to hit the mills could possibly be the best Nikon superzoom ever to hit the market, but is it just a rumor or is there smoke with this fire? Let's discuss it!
The rumor originally surfaced from Nikon Rumors suggesting that a new Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/3.5-6.3 lens could be on the horizon for 2024 and it got us thinking… If this lens did see the light of day would this be the best-ever superzoom from Nikon?
It might be obvious this type of line won't be hitting the pro-grade S-line of Nikon Z lenses, or being attached to a Nikon Z9. However, can see this being an extremely popular lens, strapped to one of the best cameras for beginners.
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR (Image credit: Nikon)
Looking back at the days when we were all using the best DSLRs, Nikon launched the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR. This was the first full-frame superzoom that everyone could afford and it became a very popular lens. I know at least four of my photography enthusiast friends who all owned this lens at some point, and all said how easy it was to use and that they could capture anything with it.
So, if Nikon is to re-make this lens for its mirrorless cameras in the form of a Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/3.5-6.3 I can see it being a very popular lens indeed - I mean think about it this one les has all the popular focal lengths in one, hopefully, lightweight frame, 28mm for all your wide shots for landscape, 50mm for portraits, 85mm for studio work, 135mm for that telephoto compression and then 300mm makes it ideal for those that love to take images of their children at soccer/football practice or those that love wildlife.
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While I think this lens will be a popular choice with today's modern Nikon mirrorless cameras, there is no official word from Nikon on when this lens might be coming to the market or if at all - as it is a mere murmur at this point, with a suggested 2024 release date, if it is 2024, well we don't have long to wait and if it does come to market I can see it flying off the shelves.
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For nearly two decades Sebastian's work has been published internationally. Originally specializing in Equestrianism, his visuals have been used by the leading names in the equestrian industry such as The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), The Jockey Club, Horse & Hound, and many more for various advertising campaigns, books, and pre/post-event highlights.
He is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, holds a Foundation Degree in Equitation Science, and is a Master of Arts in Publishing. He is a member of Nikon NPS and has been a Nikon user since the film days using a Nikon F5 and saw the digital transition with Nikon's D series cameras and is still to this day the youngest member to be elected into BEWA, The British Equestrian Writers' Association.
He is familiar with and shows great interest in street, medium, and large format photography with products by Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar. Sebastian has also used many cinema cameras from the likes of Sony, RED, ARRI, and everything in between. He now spends his spare time using his trusted Leica M-E or Leica M2 shooting Street photography or general life as he sees it, usually in Black and White.
