No, it’s not possible to use any Nikon Z lens on a DSLR like the D850. It’s only compatible with Nikon’s mirrorless cameras.
Patrick
February 16, 2025 5:52 am
I was never 100% happy with the z24-200 which I bought for a Greek island holiday…so it went when I decided to buy the z28-400 which, for, me is much better in its longer focal range, weight for travel, and generally pretty good IQ. I’ve always enjoyed the z70-200 and I’ve also got the z180-600. Now I’m uncertain which use on an island puffin shoot over 3 days. Probably, as it’s back packing and walking, the z70-200 as I’d imagine getting sharper images from the first…puffins are generally quite near, so 600mm probably both heavy and superfluous. Thanks for the review. It confirms my own view.
Steve
January 6, 2025 10:49 pm
I’d be curious to see how this lens compares to the new Tamron 50 -400
I haven’t reviewed the 50-400mm yet, but I have tested it in the lab and posted the results on our Member Page. I’m still finishing the full review, but it will be the next review we publish!
I reckon that the Z50II with the 14-30 and this lens would make a pretty formidable combination for the older photographer. I’m not quite there yet (!) but I could imagine ending up with that. Decent wide angle, no ‘gap’ or duplicated focal length, and very long reach, without being too heavy, even with a travel tripod.
Yes, but even better, go for the 12-28mm DX! Smaller, less expensive, wider, and quite good optically. I took my favorite photo this year with the 12-28mm DX and the Nikon Z30 :)
In our lab tests, you can see how any FX lens would perform on DX by dividing the numbers by 1.5 and only looking at the center and midframe values (which correspond to center and corner regions on DX).
skyrunr
December 12, 2024 7:38 pm
From the comments here, the question that remains is which lens performs best at 300mm+ equivalent, handheld, on a DX body, in most conditions. I’m glad the article mentioned the P1000, imagine that with Expeed7 and a few more mp’s for cropping.
With a focus on value, weight, size, and how they perform without VR (70-300) or IBIS (DX bodies.) Then adding the 50-250DXVR to the mix. I also already own the 70-180f2.8, 1.4TCz, and 24-120F4S. I really liked going from the 70-300E-VR lens to the 50-250DXVR. Even though the f-mounts generally have nicer bokeh (IMO.)
Elle
November 16, 2024 1:33 pm
I bought this lens recently in large part because of this review and took in a trip to Washington DC/Virginia to photograph some NA birds. On previous trips I only took binoculars and left my camera at home, mostly because of weight. I have to say this has been a complete game changer for me! I used to have a D500, but have switched to a Nikon zfc, mostly for the weight. I can’t believe how much focal lens I can get for so little weight! It’s not my favourite lens in terms of the images it produces, but I actually take this one on trips so a compromised image is much better than no image!
It’s made me re fall in love with digital photography, I had switched almost entirely to film, but now I’m back. (And side note, having exposure preview in the viewfinder is also amazing for photographing birds against the sky, especially when they’re in trees)
Thanks a lot for the incredibly comprehensive review!
Rob Featonby
October 12, 2024 5:22 pm
I have the z24-200 which interestingly in your comparisons was very evenly matched with more highly regarded lenses . I also have the z trinity and 500pf to compare to . The z24-200 is pretty close to the z70-200 in the centre but loses out at the edges . It is slower aperture . It is cheaper and lighter than the pro lenses though . . The new z lens are excellent and all of them are more than adequate for social media , your size of 16×24 “ for printing is probably bigger than 90% of users will print . At 8×12 they will all look good even cropped . For travel the 24-200 and now this 28-400 are such good choices . Especially paired with a 14-30 . Too many people get caught up on specs and gear snobbery rather than if a tool is adequate for the task . If photography is not the main or only focus for travel these versatile zooms are ideal . They are also very good for casual users . My 14-30 and 24-200 stay in my car in an z 7 all the time for shooting on the go in daily life . It wasn’t long ago that the f mount 24-120 was the kit lens supplied on a d850 and people were happy . That lens would struggle against the basic offerings now that people look down their noses at .
Raymond MEISTER
July 9, 2024 8:10 am
I currently own the Z8 + Z24-120 S. I am very happy about it. I would like to complete my equipment with a zoom TV. I like the Z100-400 S very much. I tried it and I get the quality of my 24-120. It would also be an excellent complement. My hesitation comes from the weight and the clutter especially for travel. I’m afraid I won’t take it often. I do reportage photography, landscape photography and sometimes animal photography and a bit of sport. I recently tried the new Z28-400. It is practical and versatile but does not have the quality of 24-120 and 100-400. Especially from 165 where it opens only at f8. In addition it is a bit redundant with my 24-120, which can become in DX a 36-180. I am rather an amateur photographer a little experienced. Thanks for your advice.
One option that splits the two would be to get the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3. Although it doesn’t reach 400mm, it reaches 300mm with good image quality, and that’s enough for a lot of photographers. It’s also relatively lightweight, much smaller than the 100-400mm.
But those really are the three options at the moment for what you’re after. The 28-400mm, the 100-400mm, and the Tamron.
Merci Spencer pour votre avis pertinent. Je prendrai la décision après réflexion en fonction de l’usage que je compte en faire. Soit privilégier la portabilité et la commodité de ne pas changer d’objectif au cours de la journée si la luminosité le permet en particulier pour les voyages ou alors privilégier une utilisation plus qualitative et ciblée : paysage, animalier , sport entre autres, et accepter le surplus de poids et d’encombrement. Et utiliser mon 24-120 au quotidien. Cela me motiverait aussi de progresser en photographie. Dans ce cas mon choix se portera sur le Z100-400 qui est unanimement reconnu pour sa qualité. J’attends la prochaine promotion de Nikon pour cet achat. Je vous tiendrai au courant le moment venu. Raymond
The Zoom creep on the 70-300 is horrendous. 100 steps and it’s fully extended.
CVancouver
June 27, 2024 4:41 pm
I recently returned from Africa. I used my Nikon AF 70-300MM lens on my Nikon Z50. It worked great for the most part, but missed a few shots while manually focussing. I’ve been looking for zoom lens and this seems like the perfect lens, as I don’t always have the space to carry more than a standard and zoom lens.
Still struggle after buying the lens based on the first posted review of this site, with my z9. I do not have other full frame sold my z7. Trying on my zfc is hard as the 400mm is hard to focus and the viewfinder you do not know whether you are in focus. Hence the struggle to bring this and z9 to my upcoming trip to Malta. Plus a 360 for wild angle. Just a little heavy.
Sure, combined with the Z9, it’s definitely on the heavy side. A lot of that is the Z9’s fault, but not all of it – the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 is meaningfully lighter and smaller than this lens side-by-side.
Will the new Z 28-400 work well with my D850?
No, it’s not possible to use any Nikon Z lens on a DSLR like the D850. It’s only compatible with Nikon’s mirrorless cameras.
I was never 100% happy with the z24-200 which I bought for a Greek island holiday…so it went when I decided to buy the z28-400 which, for, me is much better in its longer focal range, weight for travel, and generally pretty good IQ. I’ve always enjoyed the z70-200 and I’ve also got the z180-600. Now I’m uncertain which use on an island puffin shoot over 3 days. Probably, as it’s back packing and walking, the z70-200 as I’d imagine getting sharper images from the first…puffins are generally quite near, so 600mm probably both heavy and superfluous. Thanks for the review. It confirms my own view.
I’d be curious to see how this lens compares to the new Tamron 50 -400
We can’t find the MTF of 50-400. It’s hard to compare the two lens.
I haven’t reviewed the 50-400mm yet, but I have tested it in the lab and posted the results on our Member Page. I’m still finishing the full review, but it will be the next review we publish!
Thanks. 6.3 at 400mm is more attractive to me.
Me too! Does anyone make that lens?
I reckon that the Z50II with the 14-30 and this lens would make a pretty formidable combination for the older photographer. I’m not quite there yet (!) but I could imagine ending up with that. Decent wide angle, no ‘gap’ or duplicated focal length, and very long reach, without being too heavy, even with a travel tripod.
Yes, but even better, go for the 12-28mm DX! Smaller, less expensive, wider, and quite good optically. I took my favorite photo this year with the 12-28mm DX and the Nikon Z30 :)
Hi Spencer,
12-28 plus 28-400 sounds like a great combination!
Have you done any MTF50 measurements for the 28-400 on a Z50II, or on any of the other Nikon Dx bodies?
Is it possible to compare the sharpness scores of your published DX and FX without doing a conversion?
In our lab tests, you can see how any FX lens would perform on DX by dividing the numbers by 1.5 and only looking at the center and midframe values (which correspond to center and corner regions on DX).
From the comments here, the question that remains is which lens performs best at 300mm+ equivalent, handheld, on a DX body, in most conditions. I’m glad the article mentioned the P1000, imagine that with Expeed7 and a few more mp’s for cropping.
With a focus on value, weight, size, and how they perform without VR (70-300) or IBIS (DX bodies.) Then adding the 50-250DXVR to the mix. I also already own the 70-180f2.8, 1.4TCz, and 24-120F4S. I really liked going from the 70-300E-VR lens to the 50-250DXVR. Even though the f-mounts generally have nicer bokeh (IMO.)
I bought this lens recently in large part because of this review and took in a trip to Washington DC/Virginia to photograph some NA birds. On previous trips I only took binoculars and left my camera at home, mostly because of weight. I have to say this has been a complete game changer for me! I used to have a D500, but have switched to a Nikon zfc, mostly for the weight. I can’t believe how much focal lens I can get for so little weight!
It’s not my favourite lens in terms of the images it produces, but I actually take this one on trips so a compromised image is much better than no image!
It’s made me re fall in love with digital photography, I had switched almost entirely to film, but now I’m back. (And side note, having exposure preview in the viewfinder is also amazing for photographing birds against the sky, especially when they’re in trees)
Thanks a lot for the incredibly comprehensive review!
I have the z24-200 which interestingly in your comparisons was very evenly matched with more highly regarded lenses . I also have the z trinity and 500pf to compare to . The z24-200 is pretty close to the z70-200 in the centre but loses out at the edges . It is slower aperture . It is cheaper and lighter than the pro lenses though . . The new z lens are excellent and all of them are more than adequate for social media , your size of 16×24 “ for printing is probably bigger than 90% of users will print . At 8×12 they will all look good even cropped . For travel the 24-200 and now this 28-400 are such good choices . Especially paired with a 14-30 . Too many people get caught up on specs and gear snobbery rather than if a tool is adequate for the task . If photography is not the main or only focus for travel these versatile zooms are ideal . They are also very good for casual users . My 14-30 and 24-200 stay in my car in an z 7 all the time for shooting on the go in daily life .
It wasn’t long ago that the f mount 24-120 was the kit lens supplied on a d850 and people were happy . That lens would struggle against the basic offerings now that people look down their noses at .
I currently own the Z8 + Z24-120 S. I am very happy about it. I would like to complete my equipment with a zoom TV. I like the Z100-400 S very much. I tried it and I get the quality of my 24-120. It would also be an excellent complement. My hesitation comes from the weight and the clutter especially for travel. I’m afraid I won’t take it often. I do reportage photography, landscape photography and sometimes animal photography and a bit of sport. I recently tried the new Z28-400. It is practical and versatile but does not have the quality of 24-120 and 100-400. Especially from 165 where it opens only at f8. In addition it is a bit redundant with my 24-120, which can become in DX a 36-180. I am rather an amateur photographer a little experienced.
Thanks for your advice.
One option that splits the two would be to get the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3. Although it doesn’t reach 400mm, it reaches 300mm with good image quality, and that’s enough for a lot of photographers. It’s also relatively lightweight, much smaller than the 100-400mm.
But those really are the three options at the moment for what you’re after. The 28-400mm, the 100-400mm, and the Tamron.
Merci Spencer pour votre avis pertinent.
Je prendrai la décision après réflexion en fonction de l’usage que je compte en faire. Soit privilégier la portabilité et la commodité de ne pas changer d’objectif au cours de la journée si la luminosité le permet en particulier pour les voyages ou alors privilégier une utilisation plus qualitative et ciblée : paysage,
animalier , sport entre autres, et accepter le surplus de poids et d’encombrement.
Et utiliser mon 24-120 au quotidien.
Cela me motiverait aussi de progresser en photographie. Dans ce cas mon choix se portera sur le Z100-400 qui est unanimement reconnu pour sa qualité.
J’attends la prochaine promotion de Nikon pour cet achat. Je vous tiendrai au courant le moment venu.
Raymond
The Zoom creep on the 70-300 is horrendous. 100 steps and it’s fully extended.
I recently returned from Africa. I used my Nikon AF 70-300MM lens on my Nikon Z50. It worked great for the most part, but missed a few shots while manually focussing. I’ve been looking for zoom lens and this seems like the perfect lens, as I don’t always have the space to carry more than a standard and zoom lens.
Nice, I hope you enjoy it!
Still struggle after buying the lens based on the first posted review of this site, with my z9. I do not have other full frame sold my z7. Trying on my zfc is hard as the 400mm is hard to focus and the viewfinder you do not know whether you are in focus. Hence the struggle to bring this and z9 to my upcoming trip to Malta. Plus a 360 for wild angle. Just a little heavy.
Sure, combined with the Z9, it’s definitely on the heavy side. A lot of that is the Z9’s fault, but not all of it – the 24-200mm f/4-6.3 is meaningfully lighter and smaller than this lens side-by-side.