THE BEST WILDLIFE TRAVEL LENS? NIKON Z 28-400 F/4-8 VR

[@AbhinavYadav-zm7ut]

Nikon marketing should start collaborating with this man. The best gear reviews on KZbin. I enjoy the longer videos where all my questions are answered.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks for the kind words

[@androdid9249]

​@@WILDALASKA I like a lot your reviews. Adding measures in metric system (like for the weight of the lens) would be nice for your international audience.

[@johnforbes4795]

I really appreciate your detailed appraisal of this Nikon Z 28-400 f/4-8 VR. I've watched a few other "introduction" type views, but nothing with your well-reasoned viewpoint.

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad it was helpful.

[@rickylbv4609]

Super video, thanks.

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you liked it!

[@ericbatson280]

I have this lens and Love it! I have traveled to Iceland and got incredible pics. It is very light and easy to carry all day with no trouble. I spent a $100 on a Cotton Carrier harness and it is amazing! Great review! I have already gotten the 1,300 out of mine.

[@WILDALASKA]

Great to hear!

[@guylorenzo5324]

Excellent review and really nice images, Scott! This lens is one I might have considered but already own the Nikon 100-400 F4-5.6 and 24-120 F4. They are both great IMO and I'm not about to replace them any time soon.

[@WILDALASKA]

Kind of where im at myself. Have a couple lenses that fit within that range, but one lens to over most of that range is still nice option.

[@Jviotr]

My goodness the things the latest cameras can do versus a D500/D7500.. those eagle shots look amazing!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@karlrubin2821]

Great video! What kind of water/rain protection would you recommend for shooting this under wet conditions?

[@WILDALASKA]

Lenscoat raincoat

[@dafyddthomas7299]

Good and fair review - adding one shortly and then gradually replace my other F tele lenses like 70-200 F2.8 & F4, 80-400 and 200-500 F5.6 with Z equiv.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@mikejordan9770]

Such an excellent review! Thank!

[@WILDALASKA]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sevemiller]

Really informative review! Thanks! I’m really impressed with what you were able to do with the small swallows and eagles in flight. When I saw this was an f/8 lens, I didn’t even consider that it would be useful for BIF, let alone small fast birds in flight!. But you proved me wrong! Do you have any thoughts about this 28-400 vs the Tamron Z-mount 50-400? I’m looking for an all around travel zoom for a New Zealand trip and would like to keep the weight down. Would be pairing it with either a Z6III or Z8 and would also bring a the Nikon Z 20/1.8S for low light astro. Thanks again!

[@WILDALASKA]

I like the 28-400 just due to having that 28mm

[@sevemiller]

Thanks! Yep, it would be nice to have that extra 28-50 and the weight difference definitely favors the Nikon. Thought I would want the extra 2/3 stop of light with the Tamron but your work shows that I won’t need it as much as I figured. Still amazed that the 28-400 performed so well with BIF! Thanks again!

[@bigdhav]

Beautiful images! I'm very impressed with both the Z6iii and the lens! Looking to maybe get this.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@kiwi2631]

I really like this lens and the results are far better than one would expect. My only “nervous” point is the air blowing in/out as you push/pull the zoom. I know it’s sealed but over time it makes me wonder. Otherwise, love it and the AF speed and image quality are great for this level of lens.

[@WILDALASKA]

Ive never had an external zoom get dust, moisture in it, but other have. Sand of it does just send it off for cleaning through Nikon. 😃

[@3DEditor]

Thanks for the review.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@DBWPhoto]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this vs the new 50-400 tamron for Z mount. It's a slight trade off (at least on the specs) of a little more weight on the Tamron, and less width, but more sharpness and light.

[@WILDALASKA]

If I can get a copy of it, I'll do that.

[@Endogamy]

F8 for 600mm lens is a must, indeed, thanks for the info and review!

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@sumit92artist]

I'm a sucker for Travel lenses like this. I've tried the larger 500 and 600mm lenses to shoot pictures while birding. Not for me. I need something lighter, portable that can also shoot the bugs close by and lenses like these fit the bill. I currently have a Tamron 18-400mm for Nikon DSLR. It takes a bit of skill to get good pictures out of it, but I absolutely love it for the versatility as I can get both Wildlife and family pictures out of it. Looking to move onto mirrorless, hence watching this video. Thanks for this review. Will definitely be looking into this one.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@RadAlzyoud]

I Agree with your assessment. I own this lens. I already have the 100-400 which I use less and less since I got the 28-400. Thanks for sharing.

[@WILDALASKA]

Thank for the info. Fun lens

[@amitkrupal1234]

Superb video, One question have you ever tried Tamron 18-300, I want to get back to photography but for only travel was considering A6100/6400 with 18-300 & maybe ultrawide prime/zoom. Later will upgrade to FF once I get to know what focal range I shoot most

[@WILDALASKA]

I haven't checked those combos out really. I'm mainly Canon and Nikon, but will venture into the Sony realm a bit when an interesting wildlife camera pops up.

[@OkwyUgonweze]

Great review ❤

[@WILDALASKA]

thx

[@dansouth2088]

I have the 24-200 and it's a great travel lens.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@mvp_kryptonite]

It’s so good that mirrorless bodies enable us to have smaller more compact lenses that weigh far less and raise the enjoyment factor. It can’t be underestimated and worth a try!

[@WILDALASKA]

Very much so.

[@davetv13]

Personally I'd go with the Tamron 18-400mm over this lens the f/s is much lower (4.5-6.3) which makes a difference with shutter speeds/ISO and the focal lens (being its a DX lens) gives you more reach. That lens has become my go to lens with the Z9 to photograph in zoos. Thanks for the great video and review.

[@WILDALASKA]

Yes DX lens and F mount also. So ya nah 🤪 for me.

[@letni9506]

I'm tempted to get this lens to use with the Z7. With crop mode or just cropping it's just about enough for the wildlife i come across. It's just a little bit on the pricey side though. If i could pick it up a bit cheaper used id be more tempted but as yet I've not seen one on MPB.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Great, accurate review thanks. I have the same view, a very versatile lens but too much to buy just for travel... When it's 850, we'll all get one for the bag.

[@WILDALASKA]

agree completely

[@johnhudson666]

Hi Scott Another great video How did you find this lens on the 45 mb sensor of the Z9. Is the quality comparable with the 180-600? Not sure which one to buy - am leaning towards the lighter lens for my wildlife walkabouts with the Z8

[@WILDALASKA]

So for general wildlife and the likes the 180-600 for focal reach and f stop, but if you hike a lot or travel a lot then the 28-400 is enticing. But if you are shooting amok of birds you will miss that 400+-600 range for sure. My advice is rent both and see how they work for what you are doing IQ is very good not he 28-400 on the z9.

[@johnhudson666]

@@WILDALASKA Hi Scott - Thanks for the advice - will rent both and make an informed decision - have a great day 😊😊

[@leemarkowitz4709]

Interesting video. You got some beautiful shots. Did you check by any chance if it has much focal length breathing on close subjects? (Meaning 400 mm isn’t really the same reach as on a 400 mm prime.)

[@WILDALASKA]

Almost no breathing. Min focus is VERY close especially @ 28mm (7" @ 28mm and 3.9' @ 400mm)

[@cpnock]

I have an equivelent lens for a Canon APS-C camera. Sigma 18-250 (FF 29-400mm). Got it about 10 years ago and used it as my daily lens for a few years till I went to the Canon M series. Found it out today, put it on the R7 via the RF-EF adaptor and the results, on static subjects was fine, anything moving however is a different story. Maybe Canon could let Sigma do one for the RF-S mount.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@Ed-lz4jv]

nice shots with this lens, I was going to get the z70-180mm F2.8 but seeing a lot of praise for this one with really good at 400 and not a huge price. light. sounds like a BUY to me. only zoom i have now is the z24-70 F4. Had had the 24-200 before, too soft at the far reach IMO. WIsh I was there , so much to shoot

[@WILDALASKA]

Thanks. Thanks for watching

[@scooter5193]

Hey Scott, Love the video Especially the lupine and tree swallows. WOW! Are you going to stick with Nikon or are you still interested with the new Canon release coming up with R1 and R5? I shoot with the R5 but I sure have lens envy with the new Nikon stuff. I have to admit I’m thinking of jumping ship. What’s your thought on the R8? I just think that Nikon has done a great job with lenses just not sure about the bodies. Thanks for your time and all the great videos.

[@WILDALASKA]

R8 is a great camera especially for the price. IM still planning on shooting both Canon and Nikon. Well see what Canon does with camera releases this week nd what pro wildlife lenses they have in the works. That is where they are lacking imho.

[@AlexMcDougallPhotography]

That on an aps-c camera body would be great for travel.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@marcomillo49]

The best you tuber but if I crop with the 6III is it better than the 6II thank you ☺️ greetings from 🇧🇪 Belgium

[@WILDALASKA]

AF and sensor speed are much improved . IQ is good on both

[@garyrothstein4468]

Hi Scott, How are yo doing? Did you do the firmware update on the R7 ? Just checking Gary

[@WILDALASKA]

Havent updated.

[@shot2death876]

Interesting but the vin. at 28mm was that the lens hood or barrel distortion? You said it was barrel distortion but did you take the lens hood off and try it? Reason I am curious I am thinking getting it.

[@WILDALASKA]

It barrel distortion. You can see bend in the corners also. I should have taken a picture of something with straight lines in the corners to show it better. Weekly video output schedules make it hard to get everything in 😄

[@jayantaray2281]

What area mode did you use for photographing the swallows ? Was it 3D tracking in Z6iii ?

[@WILDALASKA]

Im always in Auto Area and bird subject detect

[@jayantaray2281]

@@WILDALASKA Thanks ! Z6iii doesn't have a dedicated 'Bird' subject detect, only Animals 🙂.

[@mirkoputignano7734]

I think is a perfect lens for video. Isn't it?

[@WILDALASKA]

Very good lens for video.

[@victorlim5077]

Looks like a great travel lens. If it ever drops below USD1k, it will sell well.

[@WILDALASKA]

Fingers crossed!

[@WestVirginiaWildlife]

I have the sigma 18-300 and 600 f11 on an r10 and I'm planning on getting a z8 with this lens and the 800 pf lens within the next few months (I got a job that makes me able to afford this lol). I also have the panasonic zs200 which I kinda regret buying since the sigma 18-300 is better and my s22 phone is always in my pocket for a close enough wide to medium angle camera in a pinch. The sigma 18-300 has heavy focus breathing and focus pulsing in continuous af though and the z8 can do 8k 60 for a lot of cropping. Might sell the zs200 to feel better financially lol

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@briancampbell5243]

“Birds in flight in crappy light”. You’re making me want to switch from Olympus to Nikon.

[@WILDALASKA]

😄

[@Jviotr]

Maybe Nikon’s price issue with this lens is the 24-200 already occupies that ~$1000 price point, so they bumped this price up to differentiate the 2.. does seem steep for a travel lens though.

[@WILDALASKA]

👍

[@helloyogeshpatel]

Just yesterday night I got 180 600 based on your review if I had seen this video I would get 28 400😅😅😅. But still happy with 180 600.

[@WILDALASKA]

think you will like the 180-600 more. Great lens

[@helloyogeshpatel]

Maybe I'll in future I will add this lens just for the situation I want to be agile and want to explore I have quite a lot of forest where I live. I am not finding 180 600 very difficult to handle yes in future monopod will help

[@stephenthompson1998]

Wish Canon or a third party would do something similar to go on my R7

[@WILDALASKA]

yup

[@MassimoMasone]

F8 already at 200mm is a no buy for me, I would have preferred a classic 28-300mm f3,5-6,,3

[@WILDALASKA]

ok

[@creamynessification]

bro! the eagle pic @11:44 sold me! im getting that lens!!

[@WILDALASKA]

🦅!!!!!

[@MRQirex]

f8 for wildlife doesn't sound so good unless static ones

[@WILDALASKA]

I shoot F8 a fair bit. especially in flight shots