Nikon is adding a big telephoto lens to its mirrorless Z system. The Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S matches a narrow angle of view with a wide aperture, perfect for bringing distant subjects into clear view and blurring out backgrounds. This big type of lens is a favorite choice for wildlife photographers who can't get close to skittish subjects and sports photographers working from the sidelines.
The lens works with Z system cameras, and is likely to be paired with the stacked sensor Z 9, the company's fastest focusing mirrorless. The Z 9 has an integrated grip, and can fire images at up to 120fps. The 400mm is a big lens, around 15 inches long, and has a newly developed Silky Swift Voice Coil Motor (SSVCM) focus that promises to move its focusing elements with both speed and precision.
An integrated teleconverter adds some versatility. The 400mm F2.8 turns into a 560mm F4 with the flick of a switch, and you can opt to add an external TC-1.4x or TC-2x to further extend its reach, as long as 784mm F5.6 or 1,120mm F8, respectively. The lens includes Nikon's VR image stabilization, good for about 5.5 stops of correction with most Z cameras. It supports the Z 9's Synchro VR function, one that uses both in-lens and in-body stabilization together for better results.
Nikon Z cameras are built with magnesium chassis and weather protection. The 400mm F2.8 matches them, so you can take it out into the elements without worry. Its barrel is magnesium alloy and is fully weather sealed. Nikon has added anti-smudge fluorine to the exposed glass for a bit of extra protection. It's using the lens to introduce a new anti-reflective coating, Meso Amorphous, one that suppresses artifacts from light coming in from any angle.
The Nikkor Z 400mm uses a complex optical formula, 25 elements arranged in 19 groups, with loads of alphabet soup glass types—ED, Super ED, SR, and fluorite among them. Nobody will accuse the 6.5-pound lens of being a featherweight, and it does cut about 2 pounds from Nikon's 400mm F2.8 for SLRs, but you can find lighter lenses. The Canon RF 400mm F2.8 and Sony FE 400mm F2.8 are both around the same weight, but neither includes an integrated teleconverter.
It's a lot of lens, and one that is made just for professional photographers and serious hobbyists with money to spare. You'll need to budget $13,999.95 for the Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S when it goes on sale in late February.