Nikon Launches Full-Frame Super-Zoom Lens

2024.03.27

Nikon just unveiled the highest-ratio zoom lens built for mirrorless digital cameras and it even offers full-frame coverage! Designed exclusively for their Z-mount mirrorless platform, the new lens offers a super-zoom range for capturing an incredible variety of subjects.

The new Nikkor Z 28-400mm F/4-8 VR spans a moderate wide-angle to a long telephoto reach, allowing the capture of a viewing-angle between 6-75° using a single-lens. It can also be mounted on a APS-C mirrorless where it covers a 4-53° angle-of-view. Similar ranges are extremely rare of an interchangeable lens camera and this is the first lens to offer it for Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Cameras.

This lens has a 14X optical zoom that makes it an all-in-one lens that could be very adept at travel photography. Its focal-range starts wide enough for landscape and urban photography. The middle of its range covers interior, group, portrait, street photography and more while the telephoto end can handle still wildlife and birds. Its optical formula lets it achieve a magnification of 0.35X which sufficient for detail shots.

The compromise necessary for this powerful zoom is a very dim maximum aperture within the telephoto range. Wide open, the maximum F/4 is typical for a lightweight lens and completely usable on a Full-Frame camera. At the long end, this closes down to F/8 which is among the darkest maximum aperture on any lens. This will leave the camera with much less light to work with and negatively impact focusing-speeds. To combat this aperture, the Nikkor Z 28-400mm F/4-8 VR is equipped with an optical image-stabilization system, effective to 5-stops. When it is used on a camera with IBIS, an extra ½-stop of efficiency is possible.

This Z-mount lens is part of the baseline series of lightweight lenses. Still, Nikon ensure it could be a suitable lens for travel photography by making it weatherproof. At 725g, it is also one of the lightest long zoom lenses that offers Full-Frame coverage. The lens accepts standard 77mm threads and comes with a bayonet mounted lens hood. A customizable control-ring at its base can change multiple parameters and serve as a declicked aperture ring for videographers.

Shipping is expected next month for $1300 USD or $1700 CAD. Both Adorama and B&H Photo are already set to accept pre-orders. These reputable affiliates of ours will not charge your card until the product ships while ensuring to be among the first ones to receive it.

• Lens