Nikon has announced the 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S for full-frame mirrorless Z-mount cameras. This company describes this $14,000 lens as a high-performance super-telephoto prime that is designed to work seamlessly with the new Nikon Z9.
Leveraging the new technology launched in the Z mount and Z9 flagship camera, the company says the new super-telephoto prime lens is aimed at professional photographers who demand expert optical engineering and find themselves in situations where there is no second chance to get a shot.
The Nikon 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens Design
The fast f/2.8 lens is constructed of 25 elements in 19 groups and features two extra-low dispersion (ED) elements, one super extra-low dispersion (Super-ED) element, two lightweight fluorite lens elements, and a single short-wavelength refractive (SR) lens element. Nikon says the new weather-sealed lens has a bevy of new and unprecedented rendering capabilities and optical technology for users including the low-light f/2.8 aperture, smooth and beautiful bokeh for subject isolation from the background, and “the first of its kind” built-in 1.4x teleconverter (TC) allowing users to instantly jump from 400mm to 560mm and back again should the need arise.
Nikon says this feature will let action photographers keep track of subjects as they move closer and farther from the camera without having to change lenses or positions. Additionally, the lens features what Nikon calls the “Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor1” (SSVCM) that it says enables high-speed, high accuracy autofocus with incredibly quiet operation as well as the new Meso Amorphous Coat, which it says offers the highest anti-reflection capabilities in Nikkor lens history.
The 400mm f/2.8 has a maximum angle of view of 6°10′ without the built-in teleconverter and 4°30′ with the built-in teleconverter, a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.17x at 400mm and 0.23x at 560mm (with the TC enabled), and has a 46mm “slip in” filter size. The lens has a nine-bladed rounded aperture diaphragm that has an aperture range of f/2.8 (f/4 with the TC) to f/22 (f/32 with the TC). Lastly, the new super-telephoto lens has a minimum focus distance of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet).
The lens weighs just 6.5 pounds (2950 grams), making it nearly two pounds lighter than the AF-S 400mm f/2.8 FL ED VR, has 5.5 stops of built-in vibration reduction (VR) that will pair with the Synchro VR when connected to the Nikon Z9 system, and the lens will also accommodate the existing Z Teleconverters like the TC-1.4x and TC-2x for a maximum reach of 784mm and 1120mm, respectively. Lastly, the new 400mm lens 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.
The Nikon 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S in Action
Below are a set of sample images captured with the lens, provided courtesy of Nikon. Click to view in full resolution.
Pricing and Availability
The Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens will be available in late February 2022 for $14,000.
Author: David Crewe
Source: Petapixel
