Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.6-5.6 VR S lens

Nikon Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.6-5.6 VR S telephoto zoom

The Nikon 100-400mm VR S is particularly suitable for nature and sports photography due to its focal length. This is an S-series lens, which means image quality, focusing speed, and weather protection are at the manufacturer's better level.

In addition, the Nikon 100-400mm is compatible with the Z series 1.4 and 2x teleconverters and the focus still works . With the more powerful 2x extender, you can get a focal length of 800mm even when shooting a little further away.

• Image Stabilizer: 5.5 f/1.8 power and works in conjunction with in-body stabilizers
• Weight 1434 grams and length 22cm
• Closest focusing distance 75m
  
• Programmable control ring for example, exposure adjustment directly from the lens
• L-FN programmable buttons, e.g. for saving focus distance and activating settings
• Weatherproof construction

The Nikon 100-400mm is a completely new design, meaning it has no history with the 80-400mm or 200-500mm lenses. It uses two super ED and six ED lens elements to correct image aberrations, and uses a new ARNEO coating and Nano Crystal coating.

The lens has internal image stabilization and, together with a Nikon camera that includes in-body stabilization, the stabilization effect is 5.5 stops in total. Autofocus is handled by two STM focus motors.

Nikon 100-400mm vs. 180-600mm

Nikon also has a popular longer 180-600mm telephoto zoom and choosing between these can be difficult. This 100-400mm is an S-series lens, which means it offers slightly better coatings, faster focusing and more light output at the same focal length. But your choice will also be influenced by your own preferences in terms of size and other lenses you have in use. If you have a 70-180mm or 70-200mm lens in your camera bag, the longer 180-600mm can be a good addition.

If it were the only telephoto lens, the 100mm focal length is much more versatile, meaning it works much better at close range and for example in portraiture. In addition, the size is very back-friendly and this works really well with the 1.4x teleconverter, meaning the optics become a 140-560mm f/5.6-8 equivalent with very good image quality in no time.

Super telephoto in nature: focus and usability

This type of telephoto zoom is often used in shelters, in variable conditions in nature and on the sides of sports fields, and usability is sometimes as important a feature as raw image quality. Do your fingers hit the right spot in the dark and cold, do you need to stop shooting in the rain, or is the weather protection in order? According to Nikon's tradition, the photographer's perspective has been the most important starting point in the design work.

The first thing you notice is the size of the lens! The Nikon 100-400mm is about the same size as the 70-200mm F2.8 and the filter thread is only 77mm in diameter. At maximum zoom, the lens size increases by about 5cm but the center of gravity remains almost the same, making it easy to balance on a tripod or even a gimbal.

Carrying it along has been taken into account already at the design table; when the camera is hanging from the strap, the lens does not slip, meaning that the annoying so-called zoom creep is conspicuous by its absence. Similarly, when photographing a high-flying bird or airplane, the focal length cannot be changed accidentally.

In addition to the zoom and focus rings, the lens has a programmable control ring, which can be used to change the aperture value or correct exposure, for example. There is also a programmable L-Fn button and four L-Fn2 buttons. These can be programmed to, for example, the distance to a bird's nest or a soccer goal, so that in the event of a situation, the correct focus is just a press away.

The lens has a focus limiter (with close, far and full settings) and an A/M manual focus switch. In addition, the OLED display shows focus distance, aperture value and depth of field information.

The Nikon 100-400mm is weather and dust sealed. There are 13 sealing rings, meaning they are in place, and the buttons are also protected. The outer lens element is coated with a fluoride coating that repels dirt and makes cleaning easier.

Specifications:

• Compatibility: Nikon Z mount
• Focal length: 100-400mm
• Aperture: F4.6-5.6 (minimum F32-40)
• Closest focusing distance: 75cm (maximum magnification 0.25X)
• Optical construction: 25 elements in 20 groups, 9 rounded diaphragm blades
  
• Image stabilizer: yes, power 5.5 f-stops
• Rotating fixed tripod collar
• Filter thread: 77mm
• Size: 98 x 222 mm
  
• Weight: 1435g

• Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens
• LC-77B Lens Cap
• Nikon LF-N1 Rear Lens Cap
• Nikon HB-103 Lens Hood
• CL-C3 Lens Case carrying case