Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S £2699/$2697

The Z 100-400mm VR S is the first supertelephoto lens in Nikon’s Z-mount line-up, but is it worth the hefty price-tag?

The Z 100-400mm VR S is the first super-telephoto lens in Nikon’s Z-mount line-up. Naturally, if you shoot with a DSLR or have an FTZ/FTZ II mount adapter for your Z-series camera, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to super-tele lenses. There’s a feast of up-market Nikon glassware to choose from, as well as high-performance options from Sigma and Tamron. From Sigma, the 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary, 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary and 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sports are particularly strong competitors. There’s also the Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD and SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2.

The upshot is that the Z 100-400mm lacks the extreme telephoto reach of independent 100-600mm F-mount lenses, or Nikon’s own AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR, and is weightier than Sigma and Tamron 100-400mm zooms. However, the native Z lens has a pro look and feel, along with build quality and performance to match.

Key features

About the same size and weight as Nikon’s fully pro-grade Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S ‘trinity’ zoom, the 100-400mm naturally delivers twice the maximum focal length, but with a narrowing of aperture rating, which varies from f/4.5 to f/5.6 as you extend through the zoom range.

Specifications

Mount: Nikon Z

Lens construction: 25 elements in 20 groups

Angle of view: 24-6 degrees

Diaphragm blades: 9

Minimum aperture: f/32-40

Minimum focusing distance: 0.75-0.98m

Maximum magnification ratio: 0.38x

Filter size: 77mm