Today Nikon officially unveiled its first super telephoto prime for the Z mount system, the Nikon Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S. Although we’ve known about this lens through a development announcement back in October of 2021, there was no detailed information provided, including its specifications and price. Now that the beast is out, many of our suspicious have been confirmed – this is the best super telephoto prime we have seen for any mirrorless system.
That’s obviously a bold claim to make, but if you read on, you will realize why this lens is a true benchmark that will be hard for any camera manufacturer to try to match. First of all, this lens has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter. Nikon has already done this with some of its lenses we’ve seen before for the F-mount (see our detailed review of Nikon 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR), but this is the first of its kind for the Z-mount. This already means higher optical performance, simply due to the shorter flange distance and all the optical advantages of the Z-mount we’ve discussed before. Just take a look at the MTF chart provided by Nikon for this lens with and without the 1.4x teleconverter:
To say that this MTF chart is impressive would be an understatement. While manufacturer-provided MTF charts only give us a glimpse of theoretical lens performance, we found that our lab tests often closely correlate to Nikon’s MTF charts, so we can make some conclusions based on what we see here. Basically, to have a flat line like we see on the left chart for both 10 and 30 lines/mm means that this lens is exceptionally sharp center to extreme edges, has very high level of contrast and a very smooth bokeh when the teleconverter is disengaged. Now take a look at the right chart – that’s with the 1.4x teleconverter engaged, making this lens a 560mm f/4 lens. Sharpness decreases very little, with a little drop off in meridional lines in extreme corners, while contrast levels drop just a bit – something expected to see with a teleconverter engaged. To be able to reach such impressive results with a teleconverter, we know that it is only possible when each TC is optimized for a given lens. Nikon has done this before with lenses like the 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR (which shipped with a 1.2x TC that cannot be bought separately), so this explains why the performance remains consistent even with a teleconverter. To be able to achieve such extreme sharpness, Nikon used a combination of high-performance optical elements including Extra-low Dispersion (ED), Super ED, Fluorite and Short-wavelength Refractive. Per Nikon, the combination of these elements in such an advanced optical formula completely eliminates color fringing, coma and chromatic aberration. This all means that the 400mm f/2.8 S lens is a two-in-one setup – you can use it as a 400mm f/2.8, or as a 560mm f/4, bypassing the need for another 500mm or 600mm super telephoto.
In the past, photographers wanted something like the 500mm f/4 because of weight savings when compared to a large and heavy 400mm f/2.8. But with this new Z-mount lens, there is no longer a need to switch to another lens to be able to hand-hold – the new Z 400mm f/2.8 S is under 3 kilos (2.95 kg to be exact), and that’s with the built-in TC! Compare that to its predecessor, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR that weighs a whopping 3.8 kg, or the 500mm f/4E FL ED VR that weighs 3,09 kg, or to the 600mm f/4E FL ED VR that weighs 3,81 kg – that’s a huge difference for any Nikon shooter. Or even better, compare it to the Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM, which has previously been considered the lightest among 400mm f/2.8 primes at just 2.84 kg, or the mirrorless Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS at 2.89 kg, neither of which have a built-in teleconverter (adding a 1.4x TC would bring both over 3 kg). This shows why the Z 400mm f/2.8 S is such an impressive engineering marvel.
As expected, Nikon put everything it has in its arsenal on this lens, which includes newer technologies we have never seen before. For example, the 400mm f/2.8 S is the first lens to have the new “Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (VCM)” autofocus motor that utilizes magnets instead of gears to move the lens focus groups. While “Silky Swift” sounds quite cheesy to me, Nikon is promising much faster initial AF speed acquisition, higher accuracy and very silent operation compared to silent-wave motors we have seen in the past. The magnets are pretty powerful indeed – so much so, that it might interfere with pacemaker devices, per Nikon’s warnings.
Another new innovation is the “Meso Amorphous Coat” in combination with ARNEO coat that is supposed to deliver better ghosting/glare performance compared to previous-generation coating technologies. When it comes to vibration reduction, this lens is equipped with VR that can compensate up to 5.5 stops when used in combination with a Nikon camera with in-body image stabilization (such as the Z9).
As expected, the lens is fully weather-sealed. It comes with a large carbon-fiber hood and a bunch of buttons and switches that are customizable through the camera menu.
Obviously all this comes at a pretty hefty price tag – the lens is going to retail for $13,999.95 when it is released. While that’s $2K more than what the 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR was sold for when it first came out, once you factor in the price of a teleconverter, inflation and other factors, that’s not a bad price to pay for such a premium offering – it is not meant to be a hobbyist lens. Combined with the Z9, this is going to be one of the most desired setups for sports and wildlife photography for many years to come…
Official Press Release
Here is the official press release from Nikon:
THE NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S: A new pinnacle of performance for sports, action and wildlife shooters
Nikon’s Latest S-Line Super-Telephoto Lens Goes the Distance with Breathtaking Image Quality and a Built-in 1.4x Teleconverter
MELVILLE, NY (January 18, 2022) –Today, Nikon announced the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, a high performance super-telephoto prime lens for the Nikon Z system. This fast S-Line lens arrives just in time to complement the unstoppable potential of the Nikon Z 9, and opens creative possibilities for professionals photographing sports and wildlife where there is no room for compromise on extreme reach and incredible sharpness.
“Nikon’s engineers continue to bring new and exciting advancements to image creators and working professionals. Immediately following the extraordinary response to the Z 9, the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens features the latest technologies resulting from our expertise in optical engineering,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The customers for this lens often find themselves in situations where there is no second chance to get a shot; this lens takes full advantage of new technologies made possible by the Z mount and gives professional shooters an edge to capture the decisive moment with remarkable image quality, under any kind of light.”
The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S has unprecedented rendering capabilities, combined with a myriad of new optical technologies that enhance the image quality and performance. This lens features a constant f/2.8 aperture that provides stellar low-light capabilities as well as beautiful bokeh and subject isolation from the background. For extended reach, this is the first NIKKOR Z lens to utilize a built in 1.4x teleconverter to instantly increase the focal length to 560mm. This feature allows photographers to seamlessly adjust as an athlete moves downfield, or to capture environmental and close-up shots of nature without changing lenses or positions.
The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S is the lightest lens of its type, engineered with superb balance, intuitive controls and weather sealing suitable for professional use. This lens is also the first to employ Nikon’s newly developed optical technologies such as a Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (SSVCM), enabling high-speed, high accuracy AF with near-silent operation. This new S-Line lens also features Nikon’s new Meso Amorphous Coat, which offers the highest anti-reflection capabilities in NIKKOR history.
Primary features of the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S:
- A built-in 1.4x teleconverter enables a seamless and rapid switch from a 400mm to a 560mm focal length, using a switch conveniently located close to the camera operator’s right hand. The increase in focal length can be made without changing posture to avoid disturbing wildlife, while minimizing the intrusion of dust often associated with conventional teleconverter assembly. For even more reach, the lens also accepts Z TELECONVERTERS TC-1.4x and TC-2x for a maximum reach of 784mm and 1120mm, respectively.
- The lightest lens of its type with a built in teleconverter, weighing in at approximately 6.5lbs (2950 g), which is nearly two pounds lighter (approx. 20% less) than the NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8FL ED VR. The use of Fluorite elements also contribute to its reduced weight.
- The newly developed Meso Amorphous Coat offers the best anti-reflection performance in NIKKOR lens history. Regardless of the directions of incident light, this advanced new coating offers an anti-reflection effect that’s superior to that of Nano Crystal Coat, greatly suppressing ghosting and flaring caused by incident light from various directions.
- The new SSVCM enables fast, highly accurate, quiet AF control, and is optimized to move large elements with the utmost precision. The SSVCM works in conjunction with a new guide mechanism that enables the elements to move smoothly, further increasing accuracy.
- The lens construction consists of 25 elements in 19 groups; two ED glass elements, a super-ED glass element, two lightweight fluorite lens elements and an SR lens element are incorporated in the optical formula, helping to compensate for aberrations effectively, including chromatic aberration.
- Built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) provides up to 5.5 stops of compensation, even when the built-in teleconverter is in use. Synchro VR is available when paired with the Nikon Z 9.
- Designed with a rugged magnesium alloy body and robust weather sealing on various portions including movable parts of the lens barrel and a rubber gasket around the lens mount, ensuring superior dust- and drip-resistant performance. Additionally, a fluorine coat with antifouling performance is applied to the surface of the front element, repelling water droplets and dust.
- Offers multiple customizable function buttons, including a control ring and a new Fn Ring that can recall a focus position quickly with the Memory Recall function.
Pricing and Availability
The NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens will be available in late February 2022 for a suggested retail price (SRP) $13,999.95*. For more information about the latest Nikon products, including other NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire collection of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.
I have made the switch to mirrorless and have a Z7 ii and a Z9. I have never owned a true super telephoto F mount. I do have the 500 mm PF mounted on the Z9. (On the D850 before I switched). I have been waiting for an S lens to address my key issue with the 500 PF, the low light limitation of a f/5.6 lens. The F mount primes are just too heavy for me to hike with here in the Pacific Northwest where everything is uphill. The zooms have the same low light limitations. These lenses are all so good that sharpness is mostly the result of technique and support so I am not very concerned with parsing every detail of the MTF charts. This is the only lens choice that lets me have f/4 at 560 mm, f/2.8 at 400mm without changing out lens or TC. (not sure about stacking another TC to get f/5.6 at 780 mm. That sounds like a pipe dream) Nasim after reading the Photography Life reviews, I added the TC1.4 S to the 70-200 mm S. 98 to 280 mm at F/4 with very good image quality. Thanks for that review. I am waiting patiently (NOT) for this lens to arrive. Hoping NPS priority comes through soon.
Think of it this way. Exceptional optics, $9000 for a 400 mm f2.8 and $5000 for a 600- mm F4. Although still expensive, pretty cheap for that combo. Who wouldn’t buy either one of those given you have the money. Plus you don’t have to change the lens to get both options. Just flip an easy to flip switch.
I am a 400mm F2.8G Lens user and I don’t see how there is better value for money available from a lens to day.
A sale of the G Lens will most like require a additional £9000+GBP to acquire the Z lens, and then the Camera Body to attach it to, so at present approx’ £15 000 GBP will get myself to the place where my present set up is superseded.
I am totally amazed by this new offering, the New Z 400 f2.8, the lens is from my viewpoint quite an exciting model, it is substantial as a Lens and a very welcome portent of the further lenses to come to the market.
The standouts for myself are the weight, it is 35% reduced to the G Model and 25% reduced to the E Model.
The optimised positioning for the built in TC, will offer further reassurances for the sharpest captures, the mechanics attached to this built in ancillary, should be very precise their function throughout continued usage for many years to come
The SSVCM and Built in TC, is looking likely to be the standard, that will be a technology that will trickle down to the higher end lenses within the Z range.
I have seen very encouraging information of how the Z range of lenses released prior to the 400mm Z Lens are able to compare to the professional F Mount lenses.
I am suspecting when the Z range of lenses are compared to the 400mm Z Model, the Professional Lens will show its forte in abundance, and clearly set itself apart.
Nikon now have their Two Flagships offered to their customers, the Z9 Body and the Z 400mm F2.8, the route to these is quite a substantial outlay and not too many will get to enjoy the usage of these as a New Purchase for the next few years at least.
What really excites, is the knowledge that trickle down of these two models tech’, to produce models with a version of the Flagship Model tech’, are already on a Marketing Model, and the entry point to experience a version of this technology is not too far away, and most likely acquirable at a much more realizable purchase price.
Many Moons past, when I would choose speakers as an audiophile, I would read with sanguine, specs like .005 total harmony sound distortion. But come to find, all I needed to do was stop reading specs and listen carefully, nothing more. Of course, the room design is key and electronics…somewhat. Surprisingly, name brand and price didn’t always win.
Fast forward today with photography, I find myself “listening with my eyes”. I respect the work that goes into optic analysis and it does provide a component for decision making. I’ve also come to realize that the audio “.005 total harmonic distortion” also applies to the way I shoot. And, is really good, good enough? Performance, weight and cost has also proven to have real value.
Hence, I’m also in the PF lens group for future lenses for my D850. With that said, my 70-200mm 1:4 G ED is exquisitely sharp, weight is good and price is spot on. Even my 50mm f/1.8 works wonders. Can both be challenged and surpassed in lab measurements…yes. But can I actually see the difference in prints? Hardly. Rather, practicing the art of photography has proven more value in outcome. And really good, has also proven to be good enough.
And one more thing: digital music streaming sounds wonderful. As “warm” as an LP? No…but really good!
This lens is amazing, especially with the built in teleconverter. But it’s not sharper than my 500mm f/4E VR FL. It is slightly lighter but not enough to make me switch. I was always a 400mm f/2.8 type of shooter. I had the 400mm f/2.8D AF-S & AF-S II, VR and even the latest 400mm FL. Since I’m a photojournalist I need the best low light camera and lenses I can get. But I have the 300mm f/2.8G VR II for when I need that. Plus the 500mm f/4E VR FL paired with its excellent VR and the D5 or D6 and you can pretty much handle any low light situations! This new 400mm f/2.8 S seems like it might be slightly less sharp than the 500mm f/4E VR FL that I have now. Which is not good or bad, I’m sure the real life examples it would be impossible to tell. MTF charts are certainly comparable but I’d still say the 800mm FL and 500mm FL are still the sharpest Nikon lenses ever made, if only by a hair. All of these lenses are so sharp that I wouldn’t worry about any small differences, I’m just not impressed by this new lens’ MTF chart. It’s amazing, don’t get me wrong. I just expected those MTF lines to be a bit more perfect. The only things that I don’t like about the new lens is the design and prices of accessories. I think they made this lens look ugly by shedding weight. The barrel is shaved down around the glass elements inside. It’s much more chopped up looking than the previous beautiful FL super-tele lenses. But this how Nikon was able to shave the weight so it’s not surprising. Overall I’m very impressed with the 400mm f/2.8 S for Z9 or especially when paired with the Z9. I’m sure one day I’ll own both, but for now I’m happy with my D850, D5 and D6 setup.
This is an incredible lens and if I had the money I’d get one for sure. But it’s way out of my price range. To be able to afford this, I’d have to make serious money from photography for sure. I hope that the 800PF will be less expensive than this, which I really want for birding.
All that’s said, 3kg is still a bit heavy for carrying around all day to be honest. I had the 200-500 and sold it because it was heavy, and got 500PF which is much more easier to carry on a hike. This is even heavier than 200-500, still. Maybe the next generation exotic primes will be closer to 2kg than 3kg.
The 400 f/2.8 is more of a stationary lens for most people, or at least carry around in a good bag for a lot of the time instead of having it hanging around your neck like you can do with the 500PF. The 800PF will hopefully be less expensive. A 400 f/4 PF might be a good compromise since the Canon f/4 DO II weights 2.1kg. For most applications the 500PF does fairly well but I can definitely feel it straining itself in lower light, whereas a lens like this 400 f/2.8 would shine.
Surely a 400 2.8 is better in low light but those huge lenses are mainly better for background separation these days rather than for low light. As long as I can get a decent focus on the subject and it’s filling the frame, even 6400 ISO gives great images with 500 PF and Z7. There’s way too much resolution and even if you lose some after noise reduction, what’s left is still very very good.
But you simply cannot get the blurry background you get with a 400 2.8 using 500PF unless you get an optimal situation where there’s nothing behind the subject for a long distance. In that case I think the image you get using a 500PF and 400 2.8 will be very very similar.
Also about the weight, remember that the oldest 400 2.8’s used to weigh close to 7kg’s, now it’s under 3kg’s. I’m sure the next generations will be close to 2kg and then they will be similar to 500PF in terms of carrying on your neck all day.
Not to be overlooked is a description I have very recently read and have no concerns about sharing.
With this lens there is a Very Lightweight Model in comparison to the earlier versions, there is also a evidence showing the Lens is improved in the centre frame sharpness and has a minimum loss in the edge sharpness, which should in no way be a deal breaker for a Super Zoom Telephoto Lens user..
What is predicted is that the Lens will compare very favourably to the 500mm F4E when in a TC engaged 560mm focal length and in this set up it will most likely fair very well to the 600mm F4E.
The above two lens are carrying a 3.09Kg and 3.81Kg of bulk so the 400mm Z pips them both in a more favourable weight.
The 400mm Z at £13000GBP will be a single lens to compete with Two Lens with values of £10 000GBP and £12 000GBP, so it starts to look attractive from this as a perspective.
Taking the attraction one stage further, disengage the TC, and attach a 2X TC as an add on ancillary at approx’ £600.00GBP and the 400 Z is offering a 800mm F5.6, that will most likely be a quite attractive proposition, when compared to the 800mm F5.6E carrying a 4.6Kg and a price tag of £18 000GBP.
The £13 000GBP + £600 is most very likely able to offer a lens that is capable of being unsurpassable at the supplied focal length, and additionally prove to be a exceptionally close competitor to a combination of lenses with gross value of £40 000 GBP.
That is food for thought, that maybe even Nikon has not pondered, well for now the ‘Cat is out of the Bag’.
The 400mm f/2.8 S lens is less sharp than the 500mm f/4E VR FL when both lenses are bare, or no teleconverter is involved. If you look at the MTF charts the 500mm f/4E VR FL is sharper than the new 400mm S lens. So how would the 400mm f/2.8 S with teleconverter engaged match the 500mm FL? The bare 400mm lens is not as sharp as the bare 500mm FL. Look at the two MTF charts. The 500mm FL is better.
The report I was commenting on makes it known that the prediction for the versatility of the 400mm Z Lens will be for when a Z9 Body is included as part of the overall equipment.
Until these two Items are coupled and put through a host of trials, all is speculation, but more than worthy of a few moments of pondering.
Actually, at 400mm the 400mm 2.8E is “slightly” sharper, though I am splitting hairs. I do think that the TC is the true achievement as only Nikon has this. The weight makes the handholdable, as I already consider my 400 2.8E on my D850 w/grip handholdable. But it is not materially different from the Sony and Canon versions.
The new autofocus motor is very interesting. My 400 2.8E focusses instantaneously so I have to wonder how it can be improved upon. But we will see.
In Canada, the new 400 is $18,000 CDN and I figure I could get $10k for it. So is an extra $8k worth the benefits. Probably not for me.
When I buy my Z9 I will buy 6 FTZii. I will permanently attach them to my 8-15 FE, 24-70 2.8E, 70-200 2.8E, 28 1.4E, 105 1.4E and 400 2.8. I have all three TCs, so I will figure out which FTZii works best with the TCs and that will be the one that gets attached to the 400 2.8E.
The bottom line is that every lens I have that is a G or E is better on a Z9 plus FTZii than it was on my D850. I don’t think that anybody should be concerned about using this lens with the FTZ.
Jeff, it is only slightly sharper in the mid-frame – the center is about the same on both if you look at the two MTF charts side-by-side. The weight is about the same as the Canon and Sony, true, but those don’t have teleconverters, which is what makes this one so special.
Looks like you have a nice stable of F-mount lenses. For most people transitioning to the Z-mount, the FTZ + F-mount lenses is the most economical way to go for sure…
“The weight is about the same as the Canon and Sony, true, but those don’t have teleconverters, which is what makes this one so special.”
A teleconverter does not weigh THAT much in this instance.
That’s at least 200 grams added on top of it, plus another thing to mount between the lens and the camera, plus an additional mount point. Teleconverters introduce a number of different issues aside from mere weight…
Is the hood confirmed to be carbon fiber? Being solid black, it looks quite different than the f-mount tele hoods.
Tim, given that Nikon is selling the HK-42 separately for $1071, I would be shocked if it was a basic plastic hood. It has to be carbon fiber at that price…
This press release declared a lens that is not even out yet as the best telephoto prime lens ever for any mirrorless system, that is really bold. Wait, it wasn’t the press release…
Gary, if you disagree on any of the above, please provide your points and we can discuss. I provided my arguments in the article, with the key point being that no other lens on the market is this light while having a built-in TC…
Well said.
As a wildlife photographer preparing to transition to the Z system I think this is the first time I would consider a 400 f/2.8 due to its weight and built in TC. Nikon seems to have the most innovative long lens selection so far, especially if you consider the upcoming PF lenses. I wonder if the 600 f/4 will also have a built in TC?
Jason, agreed. I am waiting for the PF lenses myself, as those will be pretty incredible, while offering an extremely light and versatile package. I think all super telephotos going forward are going to have TC integrated. It makes sense, because each TC can be optimized for the lens optics…
according to the lens roadmap at least a 400mm PF (f4.0?) can be expected … the 600mm looks like a regular