28-400mm!!! Is this the BEST EVER Landscape Photography Lens?

Testing the 28-400mm Lens in the Dolomites
SQUARESPACE - Get 10% off (and 14 days free): www.squarespac...
Get my calendar - www.nigeldanso...
Seascapes Book - geni.us/seascapes
Sign up for my FREE newsletter here - geni.us/nigeln...
KZbin viewers get $100 off Mastering the Art of Landscape Photography - www.nigeldanso...
Where I get my AWESOME MUSIC - geni.us/amazin...
Kase Filters (my fav filters) - geni.us/Kase | And use code NIGEL for 5% off
Instagram (follow my daily stories) - / nigel.danson
NIKON GEAR (Main STILLS camera)
Current landscape camera - Nikon Z8 - geni.us/nikonz8
Awesome telephoto lens - Nikon 70-200m f/2.8 - geni.us/nikon70200
Great ultra-wide angle lens - Nikon 14-30mm f/4 - geni.us/1430mm
Hiking mid lens - Nikon 24-70mm Z f4 - geni.us/nikon2470
Sharpest mid lens - Nikon 24-70mm Z f2.8 geni.us/2470mm28
Very long lens - Nikon 500mm F5.6 - geni.us/nikon5...
FILM GEAR
AWESOME DRONE - geni.us/dji_ma...
Nikon Z6 - geni.us/z6nikon
Nikon 20mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon2...
Nikon 24mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon24mm
Nikon 50mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon5...
Nikon 85mm Z F1.8 - geni.us/nikon8...
OTHER PHOTO GEAR
Clever camera strap (peak design) - geni.us/PDstrap
Microfibre Cloths - geni.us/microf...
Rab Downpour Pants - geni.us/rainpants
Awesome sensor brush - geni.us/brush4...
GorillaPod - geni.us/Kb9mV
The great printer I use Canon P1000 - geni.us/cIIc
Great bag for hiking - Tenba 24L - geni.us/orPwh
Great bag for travel (carry on) - Tenba 32L - geni.us/tenba32l
Super light Benro Travel Tripod UK - geni.us/Benrot...
A must have for tripod (L bracket) - geni.us/myLbra...
Lightweight tripod - Benro Mach3 Carbon Fiber Tripod - geni.us/benrom...

[@SueFerreira75]

Thank you for bringing the beauty of the mountains into my home. Now in my late 70s and with a gammy knee, my days of hiking the high mountains are numbered and I miss these days so much. Giving some of the flatter trails in the Canadian Rockies a try in September to recharge me for the winter months - thanks again for your wonderful talent and skills.

[@Zanagash]

This is the kind of review I like. I have been thinking of buying this lens as I can not afford the 100-400mm and I do not like its size. Now I know I can buy the 28-400 and go out with only 2 lenses (a wide angle and this one) and come back with pictures that I can print ! Straight to the point review ! Thank you.

[@KenNewhouse]

I love my 28-400....you won't regret it!

[@mitchellmysliwiecphotography]

Can't agree more! I enjoy backpacking, and have moved from the 14-30, 24-120, and 100-400 (tamron) to just the 14-30 and the 28-400. The 28-400 is way better at 400 than the tamron. (if we are car camping or the hike is short, I'll still sneak the 24-120 in my bag... I would rather shoot with that one, but would rather not carry it up a mountain to shoot with it. ). Your shots, as always, were spectacular.

[@sandrobedinobrecht8509]

Hello Nigel, I watched the video not for the lens or technical details, but because it’s my home. Please allow to give som futher Information on the place....I believe it’s important to know what you’re seeing when you visit a place. The Three Peaks are iconic. From your vantage point, you first see Torre Preuss, named after Paul Preuss, an Alpinist, between the Western Pinnacle (Cima Ovest, 2973 m) and the Small Pinnacle (Cima Piccola, 2857 m). Other notable peaks in the massif include Punta di Frida (2792 m). You’re standing on the beginning of Monte Paterno, a mountain with passageways and embrasures, which was a battleground during WWI between Austrians and Italians. Therefore there are a lots of Stones with Symbols and CHapels on the way up. You have to imagine, they walked up there and fightes even during winter. Another impressive range is the Cadini di Misurina, located in the province of Belluno, Italy. This climber’s paradise is bordered by Lake Misurina to the west, the Three Peaks to the north, and Val d’Ansiei to the south and east. When you stand up there, you see also the Monte Cristallo on the right. The highest peak here is Cima Cadin di San Lucano (2839 m). Unfortunately, overtourism and drone usage have driven away wildlife. Thanks to Reinhold Messner, a toll was introduced on the pass road a few years ago, which still people are complaining about the price. I think it should be even more expensive. Before you drive up to the CIme, its worth to make a stop at the Lake Misurina, with the old Hotel and the Sorapiss Mountain in the back. Best Time for Visit ist October, before the Snows fall. And then normally between November and June, Nature gets this place back fpr themselve.

[@mikkiscott9995]

Great to see you back, Nigel! Love the video! Your enthusiasm always makes me smile. That location is amazing!

[@kencawley3121]

I love my new 28-400 lens. Bought it about 3 weeks ago for a workshop in Utah and Arizona last week. My pack was so much lighter with just it on my Z7ii and my wide angle on my Z5. The lens’ weight was the biggest reason I bought it. I broke my wrist a few years ago so struggle handheld with my 100-400. I did far more handheld shots than i have on any previous trip. I mostly shot a little wide with plans to crop to compensate for the edge softness.

[@andpenn]

It pairs up really well with the 14-30 f4. The 28-400 with the 14-30 has become my favourite travel combo.

[@CB_photography]

I could feel your excitement just watching and it made me excited to go take photos. Thanks Nigel.

[@robertgrenader858]

Amazing images, and that black/white mountain scape at 9:09 was unreal.

[@stretchini]

Hi Nigel, Excelento as usual! You've convinced me on the Z 28-400, now for the Z6iii body... I'll be keeping my D850 though. Thanks again for your clarity of images and description. Cheers from NZ! I'm 76 and just finished a finished shooting a huge mountain biking event, so sitting down to edit 2000 images using your inspiration as motivation.

[@MadsPeterIversen]

What a fantastic collection of photos you got from Tre Cime! NOT jealous at all! :D

[@paullecomtenz]

Nigel I can't thank you enough for this. I've been rocking a 28-300 (f-mount) on my Z7ii (if it's good enough for Jay Masiel, it's good enough for me), but this is a lands I am planning to get this year (the Z8 body can wait). This has convinced me this is the right thing to do. I'm a guy who likes to take just a body with my super zoom, tripod & some spare batteries, the 28-300 meets so many of my needs, urban, street, landscape & astro (yes astro), so I really need to upgrade to this (native z mount too). Cheers fella, really appreciate this. Great video as always & brilliant to see the family!

[@jonglaser4468]

thanks for the review. Yes , I am late to the party here and just pulled the trigger on the 28-400. I am hoping that with Topaz photo it will be comparable to my 100-400 in lens quality.

[@Chulagial]

Just got one of these lenses and glad you did a review on it! I don’t feel so bad now for getting yet another lens! The images are amazing. Thanks for all your wonderful videos!

[@niksiotv6204]

Absolutely great video 😃 This year finally I could see the beauty of the Dolomites through my eyes. Stunning place and can't wait to come back there soon.

[@dannywhittington2094]

Very inspirational! Beautiful! I love your enthusiasm. I’m retired and just getting into photography as a hobby and this inspires me to get out there. Bravo!

[@RichardEllaPhotography]

Great to see you back. Spectacular scenery. Hope your back is feeling better and you recover well from your adventures.

[@michaelstewart6857]

Outstanding video, Nigel. The combination of the spectacular Dolomites and your enthusiasm over the conditions during sunrise/sunset made this special. Also nice to see that your family accompanied you. I have the 28-400, 24-120, and 14-30 lenses, (among others) and for each of my recent trips I've gone through the mental debate over whether to take the 28-400 or 24-120 (reach vs. better photographic quality), along with the 14-30. I've got a trip to New Mexico coming up and am once again having trouble deciding on which of those two to bring. I will say that the 24-120 was terrific at the Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion. Cheers!

[@HansKruse]

Thanks Nigel for a great video. The Dolomites are amazing and I have done workshops there for almost 15 years now and never get tired of these locations.

[@JosephBartalisPhotography]

Since I bought this lens the Z 28-400/f4 it became my favorite one and my everyday lens only I take it off if I use my 200-500 mm withe 1.4 teleconverter. This lens is good for all photography from macros to Landscape. I used it on my Z7 and now steady on my Z8 the main reason is because I photograph handheld most of the time and it is super light.

[@laurelb8372]

Thanks for showing what this lens can do. Punches above it’s weight 😉. Bought one a few weeks ago to replace heavier 100-400 Sigma, good for birding and surf shots as well. No regrets

[@adamcooper7936]

I have the tamron 18-400 for my d5600 and I love it. I use it most of the time and when I want something if it’s darker I have the sigma 18-35 f1.8 which is a brilliant lens for low light.

[@SebastianReick]

Dolomites are really a great place to be. Wonderful photos, and glad that you managed to make this video, despite your back issues.

[@carljarvinen1189]

Thanks for this video, backs up my purchase of the 28-400. Plan on bringing this lens to Africa next April as a back-up lens and allows my wife to have a camera and lens to shot to her hearts content…

[@tzvetanzlatanov6349]

So beautiful and inspiring, thank you for the joy!

[@jal2550]

The shot at 9:06 is jaw dropping. I had no clue this lens existed, as Ive stopped looking at lenses with my purchase of the 24-120 which is amazing. Will have to look at this lens though!

[@nikosulek893]

Thank you so much for this review! I’ll definitely be checking out this lens. I love my 24-120 but would love to get up to 400. Great pics as always. Love to see your joy while taking photos. Very inspiring.

[@desgardner7169]

What a fantastic place to take your family for a holiday and to do a bit of blogging or should I say photography, and when you got that apple out I thought here we go again how far is that apple going to go down that hill? (I have not forgot that Incident) but no you ate it! Your pictures were wonderful, and that lens 28-400mm looks good. Thank you for sharing you holiday with us all....

[@ericbatson280]

I have the 28-400 lens and love it! I took it with my Z-5 to Iceland last month and was not disappointed in my photos. I used it with my Cotton carrier and used it as a one and done lens. My 24-70 stayed in the bag. There were a few places that a wide angle lens would have been better, so I will look try to add one with this one. Your photos of the Dolomites looked incredible!

[@chrishopkins8987]

Very interesting video Nigel, I'm on the other side of the Nikon fence with the Z50 and the 18-140/12-24 as my travel kit duo. I've always loved shooting in the Dolomites around Misurina, and often find 210mm to be a sweet spot for length. The 18-140 is also often overlooked, but to me it's very good indeed.

[@leoneldp]

Great seeing you enjoy making this video. Epic landscapes, gorgeous light, an apple and absolutely amazing photos: that's what I call a classic Nigel Danson video. We only need Pebbles for next time 🐕

[@RobGaleSpecialVideos]

Wow now that's what I call being in the right place at the right time, epic conditions! Loving the photo with the tree branch, what a dream location, I hope to get there one day.

[@JohnHPettigrewFujishooter67]

Nigel I am at a crossroads with the photography at the moment,for years I shot Nikon going back to the days of film, changed to fujifilm a few years ago and was about to upgrade to the XT5, but then Nikon dropped the price on the Z6II so I have been playing with the idea of getting the Z6II with this exact lens to simplify my kit, thanks for the awesome review.

[@andy_simmo]

Coffee feet up 65 inch TV lights off and watching the the man in action - everyone needs their Nigel fix! ❤

[@timrosenburgh8597]

I enjoyed the video as usual Nigel. Wow what a fantastic place to visit and photograph. You were certainly blessed with the conditions. Fantastic image's as usual. Look forward to the next one.

[@alanwilson7792]

I was at Tre Cime last night, if you want to go in August be prepared for an absolute zoo getting there. You've never seen so many camper vans in your life around Misurina. We decided to try for late afternoon and drove in easily. We made it to the Rifugio car park around 6:15pm and it was nice and quiet. The light lasted until 8:20pm and finished up with a magical sunset casting light onto the peaks shown at 7:17 in the video. It really is a special place. We drove out in the dark and saw people in sleeping bags beside their cars plus campers at the side of the road for about 20kms outside the park gates. I guess they were getting ready for an early morning start. Oh and if you don't want to sit in a traffic jam for hours, avoid Cortina d'Ampezzo this time of year.

[@stanobert3475]

Wow! Gorgeous images! I recently purchased Nikon's 28-400mm, but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I am busy with client work now. I am glad that you mentioned taking a wide angle zoom along. I will now also bring along my Nikon 17-28mm for landscape photography.

[@alanbudge]

Stunning location and pictures, I particularly liked the shot at 11:00. Although I suspect the 24-120 is a far superior lens, I much preferred the shot from the 28-400 at 6:00 Great video.

[@SanoyNimbus]

I really love the 28-400mm. I will probably not use it for professional work ... but I have one at loan with a Nikon Z6III and took that with me on a holiday to Spain. I brought some other lenses, just in case. But never changed lens on the camera for 8 days.

[@NigelDanson]

I think it is fine for professional work

[@johnforbes4795]

I know you own the Nikon Z 24-200mm f4-6.3 and have taken some beautiful photos with that lens. I have been thinking about replacing my Z 24-200mm with the 28-400mm f4-8. I do most of my hiking with my Nikon Z 24-120 f4 S, which I love, but sometimes when hiking I wish for the longer focal length but I hesitate to also carry my Nikon Z 100-400mm f4.5-5.6. Are you thinking of swapping your Z 24-200 for the Z 28-400mm? I like your idea of carrying the Z 28-400mm with the Z 14-30mm f4.

[@barryobrien1890]

Wow. Your patience and years of preparation was rewarded handsomely. What great pictures. Nice

[@vlaney21]

Wow, wow, wow! Amazing shots, Nigel! This lens seems like a great alternative for when you need to pack light for long arduous hikes without compromising too much quality...I wish Canon had a lens like that : )

[@pavek]

Nice to see you Nigel in our Dolomites! What I found fun is the use of the term "hills" in the first part of the video, where any "lesser" top was actually higher than the highest british mountain 😄 Very nice shots, congrats!

[@waynerichard]

Nice video. Stunning location. Great to see the family with you. Nice job to the cameraman, whoever you recruited!

[@michaelhenson7511]

I hope you got a still shot of that video footage around the 9min mark where the cloud created a circle above the mountains. That was awesome to catch!

[@alexandrsakhno]

So incredible. Epic location and a great lens. Thank you.

[@MrSimonj1970]

I would add a tiny Viltrox 20mm for emergency wider needs without adding hardly any weight to your bag (amazingly cheap too). Great shots Nigel, thanks!

[@serendigity]

Suggestion for an episode. When you are out in the field such as here with gusts of wind and a lot of dust from the exposed slopes and the trails, and you are carrying multiple lenses, how do you avoid getting dust into the camera body and onto the sensor? You seem to change lenses quite often, so tips would be appreciated.

[@laurencedunkley8097]

Thanks Nigel, The Dolomites look fantastic along with the photo’s you took!

[@RobertGill-m1w]

First timer here love your photos nigel and am learning heaps i shoot with nikon mirrorless 24/120 keep the great photo.s coming

[@michaelst.9055]

I got the same combo, sold the 24-200 in favour of the 28-400 after doing a few comparison shots on the long end. You get so much more from the 400mm and the overlap with the 14-30 is also not that big anymore. Specifically for our trip to the Highlands in less than 2 weeks, I wanted as much reach as possible with the smallest weight possible also. Luggage for 3 weeks and weight limits on the flights are as restricting as not wanting to walk around with a 5kg photo equipment all the time. There is no question that specifically the 24-120 has a lot of favours and will still be my preferred choice for a lot of trips. But the small loss in quality on outdoor pictures gets completely paid by the option to get closer where you cannot do this by feet.

[@willemdebeer2507]

I have Tamron 18-400 f3.5-6.3 and its one of my favorite lenses. Pair it with my Canon 90D

[@paulseymour7485]

Excellent video and what an incredible location!!!!

[@johnlowe7097]

What a Epic landscape Nigel fantastic photos also enjoying your camper van build 😍

[@craigmaisfield3247]

Brilliant Nigel. What a place that is.. Great lens review too.

[@JohnCBurzynski]

I think that landscape photography is similar to real estate buying. Location, location, location. You could probably make an outstanding photo at the Dolomites with a hand made pinhole camera. That said, we have the 24-400 lens and really like it, and this was an outstanding review video. Thanks.

[@danw1207]

I'm glad you discovered the Dolomites. It is really spectacular as you images are.

[@richardrankin7488]

I ordered one in May and still waiting for it. Very popular so one must be patient.

[@mariamullin4031]

Amazing photos, scenery is stunning

[@swirly_magnolia]

Looks absolutely amazing Nigel excellent photos too ❤

[@MrHillboxx]

Just wanted to ask where you've been exactly, but Mads already named Tre Cime - so just thank you for another inspiring foto-hike and sharing your love!

[@ingabett]

Stunning! Both photos and location 🙌🏻

[@jaynepainter9743]

Stunning 🤩

[@andeeleininger5968]

Wonderful photos Nigel! You’re also a great cinematographer.

[@jimbruton9482]

Excellent video Nigel. So if you only want to carry one lens as a walkaround the 28-400 mm seems like and excellent option. That said, you needed a wide angle (14-30 mm) for some of your compositions. So in that case, carrying the wide angle zoom and if you already have the 100-400 mm telephoto zoom, would not that work just as well?

[@wendypronk3307]

Thank you so much for sharing these mountains and lens knowledge. Loved watching this video!

[@jarviszhang5021]

My God the first photo looks so amazing!! Can I have access to it? It's gonna be the wallpaper for my phone!

[@RH1812]

Stunning

[@dinnykelly6763]

Stunning work

[@Fotoe]

Stunning photo's of a stunning location

[@pmc7105]

I got the Tamron 28-200mm last year for a trip to lighten the load. Figured 28mm wasn't ideal but I'd deal with it. I was shocked at how often 28mm wasn't quite wide enough (even moving back as far as possible), but the 24mm would have worked in most cases (for the composition in question).

[@stigfloberghagenphotography]

Waited a long time for a new photo video. Superb 👌👍🙂

[@gailmager4147]

Beautiful place, and images, enjoy

[@jamesv.wilkerson30]

When you are in locations like this, do you ever take a day to just enjoy the beauty or do you always take your camera?

[@Myles995]

Love seeing you out, great video! This lens intrigues me... less gear in the field might be nice.

[@BetchelVisuals]

So many epic shots! Well done.

[@2007zodiac]

can't stop 'laughing" at your pictures!!!...simply Amazing!!!.....love your content!!!...

[@chrismacky7548]

I wish I had some clouds when I was shooting Misurina September last year!

[@StevePorter_au]

Cost and quality aside, one advantage of the 100-400 over the 28-400 is that you can use a teleconverter with the 100-400 to increase your reach for things like wildlife. You can't with the 28-400.

[@karyleianawildernesscapes]

That's an extra piece of gear (TCs) & technically you don't need it. If you have a FX/full-frame camera, you stick it into DX/crop-mode & the 28-400mm becomes 42-600mm 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 losing light/taking a hit in aperture (like you would using a TC).

[@RailandSky]

That scene at 9:30 wow!

[@frankwachter.]

Brilliant landscape, thank you for showing it. Greetings from Thuringia

[@Cervin_Suisse]

Very comprehensive and useful video, thank you Sir. You are saying that this lens, at the long end , offers a similar to the Nikkor 24-200, f 4/6.3 ? Did I understand correctly ? Did you try or know of a test comparing the Nikkor 28-400 with the Tamron 50-400 ?

[@ericerickson6537]

I own both the 24-120, 24-200 and 28-400 and trying to decide which to take to Scotland next week? Not sure I will also pack the 14-24 so may go for the 24-120 so I can get the wide shot. Going to the Hebrides on a cruise. Suggestion welcome?

[@karenbergmann209]

Amazing!! Gorgeous images!!

[@LikeOnFilm]

WOW!!! it's fantastic

[@AadidevSooknananNXS]

Absolutely beautiful!

[@Morrohg]

Was there just 4 weeks ago, so cool seeing you there :)

[@brianeibisch6025]

Brilliant shots. Absolutely stunning! Cheers

[@JasonLorette]

I'll stick with my favourite 24-120 S for now...maybe add the 100-400 sometime in the future. Those evening pics were spectacular! Love the 'space invaders' t-shirt!

[@EricYoung-m6g]

The 24-120 is a "system seller"

[@ReversusLaxus]

Do love my 24-120 too. Use the 100-400 for wildlife, but the 24-120 is my "go-to"/"always-on" lens 👍🏼

[@JasonLorette]

@@ReversusLaxus Same here, fabulous lens.

[@JasonLorette]

@@EricYoung-m6g it’s a fabulous lens, just for its versatility, bonus that it’s so good!

[@simplysaso]

I can’t say enough good things about the 100-400! 🙌🍀

[@MrMrgrindfather]

Amazing place, amazing photos! Greetings from Ukraine!

[@NigelDanson]

Thank you very much!

[@antonoat]

Great stuff Nigel, super images as always! Seems the lens is slightly compromised but there may be times when it’s a handy solution! 👏👍😀

[@radcoimbatore]

Awesome place and great lights , stunning photographs, keep it up buddy ❤. Wishes from India

[@StephenBridgett]

All around handy lens! Hard to get a bad shot in that location with any lens.

[@cinavik]

amazing light wow

[@jamespanter4060]

Fantastic shoot Nigel.

[@MountainMan69]

Fabulous photo's and nice review on the lens. Where about in the Dolomites were you - as the location looks epic.

[@JonasHagenfeldt]

Fantastic! My wife and I have planned to go to the Dolomites next summer. Where about where you Nigel?

[@marioszarifakis2693]

Great video with stunning pictures and good suggestions on how to compose a great picture. I am interested in a good telephoto lens and have the 24-120. Btw I have the 14-30 too…. Finally, I still cannot decide between the z100-400 and the 28-400, did you replace the 24-120 with the 28-400 or do you still use both?

[@tjsinva]

Great location. Given the price point, the lens has potential for some applications. Carry on. 👍🥂

[@BlueLeafKobo]

When you were bracketing the shaded flowers after the sun had just come up, were you doing just exposure or also focus stacking?

[@NigelDanson]

I was doing both...

[@DimaStranger]

Beautiful photos! Do you mind sharing where in Dolomites you were based?