(Credit: Nikon)
The all-in-one zoom concept has long been a favorite option for photographers who want to add a grab-and-go lens to their kit that can cover the unexpected photo ops that pop up during travel, walks around the neighborhood, and anything in between. Nikon is adding its second lens of this type to the Z mirrorless system today in the form of the Nikkor Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR.
The Z 28-400mm doubles the reach of the earlier Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR, though it does sacrifice some wide angle coverage to get there. The trade-off is sure to be worthwhile for creators who want a lens that can make many types of images. You can go from taking a wide landscape scene to a tight angle to get a wildlife photo without having to swap lenses. Add strong macro performance, 7.9-inch focus for 1:2.9 life-size reproduction at the 28mm angle, and you've got an ideal one-lens solution for a trip to a national park.
(Credit: Nikon)There's always some trade-off to be made, and here it's the aperture. At f/4-8 the 28-400mm is a lens that's ideally used in bright conditions. You won't want to use it to grab shots in a dimly lit room or after the sun sets below the horizon. It's a compromise that non-pros are willing to make, especially considering how good the latest smartphone cameras are for low-light scenarios.
If you strictly prefer to use a camera to take photos, the 28-400mm includes optical stabilization to eke out sharp long-exposure photos without a tripod, it's rated for 5.0 stops on its own and 5.5 stops when used with a camera that has a stabilized sensor. In theory this supports exposures of nearly a second at the wide end and around 1/13-second zoomed all the way in to 400mm, speeds long enough to blur moving subjects.
The zoom is fairly small considering its range and full-frame compatibility too. It measures only 5.6 by 3.4 inches (HD) at its 28mm setting, weighs 1.6 pounds, works with 77mm filters, and ships with a compact square lens hood. It includes dust and splash protection too, so you can use it comfortably outdoors.
(Credit: Nikon)Nikon expects the Nikkor Z 28-400mm F4-8 VR to ship in mid-April at a suggested retail price of $1,299.95. The Nikkor Z 24-200mm F4-6.3 VR remains in the catalog for $899.95, in case you don't need quite as much zoom power or prefer an all-in-one that starts at a wider angle of view. For more on Z mount lenses, check out our top recommendations for the system.