Nikon has announced the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR super zoom lens. The new lens is designed for use with the company’s Z series full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Super zoom
Covering focal lengths from 28 mm to 400 mm, the new lens delivers a 14.2x zoom range. Nikon says this is the highest zoom ratio for a lens in this class and a first for NIKKOR Z lenses. However, despite this, the lens is also the lightest in its class, weighing only 1.6 pounds (725g). In addition, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm lens is only 5.57 inches (141.5 mm) in length, making it easy to carry around and to shoot handheld.
Autofocus performance
The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 lens uses a stepping motor that delivers fast and quiet autofocusing. The linear manual focus drive also enables smooth focusing, which is especially useful for video shooting. At the wide-angle end of the zoom, the lens has a minimum focus distance of under 8 inches (0.2m). In addition, the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm lens features VR (vibration reduction) image stabilization equivalent to a 5.0-stop increase in shutter speed.
Other features
This lens comes with a compact, square lens hood. Nikon also says that the lens has thorough sealing on various portions including movable parts of the lens barrel. This stops dust and water droplets from entering the lens to make it dust and drip-resistant.
What we think
The NIKKOR Z 28-400mm super zoom lens delivers a very versatile focal length range while still being light enough to carry around comfortably. It’s also a great choice for sports, travel and wildlife videography. Some people will be concerned about the maximum aperture being restricted to f/8 at the telephoto end of the zoom range. However, that’s a necessary sacrifice to keep the size and weight down. Shooting out of doors during daylight f/8 shouldn’t be a problem and you will still get a shallow depth of field at 400 mm. If you use a full frame Z mount mirrorless camera, Nikon’s new super zoom lens looks to be great value.
Pricing and availability
Nikon says that the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR super zoom lens will be available from mid-April. It will retail at $1,299.
