Nikon Showcase Nikkor Z 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR S

[gordo]

I searched and didn't find a thread for this lens. I doubt I'm the only one here with one, so let's have a spot to share thoughts and tips/ techniques. Just impressions and some photos, no in-depth review from me as there are many others far more qualified than I, and their reviews are all over the intertubes.

Mine arrived. Feels good, man. Typical S feel, not too light not too heavy.

Made it out the next day to make sure it worked.

MFD is insane, even moreso with a TC attached. SOOC jpg resized for web, almost min focus distance, 400mm handheld. Focus point was where the horizontal and the vertical meet.

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SOOC jpg resized for web, 400mm at about 4x min focus distance, handheld.

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As usual, haze and/ or distortion preventing checking of focus and sharpness at distance.

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And with the Z 1.4x TC, 560mm on a monopod, AF immediately locked onto the Cardinal in this shot. I did have other shots where AF hunted, on shots with small gray birds on a gray pebble surface. I didn't notice any nasty aberrations on any of my shots today, many included twigs against a bright sky.

Initial impressions so far - wonderful lens. Kinda expected after reading/ watching reviews.

 

[rayvonn]

I searched and didn't find a thread for this lens. I doubt I'm the only one here with one, so let's have a spot to share thoughts and tips/ techniques. Just impressions and some photos, no in-depth review from me as there are many others far more qualified than I, and their reviews are all over the intertubes.

Mine arrived. Feels good, man. Typical S feel, not too light not too heavy.
View attachment 548692

Made it out the next day to make sure it worked.

MFD is insane, even moreso with a TC attached. SOOC jpg resized for web, almost min focus distance, 400mm handheld. Focus point was where the horizontal and the vertical meet.
View attachment 548695

SOOC jpg resized for web, 400mm at about 4x min focus distance, handheld.
View attachment 548696

As usual, haze and/ or distortion preventing checking of focus and sharpness at distance.
View attachment 548698

And with the Z 1.4x TC, 560mm on a monopod, AF immediately locked onto the Cardinal in this shot. I did have other shots where AF hunted, on shots with small gray birds on a gray pebble surface. I didn't notice any nasty aberrations on any of my shots today, many included twigs against a bright sky.
View attachment 548699

Initial impressions so far - wonderful lens. Kinda expected after reading/ watching reviews.

The only reason I didn't get one is because the Tamron for F mount, convertible via the FTZ adapter, was 20% of the price. But the Nikkor Z is a superb lens, I'd say the first and best choice for anyone on the Z system. Very well done!

 

[marlof]

I haven’t used mine much yet, but it does seem very capable.

With TC14:

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Au naturel:

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[gordo]

The only reason I didn't get one is because the Tamron for F mount, convertible via the FTZ adapter, was 20% of the price. But the Nikkor Z is a superb lens, I'd say the first and best choice for anyone on the Z system. Very well done!

If you already have one that works and you're happy with the results - no pressing reason to change IMHO.

 

[gordo]

I haven’t used mine much yet, but it does seem very capable.

With TC14:
View attachment 548708

Au naturel:
View attachment 548709

Nice.

Not sure how much day-to-day use mine will see, but there are times I'll definitely be using it. Need to spend more time with it and the Z6III to learn much more about them.

 

[gordo]

Two more from today with the lens + 1.4 TC, full-size downsized for web, f/8 and 560mm on monopod.

Male Cardinal, OK focus.

White Winged Dove. This is one of the sharpest shots from this morning, AF nailed it IMHO.

 

[DM Larson]

It's a fantastic lens that spends a great deal of time on my Z9.