Nikon Z 100-400mm Zoom - Real Use Review

[@SwanSycorax]

Great view and 100% agree with your assessment. I have had mine since early July and the very first shoot I did with it was at RIAT 2022 at Fairford in the UK, one of the biggest airshows in the world. I took over 5000 images with this lens on my Z9 and was seriously impressed by how good the performance of this lens was, how easy to handhold and how many "keepers" I came away with. My previous lens had been the F-mount 200-500 and the extra size and weight of that lens had impacted on my ability to hold the lens steady throughout pans (I am 73!!) throughout a whole air-display so really pleased to have this lens. Now just longing for my Z 800 PF to arrive!!!

[@bror9519]

Just bought the 100-400, and agree with your comments.Thanks for talking slowly with clear voice.

[@cliftonwhittaker260]

I have the older 70-400 Nikon. I've had it many years and use it almost every day. I mostly go out hunting birds but sometimes I'm after flowering plants and sometimes even street photography. It has progressed from the D-200, D-300, D-800E and has been on the D-850 since it first hit the market. It just gets better with every step-up in camera quality. I couldn't begin to estimate how many hundreds of thousands of images I have made with it and it still looks great with no blemishes and still makes sharp and beautiful bird pictures. If I ever replace it it will be with the Z100-400 and a new mirrorless camera. It is easy to carry, focuses fast, and had the right zoom range for hand held work.

[@eefvelthorst4127]

Very nice vlog. A lot of useful information told in a calm way. Not only the pros but also emphasizes the cons. Not ever reported. Compliments. Please go on this way.👍👍👍

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Glad it was helpful! I'll do my best to continue.

[@danb821]

Thank you for putting out this video. I’m kind of paralyzed with the decision of this zoom lens or the 400mm f4.5 prime lens. I love the flexibility of the 100-400 for when I’m out hiking and do a mix of landscape and wildlife but I also really like the extra 2/3 stop of light, the smoother bokeh and sharpness of the prime. Wish I could afford both! If you have any thoughts I would be interested to hear, otherwise thanks for the great review!

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks for the comment. I don't have any experience with the 400/4.5 but I'm sure it's tack sharp. I almost never weight the pros and cons of a zoom versus a prime, because for me they are not similar. As you said, the flexibility of the zoom versus the (slightly) better sharpness of the prime - that's a fundamental decision. I will tell you that the 100-400 is extremely sharp - it is an "S" line lens.

[@davidrennolds969]

Straight forward and informative review. Thanks

[@markusbolliger1527]

Excellent presentation Dave of this (almost...) every-purpose- lens! Until now I was still undecided - but after watching your plea I am conviced that it is a must-have for my nature- and landscape photography. Best regards from Switzerland.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks! Yes, I went from "I don't really need that", to "I need to bring this every shoot". It ticks a lot of boxes! Give my regards to all things Swiss.... oh, and send chocolate! :-)

[@sebastianmichalski5318]

Great video Dave. Very nice photos.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thank you!

[@stevelink3]

Hi Dave, Thank you for your thoughful and informative review of this great lens! As a landscape, product and wildlife photographer, I use the Z8 with the Nikkor Z 180-600 f/5.6-6.3, with pretty good results. However, based on your comments and some research, aside from my initial thought of superior sharpness of the 100-400, my other reason for wanting to trade the 180-600 towards the 100-400, is simply that it is quite a bit easier to handhold in the field (when not using a tripod or monopod). I recently borrowed it from a friend who has both lenses, and I was impressed by the ergonomics and relative ease of handholding (and still having the option to shoot in DX mode, bringing the equivalent focal length (at 400) to close to 600mm.) Not to mention the ability to shoot at a lower ISO at 400, permitting better results if cropping is required. So, have you ever done a comparison between these 2 fantastic lenses? Thank you, and Happy Holidays!

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks for the kind words. I have thought about doing a comparison, but since the focal length range is so different it might be hard to directly compare. However, I do have a personal preference and might share what and why.

[@formicapple2]

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have recently sold my mirror cameras and lenses to buy mirrorless Nikons. I needed a telephoto lens for sports and wildlife photography. I have been considering this lens. Your review has convinced me to purchase it.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mr09260]

Great Video Dave ..you always cover all the bases

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks 👍

[@dah7772]

I have been going back and forth about getting this lens and 1.4 TC for airshow as well so thank you for the review. I love my 80-400 but the Z lens are just so much better its hard not to jump in and get one.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stefanlear]

Great to hear your thoughts on the lense. I'll be ordering soon. BTW, where can I get a lense coffee cup like that?

[@KnightsandWeekends]

I think I purchased the cup from Amazon. :)

[@davidlear9597]

Looking for a Z lens for aviation fast jets at low level, it’s a toss up between this lens or the 180-600mm. Great review.

[@kevinhinesphoto]

I received mine in December, and I haven’t left the house without it. My favorite Z lens so far.

[@eric00214]

Great video David, good info! Nice sleuthing to finds it at B&C camera. That gives people some help on how not just looking in driving distance for gear! and great examples of the sharpness of that lens

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks! I'd love to buy local, but unless you live in a metro area that's not an option for many people. B&C really impressed me with their attitude and service, and they are now on my 'go to' list.

[@stevenwaldstein2249]

Thank you for sharing your thought on this lens. I did finally get my copy after waiting three and a half month for it. Also interested in comparing this to the F mount adapted AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR if your inclined. I’m trying to do that now as well.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

That would be a somewhat limited comparison, but a good one. I might do that.

[@jrperezphotography]

HI DAVE, IVE BEEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS LENS BUT WITH THE TAMRON 50-400 JUST ANOUNCED FOR HALF THE PRICE AND THE GOOD REVIEWS IM TEMPTED TO WAIT FOR THE RELEASE OF THE TAMRON. TOU CANT ATTACHED ENTENDERS TO THE TAMRON BUT THATS NOT A BIG DEAL FOR ME. ANY THOUGHTS ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THAN YOU

[@KnightsandWeekends]

So hard to answer this for another person. I don't know what your typical uses would be, or what your tolerance is for sacrifice. I will say that I have nothing against Tamron lenses, but I would not expect the sharpness, consistency, or integrity level of the Nikkor S-line glass. That said - for most occasions, the Tamron should be good and will save you lots of money.

[@robertgrant1509]

Sir, Thank you for the detailed recommendation. Glad to hear you were satisfied with both the 1.4 & 2.0 TC on the 100-400, if I understood correctly. Great images of the Air Show with the lens. Please consider a video with pointers regarding how you captured the aerial images you did. Thanks!!

[@KnightsandWeekends]

I've mostly used the 1.4 with it. I don't think the 2.0 holds up with the same quality. That should be a separate video, to show that.

[@gregcorker2193]

Fantastic review!

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks much for watching!

[@davidcortese3300]

Thanks for your detailed review of the lens... "bit above my pay grade" as they say but I do get bits of (photography) knowledge from your presentations. Those airshow pix are spot-on (excellent) and shows a steady hand. It's a fine art, photography (cameras, lens, fstop, aperture, manual, auto, etc), and you are the sensei.... Cheers

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks very much! Your praise is beyond that of which I am worthy, but I appreciate the confidence. I also appreciate your comment about getting some general knowledge. I might try to do more of that sort of content, but I will confess that I don't feel qualified to "teach" and would feel arrogant doing so. That said, I do like to share knowledge and help if I can... something to consider.

[@pervaizkhan9712]

Is this lens work Nikon 810 or it only for mirror less camera thanks

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Only for mirrorless, or Z-mount bodies. There is no adapter to fit a Z lens to an F body.

[@TerryKontopoulos]

Hey Dave, thanks for the review! I have both the 70-200 and the 100-400 and the two TC but still I can't decide if I will keep one of them or both.... Decisions - decisions... 😉😁 The 560mm FL and the f2.8 Aperture are both so much enricing!!!

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Same here, but for me there is always a place for the 70-200 f/2.8. Back when I did weddings and portraits, that was bread and butter - also for photojournalism and sports.

[@apostraffstudio]

Great review, great lens, great photos. Thank you. There is an opinion that this lens is also suitable for portrait photography, who likes to use long focal length lenses. Could you confirm this idea? Thank you in advance for your response.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks for the kind words! I haven't really done any portraits with the lens, but it would absolutely be good for that. The clarity and sharpness are fantastic, and at focal lengths from 100 - 150 or so it would perform much like a conventional portrait lens and has the aperture range to provide nice soft backgrounds and excellent sharpness.

[@apostraffstudio]

@@KnightsandWeekends Thank you for your answer and your opinion!

[@PurrsPlace]

I thought that was a coffee mug by the way you were holding it! Hah! =)

[@agrnbrg]

Who's new lens bracket did you install?

[@KnightsandWeekends]

The foot is ProMediaGear.

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Excellent commentary.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thank you very much

[@royklein9206]

Great video but is it me or do I hear a constant high pitched noise in the background? Sounds a bit like a faint wind blowing through a narrow opening..

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Apologies if the audio had issues. I try to be sure it is clean and will be more careful in the future.

[@royklein9206]

@@KnightsandWeekends hahah no problem! Was constructive crit.😊👍

[@KnightsandWeekends]

@@royklein9206 Appreciated. I know how important good audio is and I try to get it right, though I'm no expert. The feedback is helpful. Get it.... audio.... feedback..... LOL.

[@danb821]

Thank you for putting out this video.

[@dominiclester3232]

Thanks Dave! I saw another youtuber who said his copy was soft at distances...can you confirm or deny please? Thanks.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

I have not experienced that - it's been tack sharp. I would suspect something other than the lens is his problem - like heat shimmer. 99% of photographers don't understand that situation.

[@mattiasbacklund5617]

@@KnightsandWeekends great answer! Compare with under water photo, visibility is very limited even in clear waters. In the atmosphere, there is dust, smog, and as you say, heat distorsion.

[@vimalneha]

Good review because it had best pictures 🙂

[@photo-markus]

Have you sold your 70-200? Do you use this one only with 1.4 X TC? I own the 70-200, the 2x TC And Z9…and hesitate between this one and the 500pf…

[@KnightsandWeekends]

I still have the 70-200 because there is always a place for that lens! The sharpness and speed as well as the shallow DoF make it a great portrait or still life lens. I do generally keep the Z1.4TC on the 100-400 because that is the sweet range for me, but if light becomes an issue I'll take it off and get that stop back. The 500PF is a fantastic lens, but I have to confess I don't use it since I got the 800PF. But I just can't bring myself to get rid of it, at least not yet.

[@Mr09260]

Im waiting for the 400mm f4.5 to go with my 70-200S plus 1.4 c Z convertor for my African Wild Life >> this 100 - 400 Z is way better than my old DSLR 80-400 which I loved

[@Mr09260]

The same Kirk foot goes on the 70-200 and 400 f4.5 as well so as I have a Kirk foot for the 70-200 I wont get another one

[@KnightsandWeekends]

The 400/4.5 looks like a good lens. If I were shooting sports again I would be interested in that one. But I have the 500PF and the 100-400 zoom fills all the needs below that. It's very nice to see Nikon releasing a good variety of options!

[@dougcampbell6509]

Late to the party but you state that the balance changes as you zoom in or out. Not true as this lens has what Nikon terms “Inner Balance Technology” which insures the center of gravity does not change. In my experience, this feature definitely works.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

I may have made that statement based on the fact that the lens telescopes. That would be my error for making too quick an assumption... appreciate your feedback on it.

[@t.k.1448]

Gear aside, those air show photos were fantastic. The comment about changing balance is not accurate according to Nikon's information: the movement of the internals counteract the movement and changing center of gravity due to barrel extension. Otherwise I also wish it was an internal zoom; the dust/moisture ingress is not to be underestimated.

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Thanks. It could be a misperception on my part (expecting the change, therefore feeling it). I'll have to carefully evaluate that again. Appreciate the comment.

[@MysterPapa]

Haha the coffee !

[@bradleyzimmerman4184]

I think that every photographer should run out and buy the 100-400mm f4-f5.6 before (following the current trend) they become a 100-400mm f11-f32! I give it another 3-5 years before this happens though. ;D

[@KnightsandWeekends]

It does seem that way, but I think they are trying to satisfy different market segments. If they only release $10k and up lenses they will start losing customers.

[@mrtings]

I’d love to see what 800mm looks like at the minimum focus distance 😂😂😂

[@KnightsandWeekends]

Challenge accepted!