Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens
Image courtesy: Nikon

As we watch the mirrorless cameras rise to the forefront of the industry, it’s no surprise that we continue to see new professional lenses to accompany them. The Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is a beast of a lens built for full-frame. The boast of this lens is the fast f/2.8 aperture at the 400mm focal length. It comes with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter, essentially giving you a second lens of 560mm at f/4. While this is an incredible lens with features to brag about, the $13,995 price tag leaves this lens to the professionals. 

Faster, quieter and clearer 

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens white background
Image courtesy: Nikon

Price aside, let’s take a look at the guts of this lens. This is part of the S-Line, Nikon’s premium mirrorless line-up, which they claim has “superior performance, resolution and impeccable build quality.” It also comes equipped with Nikon’s Vibration Reduction (VR) to give you an extra 5.5 stops. Nikon has developed a new Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM) that gives lenses of all sizes smooth, near-silent operation.

The optics contain two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, one Super ED, a Fluorite element, and a short-wavelength refractive element — basically everything Nikon can do to give you the best optics with reduced color issues like fringing and aberration.

Designed with video in mind  

Coming in at 6.5 pounds, this lens is 20 percent lighter than its F-mount counterpart. It has a click-less control ring for smooth iris adjustments and the VCM motor to give you quick, quiet focus. Nikon claims it placed all the buttons on the lens with no-look, comfortable operation in mind. There is also a memory set button that allows you to pre-focus and recall it when your subject moves back into position, giving you a nice advantage when shooting action, sports, and wildlife.

Breakdown  

  • FX Full Frame Z lens 
  • S Line premium optics and build 
  • 400mm f/2.8 
  • Built-in 1.4x teleconverter (560mm f/4) 
  • VR Image Stabilization 
  • Silky Swift VCM quiet autofocus system 
  • Advanced weather sealing 
  • Premium Glass & Coatings – ED, Super ED, SR, M, FLC, ARN 
  • Internal Focus (IF) 
  • Electromagnetic Diaphragm (E)

Pricing and availability

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 400MM F/2.8 TC VR S comes with a price tag of $13,995 and is available in late February.

Greyson Collins is a colorist, photographer and editor. He currently works as imaging and plant manager at Paradise Pictures, LLC, where he develops and manages systems for proprietary color imaging workflows.