Nikon Launches Z-Mount 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 and 24-120mm f/4 Lenses

Oct 28, 2021

Nikon has announced two new zoom lenses for its Z-mount mirrorless system: the Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and the Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S. The company also launched a second-generation FTZ adapter.

The two new zoom lenses are the latest additions to the S-Line of lenses from Nikon that are designed to give reach to its system and provide creators with a way to get closer to the action. The new FTZ II adapter has been designed to adapt F-mount lenses onto the new Nikon Z9.

Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

The new Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S telephoto zoom lens is designed with sports and wildlife photographers in mind. Featuring a combination of a wide focal range and wide apertures, the lens will be suitable for professionals and hobbyists alike. The company promises incredible sharpness and clarity with minimal aberration and color fringing even at the maximum aperture throughout the entire zoom range.

According to the company, this new lens is the lightest in its class and weighs just 1,255 grams (2.98 pounds), which Nikon says makes it easy to shoot handheld without the assistance of a tripod or a monopod. The lens is built with a small 80-degree rotation angle and a new “inner balance technology” that will help minimize the weight shift caused by zooming. This new rotation angle is the shortest in its class, allowing shooters to rotate from the wide-angle to telephoto in just a single motion. The system will also help reduce the amount of focus breathing that occurs during a zoom while the 5.5 stop optical VR will help reduce any shake for smooth video and crisp stills.

Nikon states that the axial chromatic aberration has been significantly reduced by the adoption of Super ED glass and ED glass elements that allow for clear images across the entire frame from maximum aperture. The company has adopted both the original Nano Crystal Coat as well as the ARNEO Coat to reduce ghost and flare effects, even with backlit situations.

According to the technical specifications, this new zoom lens can be extended to 560mm and 800mm through the use of supported teleconverters and provides the highest maximum reproduction ratio of 0.38x (at the maximum telephoto position) in its class. This allows for a minimum focusing distance of 0.75 meters (2.46 feet).

The lens was built with video shooting in mind, featuring a reduced shifting of focus position when zooming in or out and a click-less control ring for smooth operation and reduced operational sound. Additionally, the lens is weather-resistant with improved dust and drip-resistant capability.

Below are sample images captured with the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, provided by Nikon:

The Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S will be available for purchase by the end of the year for $2,700.

Nikkor 24-120mm f/4 S

Nikon believes that the new Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S lens provides shooters with an incredibly useful focal range for nearly any scenario from landscape and portraits to event and concert photography. The 5x zoom lens works well for both still images and video with a constant f/4 aperture. Combined with its light 630g weight, the new 24-120mm f/4 lens is billed as an ideal walkabout or travel lens.

The new S-line lens offers a maximum reproduction ratio of 0.39x at the maximum telephoto position and has a short minimum focus distance of just 0.35 meters at the max wide-angle position, which Nikon says gives photographers more flexibility and the ability get close to subjects. The lens uses a multi-focusing system that has two stepping motors (STM) that Nikon says allow for fast, precise, and quiet autofocus in both still and video modes. Compensation for chromatic aberration is achieved using three ED glass elements, one aspherical ED glass element, and three aspherical elements in the optical system.

Like the 100-400mm lens, the 24-120mm features dust and drip-resistant weather sealing and features a click-less control ring for smooth operation and reduced noise during video recording. The lens is also designed to help reduce focus shift while zooming. Additionally, the lens has the original Nikon Nano Crystal Coat along with the ARNEO coat to reduce ghost and flare effects.

Below are a set of sample images taken with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens, provided by Nikon:

The Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S will be available for $1,100 by the end of 2021.

Nikon FTZII Adapter

Thirdly, Nikon has announced a new F- to Z-mount adapter, the FTZ II. The new and improved adapter improves upon the usability of the existing FTZ adapter with a new streamlined design and minimal projections making it easier to use with a vertical grip, which is especially important given the recent announcement of the Z9. The new adapter has had the tripod socket removed making the overall size of the adapter smaller and more comfortable to shoot with and allows it to be more compatible with a wider variety of tripod plates.