I was off by $0.05.
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The new Nikon 100-400 S lens. Discuss.
- Thread starter Jamie Baker
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The 100-400 (or 80-400) combined with a 600 (ideally 600 PF if one is ever developed) is a great combination for an African Safari. Best would be 600 PF S w/ drop in 1.4 but that will not happen. Perhaps we will see 600 S w/ drop in 1.4. i can only dream
A friend who is an awesome wildlife shhoter from Jackson Wyoming (Canon) says most of his best shots have come with his 100-400,. It has been a great seller for Canon, and Nikon 80-400 isn’t even close. I say bravo!
My wife and I both use and like the Tamron 100-400 her on her Z50 and me on D850 and will try it out on the Z9 with the FTZ before springing for this one.
Roy
Well-known member
The new 100-400mm z lens may be great but it looks like just an update of the 80-400mm G lens.
fcotterill
Well-known member
Do you have any data and comparisons, which have compared these 2 Zooms?
Besides a video report by Riccitalks, all we have seen so far are the specifications including the confirmation of 6 ED elements and 2 Super ED elements, which with the ARNEO coatings should minimize CA and flare, respectively. Reviews comparing this pair of F and Z zooms will take time to be published, but Nikon's MTF data confirm a major difference in sharpness etc
WIDE:
TELE
Besides a video report by Riccitalks, all we have seen so far are the specifications including the confirmation of 6 ED elements and 2 Super ED elements, which with the ARNEO coatings should minimize CA and flare, respectively. Reviews comparing this pair of F and Z zooms will take time to be published, but Nikon's MTF data confirm a major difference in sharpness etc
WIDE:
TELE
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John Navitsky
Well-known member
Yes, I think that is the primary audience. Super sharp, super fast AF, light and compact. It's a very handy package for action. I think this came out now because they need a real sport lens to add credibility of the z9 as a sport body.
eaj101
Well-known member
I suspect the upcoming winter Olympics have something to do with it.
I see this as a terrific lens for places where lower weight and smaller size are important, or for situations where you need a long lens for occasional wildlife and close up work - like the Smokies, southern Oregon and Northern California coast, or even puffins in Maine, Alaska or northern Europe. It would cover large mammals very well. It might be a good choice for use in a canoe or kayak - a place where you have a moving platform and shoot handheld.
The downside is it's variable aperture - f/4-5.6 - but that is a step better than the 80-400. It's also not really long enough for birds other than large wading birds (although maybe with the 1.4 TC it would be sharp enough to be usable at the long end).
For me, it's a tough call. I passed on both 80-400 lenses and did not miss them. I do still have a 200-400 which could partly be replaced by this lens with smaller size, better optics but slower aperture. In my case the Z 70-200 f/2.8 is my favorite lens, and I will probably replace my 200-500 with the 200-600. So the 100-400 would have to replace both of those lenses in my bag to get any use. I place a lot of value on the 70-200 at f/2.8-3.2 as well as for landscapes, so pulling that lens is a tough order. The 70-200 with teleconverter gives up a little reach but is likely sharper and faster.
The downside is it's variable aperture - f/4-5.6 - but that is a step better than the 80-400. It's also not really long enough for birds other than large wading birds (although maybe with the 1.4 TC it would be sharp enough to be usable at the long end).
For me, it's a tough call. I passed on both 80-400 lenses and did not miss them. I do still have a 200-400 which could partly be replaced by this lens with smaller size, better optics but slower aperture. In my case the Z 70-200 f/2.8 is my favorite lens, and I will probably replace my 200-500 with the 200-600. So the 100-400 would have to replace both of those lenses in my bag to get any use. I place a lot of value on the 70-200 at f/2.8-3.2 as well as for landscapes, so pulling that lens is a tough order. The 70-200 with teleconverter gives up a little reach but is likely sharper and faster.
eaj101
Well-known member
As far as use cases, I think I'd often carry just the 14-30 f4 and the 100-400 as a two lens kit. I really don't use the 30-100mm range very much, finding the perspective it gives kind of meh. This combination gives one something reasonably light and nimble covering a useful range. Even better if the new 100-400 takes even a 1.4 TC well.
(on my DSLRs I often carry just a 20/24mm prime and the 300PF)
(on my DSLRs I often carry just a 20/24mm prime and the 300PF)
ccirelli
Well-known member
I immediately ordered the 24-120, which I'm SO happy they're offering. Can't wait! This one will replace my 24-70 Z and 24-200 Z lenses.
I also ordered the 100-400, but then canceled that one yesterday. I have the 200-500 F (it's a shared "family lens"), and the 70-300 F, both are really super on my Z6II. I plan on getting the 200-600 Z whenever that's released.
If the 100-400 was under $2k, I likely would have kept the order. I'm sure it'll be a superb lens, but the combination of the range and the cost isn't the best use of $ for my needs. For a few hundred less, the 70-200 2.8 S would be a better investment for me, and would replace my 70-300.
Decisions / $
I also ordered the 100-400, but then canceled that one yesterday. I have the 200-500 F (it's a shared "family lens"), and the 70-300 F, both are really super on my Z6II. I plan on getting the 200-600 Z whenever that's released.
If the 100-400 was under $2k, I likely would have kept the order. I'm sure it'll be a superb lens, but the combination of the range and the cost isn't the best use of $ for my needs. For a few hundred less, the 70-200 2.8 S would be a better investment for me, and would replace my 70-300.
Decisions / $
Between the 24-70 F4, 24-200 and 24-120 F4 0- that is a tough choice. 2 of the 3 (24-70, 24-120) are S series lens but the 24-200 is great walk around lens.I immediately ordered the 24-120, which I'm SO happy they're offering. Can't wait! This one will replace my 24-70 Z and 24-200 Z lenses.
I also ordered the 100-400, but then canceled that one yesterday. I have the 200-500 F (it's a shared "family lens"), and the 70-300 F, both are really super on my Z6II. I plan on getting the 200-600 Z whenever that's released.
If the 100-400 was under $2k, I likely would have kept the order. I'm sure it'll be a superb lens, but the combination of the range and the cost isn't the best use of $ for my needs. For a few hundred less, the 70-200 2.8 S would be a better investment for me, and would replace my 70-300.
Decisions / $
Perhaps I'll ditch the 24-70. Want to see how good the 24-120 lens is
ccirelli
Well-known member
Ya I'm actually a little on the fence about selling / keeping the 24-200, it's a sharp & versatile lens.
NWGuy
Well-known member
Any advantage to this lens (100-400mm F4.5-5.6 S) vs a 70-200mm F2.8 S with a 1.4 or 2.0 TC?
A great walk around lens. Perhaps not up Z7 but definitely works well with the Z6.
ccirelli
Well-known member
What I heard (from Ricci) makes sense to me: If you shoot out at 400mm the majority of the time - get the 100-400. If you occasionally have a need to shoot at 400mm, and you need the versatility of the 70-200 2.8 - go with the 70-200 & TC.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
I ordered the 100-400 as soon as I was able, and hope to have one in December or January. Furthermore, I also decided to add a Z7ii to my bag instead of the Z9. I personally put a higher value on good glass than on the “best” camera. I know this is backwards to some, but as someone who is less focused on action than on the “art” of the image, my decisions made sense to me. This camera and lens will join my Z6II , 500PF, and 24-70. My wife will get my Z7 & Z70-200 f2.8S w/1.4x…. She will add the pair to her Z6II w/ 300PF + 1.4c, and Z24-200. We will be selling our two D500 bodies to offset the sticker shock of our purchase, and likely wait for trickle down Z9 tech in the next $3000 camera... or, if I get the courage... buy the Z9
If the quality of the 100-400 is anything like the 70-200, I’ll be a happy guy!!
regards,
bruce
If the quality of the 100-400 is anything like the 70-200, I’ll be a happy guy!!
regards,
bruce
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I hope they are out in December or January. I've pre-ordered one from my local dealer and am first on his list, but I'm not NPS. When I last talked to my dealer -- last Friday -- he did not have any information from Nikon on dates and said Nikon had not yet created an order number for it in their computer system.
Bruce, have you gotten any more specific information on availability?
Bill,
My dealer does have an order code and he placed the order with Nikon. I sent a PO # from the dealer to Nikon via NPS.
As for the lens arrival date, my Dec-Jan is a bit of wishful thinking. I have heard everything from December 21st to February. If I get it buy April, I'm fine as I have a number of trips planned for May through September.
Did you order the Z9?... I keep telling myself that I've made the right decision to wait,... I have plans to visit South Africa in July, and think I might rent the Z9 for that trip.
bruce
I just held it attached to a Z9 for about a minute. Feels very solid and felt really balanced. The throw on the zoom is short too. Wish i would have had more time to look at it in detail
fcotterill
Well-known member
One point of interest is among the first feedback of the Z9 from Michelle Valberg; she says the 100-400 f4.5/5.6S gives excellent quality with the ZTC2 at f11, using 3D Tracking + Eye-Detect on the Z9. Some of these examples also include 500 f5.6E PF+T2 III, which is no less encouraging. Her video
She will probably have much more to say about this aspects this weekend. Part of the Discussion day is Online (and free to registrants):
creativephotoacademy.com
She will probably have much more to say about this aspects this weekend. Part of the Discussion day is Online (and free to registrants):
Revealing the Soul Within with Michelle Valberg
From environmental and travel to studio-style portraiture, Michelle will walk us through her vision and process of capturing people and their personalities in a single frame.
creativephotoacademy.com
Thanks Bruce. I’ll let my dealer know there is an order number for the 100-400. Hopefully he already knows that. I’d love to have one for a trip to Yellowstone in February. December would be even better, as I’m going to Bosque Del Apache.
I have preordered the Z9. I’m not NPS, so not sure how long it will take to get one. I have liked the Z7II and Z6II a lot, and will keep them. I think they are quite good for most wildlife work I do. And decent for BIF, especially with larger birds. Under-appreciated in many quarters.
I decided to get a Z9 because I wanted to have a blackout free EVF at a frame rate faster than 5.5 fps and wanted to be able to program buttons for focus areas (as I do on my D500 and D850). The new subject tracking modes look pretty interesting too. It is expensive, but less than I was expecting. Also interesting to me is that it seems more versatile (for me anyway) than a D6. Would be decent for landscapes too, alongside the Z7II.
fcotterill
Well-known member
This is a neat innovation to solve irritating negatives of an extending Zoom telephoto. Nikon has pioneered its Inner Balance Technology in the 100-400 S. The combined benefits :
1. Fixed centre of balance - very useful to balance on a gimbal,
2. Prevents involuntary extension of the lens under gravity
1. Fixed centre of balance - very useful to balance on a gimbal,
2. Prevents involuntary extension of the lens under gravity
The price is on Nikon Canada's website: $3,649.00
Note, that's Canadian $ so roughly $75US
Note, that's Canadian $ so roughly $75US