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Additonal Coverage on Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens

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Here is our additional coverage on Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens ($13,999.95 at AmazonB&HAdorama).  You can find user manual, hands-on videos, comparison details about the lens.

This fast S-Line lens arrives just in time to complement the unstoppable potential of the Nikon Z9, and opens creative possibilities for professionals photographing sports and wildlife where there is no room for compromise on extreme reach and incredible sharpness.

The reference manual for the new Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S mirrorless lens is already available online (direct link to PDF file).

By the way major accessories for the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens are very expensive.

First Review of Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens

From Camera Labs verdict :

Nikon’s Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S is an excellent super-telephoto with one extremely compelling feature over rival systems: It has a built-in 1.4x teleconverter which changes it into a 560mm f4.0 lens at the flick of a switch. This makes the lens much more versatile and makes it a unique “two-for-the-price/weight-of-one” lens for sports and wild-life photography. The lens also produces very sharp images with virtually no field-curvature or colour aberrations and can confidently be used wide open and with the built-in 1.4x teleconverter or Nikon’s Z TC-2.0x. Its Bokeh is very nice and the optical image stabilization of over 5 stops proves really helpful with the challenges of hand-holding a 400mm lens. This is also helped by shaving almost 1 kg off the weight of its predecessor, the AF-S 400mm f2.8E FL ED VR. All this makes the Z 400mm f2.8 TC VR S rightfully earn a Highly Recommended – despite its high price.

Good points:

  • Excellent resolution and contrast across the full frame at 400mm focal length.
  • Built in 1.4x teleconverter.
  • Very good image quality with built-in 1.4x teleconverter or Z TC-2.0x.
  • Very effective optical image stabilization.
  • Very good close-up performance.
  • Practically no longitudinal colour aberrations or purple fringing.
  • Only little vignetting and no distortions – through lens-profile.
  • Very little field-curvature.
  • Reliable AF operation.
  • Very nice Bokeh, although with the risk of double contours.
  • Weather sealing, multi function ring, function buttons, focus limiter.
  • Nice lens pouch – finally!

Bad points:

  • Relatively strong focus breathing.
  • Tripod foot is not Arca Swiss compatible
  • High price.

NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs. NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Specifications Comparison

NIKKOR AF-S 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR vs. NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lenses specifications comparison based on Nikon’s website.

NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S
Price
$11,196.95 $13,996.95
Format
FX FX
Focal length
400mm Without built-in teleconverter: 400 mm With built-in teleconverter: 560 mm
Maximum aperture
f/2.8 Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 2.8 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 4
Minimum aperture
f/22 Without built-in teleconverter: f/ 22 With built-in teleconverter: f/ 32
Lens construction
16elements in, 12groups, (including 2 ED lens elements, 2 fluorite elements, and lens elements with Nano-Crystal coatings) and 1 protective glass element (with fluorine coat) 25 elements in 19 groups (including 7 elements in 4 groups in the built-in teleconverter, 2 ED elements, 2 fluorite elements, 1 super-ED element, 1 SR element, elements with meso-amorphous and ARNEO coats, and a fluorine-coated front lens element)
Angle of view
Nikon FX-format D-SLR cameras: 6° 10′, Nikon DX-format D-SLR cameras: 4° FX-format, without built-in teleconverter: 6° 10‘ FX-format, with built-in teleconverter: 4° 30‘ DX-format, without built-in teleconverter: 4° DX-format, with built-in teleconverter: 2° 50‘
Minimum focus distance
2.6m (8.5ft) 2.5 m (8.21 ft)
VR image stabilization
Yes Yes
No. of diaphragm blades
9 (rounded) 9 (rounded)
Coating
Nano Crystal Coat Fluorine coat, ARNEO coat, Meso-amorphous
Dimensions
159.5 mm x 358 mm 156 mm x 380 mm
Weight
Approx. 3800 g Approx. 2950 g
Internal focusing
Yes Yes
Focus mode
Manual, Manual/Auto, Auto/Manual
G-type
Yes
Mount
F-mount Z-mount
Focusing system
Internal focusing system
Maximum reproduction ratio
0.17 x
Vibration reduction
Lens shift using voice coil motors (VCMs)
Aperture range
Without built-in teleconverter: f/2.8 to 22 With built-in teleconverter: f/4 to 32
Focus limit switch
Two positions: FULL (∞ to 2.5 m) and ∞ to 6 m
Supplied accessories
LC-K105 Lens Cap (front cap), LF-N1 Lens Cap (rear cap), HK-42 Lens Hood, LN-3 Strap, CL-L3 Lens Case

First Videos of Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens

Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens: $13,999.95 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Nikon Z9 body: $5,496.95 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens: $2,696.95 at B&HAdorama.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens: $1,096.95 at B&HAdorama.

Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter: $246.95 at B&HAdorama.