The new Nikon 100-400 S lens. Discuss.

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We won't have to wait much longer to know, but does anyone care to guess what the price may be? I'm sure it's going to be a better performer than the 80-400 AF-S, which was pretty good, but not outstanding in my opinion. Who else is planning on getting this lens?
 
100-400mm is just an awkward focal range for wildlife. Who is the target audience, sports shooters? I have the 80-400mm G and carry it on a sling as a second body when shooting a long prime on a tripod. Simply because it works better than a 70-200. But it's not long enough on the long end and not enough aperture to take a TC. Wonder why they're not releasing the 200-600mm first?
 
100-400mm is just an awkward focal range for wildlife. Who is the target audience, sports shooters? I have the 80-400mm G and carry it on a sling as a second body when shooting a long prime on a tripod. Simply because it works better than a 70-200. But it's not long enough on the long end and not enough aperture to take a TC. Wonder why they're not releasing the 200-600mm first?
Ive always felt like the 100-400 type lenses got their popularity from crop sensor shooters.
 
100-400mm is just an awkward focal range for wildlife. Who is the target audience, sports shooters? I have the 80-400mm G and carry it on a sling as a second body when shooting a long prime on a tripod. Simply because it works better than a 70-200. But it's not long enough on the long end and not enough aperture to take a TC. Wonder why they're not releasing the 200-600mm first?
I find that focal length range very useful for larger mammals especially if I want to include some habitat in the image. It's rarely if ever the only lens I'll carry but as a second lens when I'm already carrying a big prime and especially if I'm expecting to work: Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Deer, Elk, Mtn Goats or other decent sized mammals I'll want something in that focal length range handy. Sometimes I'll just carry the 300mm PF for that use but it's nice to have a zoom covering that range. If I really know I'll be working large mammals from reasonable distances I'll carry Nikon's 200-400mm VR II but if I'll have a longer lens then that's too much to carry and that's where a 100-400mm is very handy.
 
I've owned two lenses in that focal length range (Sony 70-400G2 in Sony A-mount and Sony 100-400 GM). I prefer it to the 70-200f2.8 and use it for ease of travel (vs my 200-600), sports (soccer for my niece, band for my daughters), landscape (when I want telephoto), and, when necessary with the 1.4 (which it performs very well with), for birding.
 
Ive always felt like the 100-400 type lenses got their popularity from crop sensor shooters.

I am a crop sensor shooter and can confirm that is the case. I have used my Sigma 100-400 extensively for the last two and a half years. Very good optics, and very handholdable. I would much rather carry one of those around than a 200-500, or a 150-600. A 100-400 doesn’t have the same reach as the other two, but it is nonetheless quite good. Certainly better than a 70-300.
 
I find that focal length range very useful for larger mammals especially if I want to include some habitat in the image. It's rarely if ever the only lens I'll carry but as a second lens when I'm already carrying a big prime and especially if I'm expecting to work: Bighorn Sheep, Moose, Deer, Elk, Mtn Goats or other decent sized mammals I'll want something in that focal length range handy. Sometimes I'll just carry the 300mm PF for that use but it's nice to have a zoom covering that range. If I really know I'll be working large mammals from reasonable distances I'll carry Nikon's 200-400mm VR II but if I'll have a longer lens then that's too much to carry and that's where a 100-400mm is very handy.
I tend to shoot in much the same fashion. I do a lot of work with Bighorn Sheep as well as other Ungulates and 100-400 is a perfect focal length.
 
I’m considering it, but there are a lot of factors that will be part of the decision. Price would need to be lower than expected as well since this lens wouldn’t see a lot of use. It would be replacing my 70-300mm AF-P. I am more interested in the 200-600mm. If the 100-400mm is over $2300, I will probably pass on it and might put that money on top of what I was planning to spend on another body and order the Z9.
 
Sounds like at least a few of you guys, and probably most people, will prefer the 200-600 that is on the road map. I get that. I have a prime in that longer focal length, so for me the 100-400 will be more useful. I'll probably trade or sell my 70-200 f/4, as I doubt I'll ever use it again.
 
I have a sigma 100-400 and use it a lot especially in hot weather when I don’t feel like lugging a 200-500 around. I find it useful for larger mammals like deer and close up birds. In summer I use it a lot for butterflies and bees on flowers.
I am however more interested in the 200-600
 
For nature photography, I think a 100-400mm lens is much more versatile than a 70-200mm. However, the way it zooms is important to me. I much prefer the Internal (rotary) method over the internal (zoom) method. The Nikon 70-200mm lenses are internal (rotary) zooms. The Nikon 200-500mm is an internal(zoom) which means at 500mm it is long. Another important feature is the lens' minimum focus distance. Its just not focal length. The Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS lens is an internal (rotary) zoom lens.
 
We won't have to wait much longer to know, but does anyone care to guess what the price may be? I'm sure it's going to be a better performer than the 80-400 AF-S, which was pretty good, but not outstanding in my opinion. Who else is planning on getting this lens?
$2700. I suspect that this lens will be nearly as good as the 70-200 F2.8 A tad less sharp because of the extended focal range. My question - how good will the combination of 100-400 + TC be.
 
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I must also be odd, as I was about to bash out the same words, almost....
I pair a 400 f2.8E + TC2 with the 70-200 f2.8E which often has a TC14 glued on. But too often the subject moves out of zoom reach.
I found the 80-400 G does better in this niche, but its focusing can be fickle to tune on a DSLR. Its IQ is not at the level of the newer E FL FL telephotos, and this aging zoom also cannot be relied upon to pair with a TC14.
[EDIT] I tested my copy of the 80-400 G intensively over almost 2 years against the above lenses. Being leery of copy variation across earlier batches, I bought my copy new with one of the latest serial #. The 300 PF is distinctly better (with TC's too). Actually a 300 PF is a formidable and versatile optic, for many well known reasons, including how well it pairs with a TC14 and even TC17 II. Obviously it lacks the handy reframing you can get with a zoom.

Nikon are likely to have designed this 100-400 S to pair well with their new ZTC14.
My only reservations are losing compatibility with my pair of trusty DSLRs, and an extending zoom can be unwieldy.

I must be odd, but I find the 100-400 (or 80-400) much more useful than the 200-500. It’s a great lens to pair with a long prime, and much more svelte and nimble. I’d buy the 100-400 ahead of the 200-600 anytime. Even more so if it takes even a 1.4 TC well.
 
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I think, 100-400 S will be working perfectly with TC becasue we know already that S-lenses (or mirrorless focusing system) are working very well with TCs. Furthermore, I tested 500PF+1,4 TC and with 2xTC on D850 and Z7. It will be F8 and F11. Z7 focuses much better (faster, preciser). And it is clear why: in DSLR by F8 and F11 the phasen-sensoren for focusing are partially closed (ref. book of Steve about Focusing Systems) and mirroless doesn't have that problem. Z7 (or mirrorless) does very good with adapters on S-lenses and F-mount lenses as we know from reviews.
My adapter is an F-mount. I think the native adapters must be even better becasue of 52mm opening (on mount) and because they are native.
In Africa or other places with bigger mammals it will be a very versatile lens! The question here is how better it will be than 70-200/2.8 S + native 2xTC ? It will give approximately the same range and still one can benefite of 2,8 on 200mm. For Africa it would mean to dismount lens in very sandy conditions and that will bring to the point of using TC all the time. So, the 100-400 will be better, I think. However, one still need a second body for the birds, right? And I understand, why many of us will be waiting for 200-600.
Sure, the internal zoom will be important as well as weight and price. The resolution and picture quality will be very good, I assume.
Maybe Nikon releases 100-400 as a first becasue many impatient photographers will buy it and not waiting for 200-600 ;-)
 
Exactly, I bought a 80-400 G to use alongside a longer telephoto, especially when shooting 2-3 cameras in a vehicle. (Anticipating the 100-400 S, I traded my copy in at a decent price with a D780 in June to score a near mint D5.... I'm not rushing back into mirrorless, yet. But I see a mixed F and Z system to be inevitable...)

I plan to also carry a 100-400 S It sounds almost ideal (not yet a lighter Phase-Fresnel zoom!) to carry with a longer telephoto on hikes etc in what I term peregrinatory photography. I considered the 200-500 f5.6E very seriously but it's almost 1 kg too heavy...

It is mistake to underestimate the impressive quality one can get using a Teleconverter, 'even' the DSLR models. This is only with the 'right' Nikkor, however; and the combinations giving the best quality are very much in the minority. 500 f5.6 PF + TC14 III can be critical IME, and I even have a couple of keepers taken with a 500 PF + TC17 II on a Z7.

Based on experiences with the 70-200 f2.8S, what we see confirms the pair of Z-TC's are of even better quality :)


I think, 100-400 S will be working perfectly with TC becasue we know already that S-lenses (or mirrorless focusing system) are working very well with TCs. Furthermore, I tested 500PF+1,4 TC and with 2xTC on D850 and Z7. It will be F8 and F11. Z7 focuses much better (faster, preciser). And it is clear why: in DSLR by F8 and F11 the phasen-sensoren for focusing are partially closed (ref. book of Steve about Focusing Systems) and mirroless doesn't have that problem. Z7 (or mirrorless) does very good with adapters on S-lenses and F-mount lenses as we know from reviews.
My adapter is an F-mount. I think the native adapters must be even better becasue of 52mm opening (on mount) and because they are native.
In Africa or other places with bigger mammals it will be a very versatile lens! The question here is how better it will be than 70-200/2.8 S + native 2xTC ? It will give approximately the same range and still one can benefite of 2,8 on 200mm. For Africa it would mean to dismount lens in very sandy conditions and that will bring to the point of using TC all the time. So, the 100-400 will be better, I think. However, one still need a second body for the birds, right? And I understand, why many of us will be waiting for 200-600.
Sure, the internal zoom will be important as well as weight and price. The resolution and picture quality will be very good, I assume.
Maybe Nikon releases 100-400 as a first becasue many impatient photographers will buy it and not waiting for 200-600 ;-)
 
info appended

Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S and Mount Adapter FTZ II
October 28, 2021

Further expanding the NIKKOR Z lens lineup
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NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
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NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
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Mount Adapter FTZ II
TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, a super-telephoto zoom lens, and the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, a standard zoom lens, that are compatible with full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless cameras for which the Nikon Z mount system has been adopted, as well as the Mount Adapter FTZ II.

The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, the first super-telephoto zoom model in the NIKKOR Z S-Line series*1 of lenses, delivers outstanding resolution from maximum aperture while thoroughly reducing color bleeding and fringing. Despite being a super-telephoto lens that covers a broad focal-length range, it achieves the shortest minimum focus distance of 0.75 m in its class*2 at the maximum wide-angle position. The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S also realizes the lightest weight of approx. 1,355 g in its class*2, enabling it to be carried around for a long period of time with less burden. As well as this, it employs "Inner Balance Technology*3" — a first for Nikon models, that significantly reduces shifting of the center of gravity when zooming in and out. With its high performance and operability, this lens is certain to stimulate both advanced amateurs' and professional photographers' creativity.

The NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, a 5x standard zoom lens that is also a part of the S-Line series of high-resolution NIKKOR Z lenses, achieves sharp rendering with reduced color bleeding. It covers a wide focal-length range at a constant f/4 aperture, attaining beautiful rendering utilizing large bokeh, especially in the telephoto range, for both stills and videos. In addition, the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S achieves the lightest weight of approx. 630 g in its class*4, resulting in greatly enhanced portability. Its high maximum reproduction ratio of 0.39x at the maximum telephoto position lets users shoot subjects in large size. This lens will support advanced amateurs and professionals with its outstanding power of expression for a variety of scenes, from exquisite rendering of plants and insects to travel, street snaps, and weddings.

The Mount Adapter FTZ II is designed for Nikon D-SLR users who own NIKKOR F lenses. It allows them to continue using those assets with Nikon's Z mount system as much as possible. By removing the tripod mounting collar from the Mount Adapter FTZ (released in September 2018), the new adapter provides a streamlined design with minimal projections and lighter weight, ensuring stable holding in vertical shooting as well as unobstructed pairing with various accessories. It supports use of approx. 360 types of NIKKOR F lenses from AI type onwards, while shooting with AF/AE*5 and VR*6 is also available with compatible lenses.

Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users' needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.

  • *1The S-Line is a grade of NIKKOR Z lenses that demonstrate outstanding optical performance, adhering to a high standard of design principles and quality control.
  • *2Among full-frame interchangeable lenses with a focal length range of 100-400 mm and maximum apertures of f/4.5 - f/5.6 for digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, available as of October 28, 2021. Statement based on Nikon research.
  • *3A mechanism that reduces the shifting of the center of gravity as much as possible with lens groups moving in opposite directions for balance. As the front lens group moves forward, when zooming from the wide-angle to the telephoto position, part of the rear lens group moves backward.
  • *4Among interchangeable zoom lenses for mirrorless digital cameras with interchangeable lenses equipped with a 35mm film size image sensor, with a focal-length range from 24 mm at the wide-angle end to 105-120 mm at the telephoto end, and a maximum aperture of f/4 or less, available as of October 28, 2021. Statement based on Nikon research.
  • *5Only when a lens with a built-in motor is attached. With some limitations according to lens types. For incompatible lenses and accessories as well as other usage information, please refer to Nikon websites.
  • *6When a NIKKOR F CPU lens without built-in VR is used, in-camera sensor-shift VR activates to deliver images with effectively reduced image blur. When a NIKKOR F lens equipped with VR is used, the in-lens VR and in-camera VR work together to achieve three-axis blur compensation.
Primary features of the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
  • Focal length at the maximum telephoto position becomes 560 mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-1.4x, and 800 mm with the Z TELECONVERTER TC-2.0x, while maintaining high resolution*1.
  • Multi-focusing system that utilizes two STMs (stepping motors), enabling fast, precise and quiet AF operation for both stills and videos.
  • Employs an optical vibration reduction function with an effect equivalent to a shutter speed 5.5 stops faster*2, which is the highest among NIKKOR Z lenses.
  • While lateral chromatic aberration is optically corrected, axial chromatic aberration is also significantly reduced via the adoption of Super ED glass and ED glass elements, providing clear images across the entire frame from maximum aperture.
  • Nikon's original Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat are both adopted to effectively reduce ghost and flare effects even in backlit situations.
  • The highest maximum reproduction ratio of 0.38x (at the maximum telephoto position) in its class*3 that lets users shoot subjects in large size.
  • Employs "Inner Balance Technology" — a first for Nikon models, that reduces shifting of the center of gravity when zooming in from the wide-angle position to the telephoto position.
  • The shortest*3 rotation angle of 80 degrees in its class for the zoom ring enables users to rotate the zoom ring from the wide-angle position to the telephoto position in just one motion, without adjusting lens holding.
  • A smooth and quiet control ring that realizes high operability.
  • Features a design giving consideration to video recording, including effectively reduced shifting of a focus position when zooming in/out and the angle of view when adjusting focus.
  • Superior dust- and drip-resistant capability*4, high reliability that comes from both robustness and weather resistance, and excellent anti-fouling performance via the employment of fluorine coat are realized.
© saizou
Primary features of the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
  • Covering the telephoto range up to 120 mm, a wide variety of scenes can be handled with high optical performance across the entire zoom range for both stills and videos.
  • A minimum focus distance of 0.35 m allows users to get closer to their subjects.
  • Multi-focusing system that utilizes two STMs (stepping motors), enabling fast, precise and quiet AF operation for both stills and videos.
  • Effective compensation for chromatic aberration with the employment of three ED glass, one aspherical ED glass, and three aspherical lens elements in the optical system.
  • Nikon's original Nano Crystal Coat and ARNEO Coat are both adopted to effectively reduce ghost and flare effects even in backlit situations.
  • A smooth and quiet control ring that realizes high operability.
  • Features a design giving consideration to video recording, including effectively reduced shifting of a focus position when zooming in/out and the angle of view when adjusting focus.
  • Superior dust- and drip-resistant capability*4, and excellent anti-fouling performance with the employment of fluorine coat are realized.
 
Ricci didn't waste time, with first comparisons of the IQ against the 180-400 f4 TC14 (and with TCs)

Nikon Japan:
Yet another impressive zoom, 2 Super ED elements, 6 ED...and a couple of entirely new features. And nice to have tight MFD: " 0.75 m/2.46 ft from the image sensor at the wide-angle end; 0.98 m/3.22 ft at the telephoto end ..."

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