In the Field with the Nikon 28-400mm Lens

My pre-order for the Nikon 28-400mm lens arrived almost two weeks ago! Of course Nikon announces this lens after I just did a video on my preferred one lens Nikon travel setup, but this new lens looks to potentially solve my biggest complaint about the Nikon 24-200mm lens.
This is actually my second attempt at this video, I didn’t like the direction the first video went, I prefer in the field reviews and not “clinical” testing, there are many people and websites that do a much better job at digging into the technical specifics. I prefer more of a how does the photography gear actually do in the field, that’s what really matters.
That’s what this video is - an outing with the Nikon 28-400mm lens to a couple of locations where I capture a variety of images in the field. Then I bring the images back to the office and do a brief review of how they came out.
Nikon 28-400mm f/4-8 Len:geni.us/FIYkK
[Note: Some links featured here are affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase, I will make a commission on the product and or service at no additional cost to you.]
Google Drive Link With the Images:
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
🎥 Videos Referenced
My Nikon One Lens Setup for Landscape Photography - • My Nikon One Lens Trav...
5 Essential Tips for Protecting Your Camera in the Rain - • 5 Essential Tips for P...
Tamron 70-300mm for the Nikon Z Mount - • Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-...
Six Months with the Tamron 70-300mm - • Six Months with the Ta...
Histogram Basics for Landscape Photography - • Histogram Basics - Lan...
Content:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Nikon 28-400mm Specs
04:52 - Ash Cave - Spot 1
08:39 - Ash Cave - Spot 2
11:33 - The Hollow - Flower Portraits
15:24 - The Hollow - The Gorge
18:34 - Office Image Review
30:38 - Wrap Up
🛠️ Photography Workshop Information
jeffreytadlock.com/workshops
📬 Want a FREE copy of my Guide to Better Landscape Photos? Follow this link to get it! jeffreytadlock.ck.page/better...
✅ Subscribe for more helpful videos: kzbin.info...
📸 GEAR LISTS - PHOTO and VIDEO
Some links featured here are affiliate links, including Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase I will make a commission on the product and or service at no additional cost to you.
MY PHOTO GEAR
Main Photography Camera - geni.us/zkJs
Backup Photography Camera - geni.us/s1O2ME
Wide Angle Lens - geni.us/9LNFdRE
Telephoto Lens - geni.us/sX0yX
Super Telephoto Lens - geni.us/dHVL
Magnetic Filters - geni.us/cHwG
Main Tripod - geni.us/VfrVK
Current Ballhead - geni.us/9AKK87
Travel Tripod - geni.us/8jzZ
Main Camera Bag - shimoda-designs.j8ujgp.net/3eOBvd
Travel Camera Bag - shimoda-designs.j8ujgp.net/6eq0YG
L-Bracket - geni.us/hfiM
Cleaning Accessory - geni.us/nf0wV
MY VLOGGING GEAR
Main Video Camera - geni.us/7FfZv0
Vlogging Camera - geni.us/mCWakh
Action Camera - geni.us/wKIpbNS
Drone - geni.us/QZwLB
Wireless Audio - geni.us/khU7AKX
Backup Audio - geni.us/EFuiEg
Travel Video Tripod - geni.us/NisMl
Office Video Tripod - geni.us/Ag9F
MISC TOOLS AND SERVICES
Epidemic Sound - share.epidemicsound.com/7j7f0v
Find me on Social!
➡️ Instagram: / jeffrey_tadlock
➡️ Facebook: / jeffreytadlockphotography
➡️ Website: jeffreytadlock.com

[@LepeOlmedo]

Thanks a lot for this amazing review! 🙌

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertdavis1255]

Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😀

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ericerickson6537]

I got mine 2 weeks ago and so far have just used it to photograph kids soccer games, but I’m impressed. Still planning on keeping the 24-200 since that is a bit lighter and more compact. A better walk around lens. But this is a great telephoto lens when I don’t want to carry the 100-400. Anxious to try it with birds and wildlife.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I will probably keep my 24-200mm for a while. Not so much that I think I will use it a whole lot, but that I am terrible at selling off old gear... But, yes - it is just a bit more compact, a little lighter - so probably does lend itself better to walk around lens. I do have a picture of a deer I took with the 28-400mm. When I was out recording a video, I ended up being able to snap a shot of one. (I don't generally do a lot of wildlife, but they just pretty much walked up to me!). Enjoy the lens!

[@wesdonze2014]

Very good review thanks

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Glad it was helpful!

[@russellyeley2561]

Looks like hocking hills is not crowded yet. I live in Springfield, but I don't get down there enough.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Oh - it gets crowded! I just get out there super early and try to be gone before the crowds show up!

[@uncle0eric]

I got mine about 3 weeks ago. I like it well enough that I sold my 24-200. One of the things that gave me an extra push on keeping this is the recent improvements in denoise software, since there are conditions where using this lens handheld really requires kicking up the ISO.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Great point about the denoise software, definitely big strides for options there. I also use DxO Pure RAW sometimes, especially with the 24-200 - just a touch better handling of the corners just in the raw processing aspect. I think that was the biggest complaint I had about the lens, that the ISO really needs to go up to support some handholding conditions. Even with that, having 28mm to 400mm focal length in one lens makes it near perfect for lighter loads or trips where you want to keep the pack size down. Enjoy the lens!

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Thanks for INFO - likely to pick up one of these later date when there's a special pricing promotion £1399 in UK is pretty expensive - as the 180-600 is only a few ££ / $$ hundred more; yes the lens is all in one for lot of use cases and got a superb Zoom ration of 14x but price is my deal breaker

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@dafyddthomas7299 Unfortunately it is a bit of a commitment with the price on it. Feels just a touch on the high side despite the flexibility it has. I think if the variable aperture wasn't f/4-8 and more like f/4 to 5.6 or 6.3 it might have helped on how the price felt.

[@dafyddthomas7299]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography True on this.

[@barrakimanta]

unrelated to this video but i noticed you are using the shimoda and in the description it says you have both. Which of the shimoda packs would say is better for backpacking?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

For backpacking, I'd lean towards the Action v2, definitely on the larger side. Mine is a 50L. The roll top is a nice feature to expand the bag and help accommodate some of the gear you'd use backpacking. I typically only due day trips though with mine and have not used it on a backpacking trip. Several of my friends who do more backpacking type photography trips lean towards full-on backpacks - Osprey's etc, and then use camera cubes to protect their camera gear in that. Hope that helps!

[@USGrant21st]

I have this lens on order, but I'm getting more skeptical every day as the new reviews appear. Apart from being very slow pushing ISO into thousands, the image quality looks unremarkable.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I think a lot really depends on expected usage of the lens. It certainly isn't going to replace my normal carry of a 14-30, 24-120, and 100-400 on trips where photography is the primary purpose. For trips where the photography is secondary, there is an appeal of covering a large focal range without needed to take 2 or 3 lenses along. There are certainly some compromises though.

[@USGrant21st]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography I personally use wide angle lenses a lot more often than telephoto. I wouldn't take a large superzoom when traveling either. The only reason I'm looking at this lens is for things like birds when hiking, zoo animals, or when taking my dog to a beach. Otherwise I don't really need telephoto, I have Sigma 100-400 lens and I rarely used it.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@USGrant21st These days, I almost use the 100-400 more than my wide-angle. I will say, I used to have the Sigma and the image quality on that lens is pretty great for the price point. Really enjoyed that lens!

[@russellschundler6559]

In the past, I had the three F2.8 zoom lenses. That was important in a time we didn’t have the software function we have today. When I want a narrow depth of field, I can use Lightroom’s blur function. When I want to shoot in low lighting without a tripod, I can raise my iso without having grain or if I get some brain, I can remove it. So given these added post processing capabilities, and more, I won’t mention right now, I find this single lens to be very satisfactory for most landscape photography. I’ve also found it to be highly suitable for sports photography.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Software and technology of the camera sensors has come a long way! I still like my 2.8s for portraiture and such, but for landscape photography the f/4 and some of the variable aperture lenses are a nice blend of being lighterweight, a little smaller, and still providing what I need. I was a little worried about how the 28-400 would do with sports, especially when shooting 300mm+ with it being f/8 and possibly wanting to speed the shutter up to stop motion. Glad to hear it is working well!

[@chrisowens6161]

interesting you also have the 100-400 - do you feel this lens was a great addition - i do like my 100-400, but find it difficult travelling overseas if i'm travelling light, just from sheer size - so am thinking of the 28-400 as its so much shorter when compacted. I've been taking my 24-200 with me travelling and got some great shots, so hoping this would be the "big brother" of that

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I love my 100-400, but as you said - it certainly isn't a small lens or lightweight. When my trip is photography focused, I have no issues lugging it along as the image quality of the 100-400 is great and I've really grown to like. But, when traveling where photography isn't the primary reason, I still like to have good camera gear with me, but don't really want to take my "holy trinity" of lenses with me. So like you, I used the 24-200mm for that purpose. It had good enough image quality (fairly remarkable actually) and gave me a lot of flexibility. My biggest concern of course was, I like that 200-400mm focal length! I have similar hopes as you for this 28-400. It isn't too heavy, still pretty compact, and gives me an impressive focal range. I still want more time with the lens before my final judgment (hoping to take it to Arizona next month for a good test), but so far the lens is promising for just the need you've described.

[@energydw8260]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography how far behind is this length compared to the 100-400? really worrying if I'm gonna miss out some good shot if I only carry a single 28-400. I would of course carry a prime for family portrait no matter what. But just for landscape stuff, will this be able to match 80% of 100-400? I already have a 24-120 f4 with my nikon zf. Thinking about getting this one or the 100-400. Am I gonna eventually have to get the 100-400? I'm only doing photograph for fun and Instagram show off.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

@@energydw8260 Camera Labs did a really good comparison with some charts between the 28-400mm, 24-200mm, and 100-400mm, well worth checking out - here's a link to their comparison page: www.cameralabs.com/nikon-z-28-400mm-f4-8-vr-review/2/ I'm comfortable enough to travel with the 28-400mm as my only lens on trips where photography is not the primary purpose and am sure it will work for that. With that said, if the trip is more for photography, I'd be grabbing the 100-400mm for sure. Given your current lens setup, I'd be tempted by the 100-400, you cover about the same focal length across two lenses, but you have some really nice Nikon Z mount glass. Hope that helps some!

[@karlosJv]

Hello, is it suitable for Nikon Z NIKKOR ZTC-2.0X Teleconverter? Thank you

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

The lens is not compatible with the 1.4x or 2x teleconverter.

[@britt5126]

Hi, what model tripod are you using?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

It is an FLM CP30-L4. I also have an FLM CP30-S4, which isn't as tall that I use for travel. They are great tripods - highly recommend checking them out. I have a few videos about them on my channel.

[@koreancryptoking]

Is this lens compatible with high-pixel bodies such as z8, z7ii, and z9?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I've been using it on a z7ii and it has been doing fine. I have not tried it on a Z8 or Z9.

[@koreancryptoking]

thanks sir!

[@piotrch0]

5:31 Aw, come on! Where're the camera settings for the photo shown?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

They are on the screen during the setup of the photo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZWWqnRnrL6NorMsi=tucOHjBBgVdg1eQU&t=305

[@cgriggsiv]

I'll tell you one thing my good man if that lens had the adapter or a adapter that will go from the z mount to a K-mount For me that would be absolutely awesome That would definitely lighten a mass of amount of load

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I’m hoping this 28-400 becomes my travel lens. I used to use the 24-200 for that, but I do like shooting longer focal lengths quite frequently, so the extra reach on this one will be nice!

[@karlosJv]

Hello, can you use macro?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

It is not a true macro lens. At the widest focal length it has a decent minimum focusing distance of .2m, but not a 1:1 magnification ratio.

[@mohandasrms4905]

Is it compatible with Zfc

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yes - the lens is a Z mount which is compatible with the Z mount on the Zfc.

[@cgriggsiv]

Not too many people in Ohio that shoot photography that are on KZbin I was on KZbin for a little while very very short while but I'm glad that other people are there

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

There doesn’t seem to be many Ohio YT’ers doing landscape photography, that’s for sure!

[@kiykim277]

Compared to 28-200mm how is the IQ?

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

I still need more time with the 28-400mm to really weigh in on that, I suspect it will be close between the two, probably slight edge to the 24-200 in the focal lengths they share. Camera Labs did a good comparison between the 24-200, 28-400, and the 100-400 thrown in there for fun. Probably worth taking a look at that for more info. Hope that helps!

[@cgriggsiv]

Not a bad lens I also see that you are down at Hocking hills

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Yep! Down at Hocking Hills! I end up testing a good amount of gear down there!

[@cgriggsiv]

Also if you live down there by Hocking hills you're very lucky

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Only about an hour-ish away. I consider it my local stomping grounds though as it is an easy drive to go down for the morning and make it back home to be productive!

[@hakangocerler3040]

I would like to see some animal zooms or some sports action. May be surfers? Otherwise, it's hard to feel the necessity of a long zoom lens, to be honest.

[@JeffreyTadlockPhotography]

Definitely! I don't do a lot of wildlife or sports photography anymore, so I tend to focus on landscape photo applications (I tend to use a 100-400 a lot). I do have one wildlife photo, on one of my video takes I had a deer wander up to me and I took a photo or two with this lens - but really, it was so close, I get I only had to go to about 100mm to 105mm.

[@hakangocerler3040]

@@JeffreyTadlockPhotography Thank you for the kind reply Sir