Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR: The Best All-Purpose Lens I’ve Ever Used
When Nikon announced a new Nikon Z 28-400mm f/4-8 VR in March, I didn’t get very excited. After all, lenses that attempt to cover an extreme range of focal lengths (“all-in-one”) tend to suffer from distortion at their widest and longest and lose sharpness at the long end.
![A Nikon digital SLR camera with a large zoom lens is placed against a dark background. The camera has a black body, and the lens features a textured grip and a lens hood. The Nikon logo is visible on the body.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240511_Gear_031-800x540.jpg)
![Split-screen image showcasing the difference between a 28mm and a 400mm camera lens. The 28mm lens captures a wide, elevated view of a bustling city street with historic buildings, while the 400mm lens focuses closely on a clock tower with detailed architecture.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/Two-towers-800x600.jpg)
The upsides seem obvious, so let’s talk about the downsides first: size, weight, and aperture. It’s a pretty beefy lens, and does tend to extend on its own when hanging from my shoulder (it has a “lock” switch you can flip to keep it at 28mm). My Nikkor Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 lens weighs 1.26 lbs, and the new 28-400 is 1.6 lbs, so only about a quarter-pound heavier. And while the aperture is f/4 at 28mm, it gets to f/5.6 at 50mm and f/8 by the time you hit 200mm. That was one of my concerns, and it turns out I didn’t need to worry because I shoot mainly with the Nikon Z 8 and Z 9 cameras. Both of them handle high ISO’s really well, as I’m comfortable going up to 4000 ISO anytime, and will take it up to 12,800 if I really need to. Add to that I don’t plan on using this lens much for sports or wildlife, so won’t need high shutter speeds often. And, the IBIS (In Body Image Stabilization) on these cameras is so good I surprised myself by getting sharp photos at shutter speeds I normally wouldn’t consider using with a long telephoto lens.
![A close-up of a hand using tongs to shape a delicate, clear glass sculpture of a rearing horse. The sculpture sits on a work surface, and the background shows a slightly blurred workshop environment.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240507_EuropeD12_141E-800x533.jpg)
![A person is wearing an ornate pink masquerade mask adorned with jewels, crystals, and pearls. The mask includes a feather on top and intricate gold detailing around the edges. The person also wears matching jewelry and has a slight smile.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240507_EuropeD12_076E_1-800x533.jpg)
And the upsides? The biggest, of course, is that focal length range. 28-400mm? That’s crazy! But add to that the fact that it’s sharp (very sharp) throughout the range – even maxed out at 400mm. And that’s even when used wide open. I regularly found myself shooting the lens at its maximum aperture (widest) at whatever focal length I was using because it was always sharp. In fact, after the first couple of days, I only closed the aperture down when I wanted to pick up more depth of field.
![A monk wearing a brown robe stands at the doorway of a building, holding a piece of food while a pigeon sits on his hand and another pigeon flies above his head. Sunlight highlights the scene, and a dark green door with intricate designs is visible behind him.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240427_EuropeD02_024-800x533.jpg)
![A man dressed as a monk or friar with a white beard and glasses stands outside, holding a pigeon in one hand and feeding another pigeon that is flying nearby. He is wearing a brown robe and the background is dark with part of a door visible.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240427_EuropeD02_025_1-601x800.jpg)
![An elderly man with a white beard and glasses looks upward with a contemplative expression. He is wearing a dark robe and is set against a dark background. The sunlight casts a warm glow on his face.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/1005-Monk-800x575.jpg)
![A close-up of a white swan with its beak open and water splashing around it. The swan's plumage is wet, and the background is a rippling body of water.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240504_EuropeD09_058-800x533.jpg)
We all know that f/8 is not a “fast” aperture to work with, limiting your ability to create a shallow depth of field. However, at 300 to 400mm, and relatively close to your subject, even f/8 will result in a pretty soft background. And bokeh? That’s never something I’ve worried much about. In my opinion, if people are looking at the bokeh in the background of a photo I’ve made, then the photo’s not very good. If I’ve found a good subject or scene, that’s what the viewer should be looking at.
![Silhouetted pigeons perched on a ledge overlook a cityscape with red-tiled roofs and a prominent dome structure in the background, set against a bright, clear sky and distant green hills.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240427_EuropeD02_086EE-800x533.jpg)
![Silhouette of a person in a dark alleyway balancing a yellow soccer ball with one foot. The background features stone architecture with shadows and a partially visible green door. The scene is sunlit, creating contrasts between light and shadow.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240428_EuropeD03_040E-800x533.jpg)
But what about the wide-angle end? If you know me, you know I’m a BIG fan of super-wide lenses. My current favorite is the Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S. So would 28mm mean more time spent changing lenses? As it turned out, no. 28mm was wide enough for most of what I was shooting, and that compact 14-30mm was always close by for when I needed to go wider.
![A view of a Venetian canal at dusk, showcasing gondolas moored at a dock with a backdrop of historic buildings, including a prominent church tower. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, casting a serene blue and golden hue over the water and structures.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240506_EuropeD11_124-800x533.jpg)
I’ll still take the Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 with me on trips where I won’t need more than 200mm, or also have a much longer lens (like the 180-600mm). And my Z 24-120mm f/4 lens will go in the bag when I know I’ll need that f/4 aperture. But from now on, for most of my travels, this new 28-400mm lens will be what I reach for first. And that range, along with not having to change lenses as much, is going to help me make photos I couldn’t before. Here are a few more of those that I shot in Europe over the last two weeks with this impressive lens:
![Black and white photo of a Venetian canal with a gondola piloted by a gondolier moving under a stone bridge. Historic buildings with intricate carvings flank the canal, creating a picturesque and classic Venice scene.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240506_EuropeD11_096E_1-533x800.jpg)
![A white church with a tall steeple sits atop a lush green hill, with a winding path leading to it. Behind the church, a mountain range is bathed in golden sunlight as a unique cloud formation hovers above the peaks.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240505_EuropeD10_027-800x533.jpg)
![A person in an elaborate historical costume walks through a corridor of arched columns. The outfit features a large white and pink gown with gold accents, a pink lace corset, and a feathered mask and headdress, evoking a Venetian carnival or royal ball.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240507_EuropeD12_101-533x800.jpg)
![A picturesque scene of cascading waterfalls flowing down moss-covered rocks surrounded by lush greenery. The water appears silky smooth due to the long exposure, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere in the natural setting.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240430_EuropeD05_177E-800x533.jpg)
![A black foal with a small white marking on its forehead and white markings on its feet runs energetically across a gravel area in front of a plain beige and white wall. Its mane and tail flow with its movement.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240502_EuropeD07_033E-800x533.jpg)
![A serene lake reflects a picturesque island with a church, set against a backdrop of towering, snow-capped mountains under a partially cloudy sky. The scene is bathed in soft, ethereal light, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/05/20240504_EuropeD09_185E-800x532.jpg)
About the author: Reed Hoffmann is a photographer and photography instructor who has been in the photo industry for decades and who has used every Nikon DSLR (and taught most of them) and nearly every Nikon mirrorless camera. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Follow along with Hoffmann’s latest workshops here. You can also find more of Hoffmann’s work and writing on his website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. This article was also published here.