Nikon Unveils New Z-mount 400mm f/2.8 with 1.4x TC
Nikon has an extensive armoury of long lenses for any photographer to choose from. And it keeps growing, as Nikon announces the Nikkor Z 400mm F/2.8 TC VR S – Nikon’s newest telephoto lens for the mirrorless Z mount.
This is Nikon’s first pro telephoto lens designed from scratch for mirrorless, offering several enhancements compared to its AF-S equivalent.
The Nikkor Z 400mm F/2.8 prime lens uses a Z mount, and weighs in at 2950 grams. It has a minimum aperture of F/32 and a maximum aperture of F/2.8, with a maximum magnification of 0.23x.
The lens is constructed with 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.
The lens also hosts a built-in teleconverter that extends the focal length by 1.4x. This allows for a lens that covers two focal lengths – 400mm and 560mm. And this is easily accessible with the flick of a switch, allowing for smooth changing of the focal length without changing your shooting posture.
The in-lens Vibration Reduction gives you a 5.5 stop advantage.
According to Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President of Nikon Inc., the Nikkor Z 400mm F/2.8 “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 lens also adopts the newly developed Silky Swift VCM which promises to deliver fast, highly accurate and quiet autofocus control. The voice coil motor (VCM) is driven using a powerful magnetic field. So powerful that the lens comes with warnings against use of the product by anyone with a pacemaker or other medical devices!
Featuring a newly developed coating – Meso Amorphous Coat – this lens also boasts the highest anti-reflection performance in Nikkor history, according to Nikon, resulting in ultra-clear pictures.
With the adoption of a fluorite lens element and magnesium alloy, the lens features a lightweight body too.
This newest lens in Nikon’s arsenal arrives just in time to complement their Z9, a full frame mirrorless camera for which the Nikon Z mount is adopted. Pricing in at £13.499.00/$13,996.95, this lens is available to pre-order, with shipping expected to start from February
