Nikon’s New Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR Aims To Be the Ultimate Travel Lens
For Nikon Z photographers, Nikon’s new Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR is the company’s most versatile lens yet. The high-power zoom lens is designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras and offers an impressive 14.2 times zoom range.
Nikon touts the lens as a “must-have” zoom for travel, sports, and backyard wildlife. Given its f/8 aperture at 400mm, it may not be an ideal choice for indoor sports or low-light wildlife photography. Still, the tradeoff could be well worth it for photographers prioritizing flexibility over a fast aperture.
“So many photographers and creatives will love the versatility of the Nikkor Z 28-400mm, which gives you clarity, range and fantastic backgrounds,” says Naoki Onozato, President and CEO, Nikon Inc. “Wherever your travels lead, this is definitely a lens to consider packing.”
Despite its expansive zoom range, the new 28-400mm lens weighs only 725 grams (1.6 pounds), making it the lightest full-frame lens with a zoom ratio greater than 10 times. The lens is 141.5 millimeters (5.6 inches) long at its minimum length and 84.5mm (3.4 inches) at its max diameter. It has a 77mm filter thread.
As for its optical formula, the lens includes 21 elements arrayed across 15 groups. It features four ED glass elements and a trio of aspherical elements. It has a nine-bladed circular aperture diaphragm.
Autofocus is driven by an STM system, which Nikon promises enables swift and accurate focusing. The lens can focus as close as 0.2 meters at its maximum wide-angle position, delivering a maximum magnification of 0.35x. The minimum focusing distance consistently increases during zoom, winding up at 1.2 meters (3.94 feet) at 400mm.
The aperture also changes during zooming, decreasing from its fastest f/4 aperture to its slowest, f/8, by about 200mm.
To aid handheld photography, a primary use case for the new 28-400mm zoom, the lens incorporates optical image stabilization, known as vibration reduction (VR) in Nikon parlance. The VR system promises up to five stops of shake correction or up to 5.5 stops when using Synchro VR on compatible cameras.
Although not a professional S-series lens, the new 28-400mm zoom includes dust and drip resistance, ensuring it can be used in inclement weather conditions. Nikon says there is sealing on various lens parts, including its movable parts.
Sample Images
Pricing and Availability
The new Nikkor Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR lens will be available beginning in mid-April for a suggested retail price of $1,299.95.
Image credits: Nikon
