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Nikon Z 100-400mm VR

f/4.5-5.6 FX

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

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Nikon Z Nikkor 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR (77mm filters, 50.5 oz./1,433g as shown, 47.6 oz./1,350g without foot, 2.5'/0.75m ～ 3.2'/1m close focus, 0.38× macro ratio, $2,697). bigger. I got mine at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay!

This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you get it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new 100-400mm. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your exotic new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.

July 2022   Better Pictures   Nikon   Mirrorless   Mirrorless Lenses   All Nikon Lenses   Nikon Flash   All Reviews

Sony vs. Nikon vs. Canon Full-Frame

Sample Images       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

It's easy getting sharp, colorful shots with this lens: just point and shoot. I made these snapshots in 30 minutes of walking around; my real work is in my Gallery.

These are all shot hand-held as BASIC ★ JPGs; no tripods, NORMAL or FINE JPGs or RAW files were used or needed.

More samples throughout this review at Bokeh, Lateral Color Fringes, Macro, Spherochromatism and Sunstars.

Surfer, Pacific Beach, California, 4:45 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Slight crop from Nikon Z9 in AFC-C 3D AF mode, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 270mm at f/5.3 at ¹/_1,600 in "S" exposure mode at Auto ISO 250 (LV 14.1), Perfectly Clear. bigger or full resolution uncropped 45 MP © JPG file saved at Photoshop Quality 7 (about 4 MB).

Pangaea Outpost, Pacific Beach, California, 4:19 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 100mm at f/9 at ¹/₁₆₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.3), exactly as shot. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

Pueblo, Pacific Beach, California, 4:21 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 195mm at f/7.1 at ¹/₂₀₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 13.9) Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

Gouda Cheese, PB Tuesday Farmer's Market, Pacific Beach, California, 4:27 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 100mm at f/6.3 at ¹/₁₂₅ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 12.9), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 5 MB).

Lovely bokeh!

Ruins of Coast are, Pacific Beach, California, 4:32 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 100mm at f/11 at ¹/₁₂₅ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.5), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

The orange wall is super sharp, while the palm tree on the right is farther away and out of focus.

Capri by the Sea, Pacific Beach, California, 4:38 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 240mm at f/11 at ¹/₂₅₀ at Auto ISO 140 (LV 14.4), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

Surfer, Pacific Beach, California, 4:42 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Slight crop from Nikon Z9 in AFC-C 3D AF mode, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 290mm at f/5.6 at ¹/₆₄₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.9), Perfectly Clear. bigger or full resolution uncropped 45 MP © JPG file saved at Photoshop Quality 7 (about 5 MB).

Seagull, Pacific Beach, California, 4:46 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Slight crop from Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 350mm at f/8 at ¹/₄₀₀ at Auto ISO 80 (LV 15.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 4 MB).

What you don't see here is that the Z9 was magically locked-on to the gull's eye the whole time.

Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, California, 4:48 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 125mm at f/8 at ¹/₅₀₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 15.6), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

Crystal Pier, Pacific Beach, California, 4:49 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 100mm at f/8 at ¹/₂₀₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.3), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 9 MB).

Introduction       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

B&H Photo - Video - Pro Audio I buy only from these approved sources. I can't vouch for ads below.

This 100-400mm VR is my favorite Nikon Z telephoto because it covers a much more useful zoom range than any other, it focuses super close and has superb optics in a package that handles very well. This lens is so good it makes it trivially easy to make loads of great photos, fast.

Especially compared to 70-200mm lenses, I never miss the 70-100mm end while I love the added 200-400mm range, and this 100-400mm VR focuses just as close as the 70-200mm lenses. I'll trade the 70-100mm range for the 200-400mm range any day!

I don't need f/4 or f/2.8; those fast apertures were for shooting film back when we shot at ISO 50 most of the time or needed to use teleconverters to get to 400mm with a 70-200/2.8. With digital's superb high ISOs today, I much prefer this all-in-one telephoto over having to swap lenses or teleconverters to get to 400mm. I don't miss the 70mm end or the faster apertures, and I love being able to get to 400mm with a flick of the wrist.

Just turn the focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override.

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

New       intro       top

Brilliant mechanically-balanced zoom system:

      Maintains balance (the same center-of-gravity) as zoomed.

      No zoom creep.

      Zooms just as easily pointed directly up or down.

Nikon's first 100-400mm lens.

Focuses twice as close as the old AF-S 80-400mm VR.

Good       intro       top

Ultra sharp at every setting.

Great bokeh.

Great optical Image Stabilization.

Super close focus and macro.

Same center-of-gravity as zoomed.

No zoom creep.

Zooms just as easily when pointed straight up or down.

No focus breathing.

Stops down to f/32 ~ f/40.

Programmable L-fn buttons

AF/MF switch.

Focus limiter switch.

Hood and sorry sack included.

Works with TC-1.4×  and  TC-2× teleconverters.

Made in Japan.

Bad       intro       top

Plastic filter threads.

Mostly plastic exterior.

Big.

Heavy.

Expensive.

Missing       intro       top

No 90º clicks on tripod collar.

No Stabilizer switch.

Nikon Z 100-400mm VR. bigger.

Compatibility       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

This lens works only on Nikon's Z-series mirrorless cameras.

It does not so much as even mount on any other camera.

Specifications       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

Name       specifications       top

Nikon calls this the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S:

    NIKKOR: Nikon's brand name for all their lenses.

    Z: For Nikon's mirrorless cameras, only.

    VR: Vibration Reduction.

    S: Subliminally suggests sexual satisfaction. The "S" designation has no other purpose than subliminal seduction; Nikon and electronics and automobile and every kind of marketer have been using letters like "S" and "X" in model numbers since the 1940s for this same reason. Nikon called their first 1946 rangefinder lens mount the "S" mount, then went whole-hog to the "F" SLR mount in 1959, used "S" again when they updated their AI lenses to AI‑S in 1983, created AF‑S SWM lenses in 1998 and here it is again.

Nikon's Model Number: 20106.

It also has:

    AF-P: Stepper (STM Pulse) autofocus motor.

    ARNEO Coat: Magic anti-reflection coating that's especially good for use in high-speed lenses.

    E: Electronic diaphragm.

    ED: Magic Extra-low Dispersion glass for reduced secondary chromatic aberration.

    G: Gelded; has no aperture ring.

    IF: Internal focusing; nothing moves externally as focused.

    Nano Crystal Coat (N): Magic anti-reflection coating that has a continuously variable index of refraction that's far more effective against ghosts and internal reflections than traditional multicoating.

    ∅77: 77mm filter thread.

Optics       specifications       top

Nikon Z 100-400mm VR Internal Optical Construction. ED and Super ED elements.

25 (!) elements in 20 groups.

"Pumper" zoom; the front extends about 2" (5 cm) more when zoomed to 400mm.

6 ED extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.

2 Super ED extra-low dispersion elements, which help reduce secondary axial chromatic aberration.

No aspherical elements.

Internal focussing with multiple focus groups.

Nikon Super Integrated multiCoating (SIC).

Nano and ARNEO coatings.

Fluorine front coating to resist dirt and smudges.

Diaphragm       specifications       top

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. bigger.

9 rounded blades.

Electronically actuated.

Stops down to f/32-40.

Filters       specifications       top

Plastic 77mm filter thread.

Focal Length       specifications       top

100-400mm.

When used on DX cameras, it sees the same angle of view as a 150 - 600mm lens sees when used on an FX or 35mm camera.

See also Crop Factor.

Angle of View       specifications       top

24⅓º ～ 6⅙º diagonal on FX.

16º ～ 4º diagonal on DX.

Autofocus       specifications       top

Internal focussing with two stepper motors and multiple focus groups.

No external movement as focussed, so no air or dust is sucked in.

Focus Scale       specifications       top

There's no traditional scale, but there is an OLED display.

May also be displayed in-camera.

Infinity Focus Stop       specifications       top

No.

You have to focus somehow to get precise focus at infinity, just like at every other distance.

Depth of Field Scale       specifications       top

There's no traditional scale, but there is an OLED display.

May also be displayed in-camera.

Infrared Focus Index       specifications       top

No.

Close Focus (distance from subject to image plane)       specifications       top

2.5 feet (0.75 meters) at 100mm to 3.2 feet (1 meter) at 400mm.

Maximum Reproduction Ratio       specifications       top

1:2.6 (0.38 ×).

Reproduction Ratio Scale       specifications       top

No.

Not on lens, but may be displayed in-camera.

Image Stabilizer       specifications       top

Rated 5.5 stops improvement.

Actually gives 3½ to 4 stops of real-world improvement.

Caps       specifications       top

LC-77B front cap, included.

LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap, included

Hood       specifications       top

HB-103 Hood. bigger.

Plastic bayonet HB-103 Hood included.

"Case"       specifications       top

Nikon CL-C3 "Case." bigger.

Nikon claims it includes a case, but it's only an unpadded CL-C3 cloth bag.

A tube sock works better.

Tripod Foot & Collar       specifications       top

I cover this in Performance.

Size       specifications       top

3.9" ø maximum diameter × 8.8" extension from flange at the 100mm setting. Gets longer at the 400mm setting.

98 mm ø maximum diameter × 222 mm extension from flange at the 100mm setting. Gets longer at the 400mm setting.

The front extends about 2" (5 cm) more when zoomed to 400mm.

Weight       specifications       top

Actual Measured Weights

50.535 oz. (1,432.6g) with foot.

47.625 oz. (1,350.2 g) without foot.

Rated

50.6 oz. (1,435g) with foot.

47.8 oz. (1,355g) without foot.

Quality       specifications       top

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. bigger.

Made in Japan, and so is the hood.

Announced       specifications       top

8:23 AM, 28 October 2021, NYC time.

Promised for       specifications       top

"Later in 2021."

I didn't get mine until May 2022, and as of June 2022 people are still paying more for used ones than ordering a new one and being patient for it to arrive.

Included       specifications       top

Box End. bigger.

Lens.

HB-103 hood.

LC-77B front cap.

LF-N1 Z-mount rear cap.

CL-C3 cloth bag.

1 year U. S. A. warranty card.

Big, folded multi-lingual instruction sheet.

Packaging       specifications       top

Box. bigger.

Microcorrugated cardboard.

Lens in a plastic bag supported by corrugami inserts.

Nikon's Model Number       specifications       top

20106.

Price, U. S. A.       specifications       top

June 2022

$2,697 at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.

It's so popular that people actually pay about $3,300 used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay!

May 2022

$2,697 at B&H, at Adorama, at Amazon and at Crutchfield.

It's so popular that people actually pay about $3,200 used at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay!

Unboxing       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

The box is completely unsealed. Just like packages of ice cream that kids open, lick and put back in store freezer sections or mouthwash that's been gargled and spat back in the bottle and put back on the store shelf, there is no way to know if anyone else has been fiddling with your lens, swapping parts and accessories, or even if it's been dropped, returned, damaged or a used lens returned to a retail store.

This is why it's critical to buy only from an approved online source, since they ship from automated warehouses where no shifty salesmen or other customers ever getting to touch your new lens before it ships. While new home security cameras, $5 CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays and bottles of milk and drinking water are sealed and quite obvious if anyone's opened them, paradoxically Nikon doesn't bother sealing anything, so your only insurance is to buy only from a trusted online dealer.

Getting a Legal U. S. A. Version       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

This section applies in the U. S. A. only.

You must have a U. S. A. Warranty Card, and the serial number must match the one on the bottom of your lens, otherwise you have no warranty:

U. S. A. Warranty Card. bigger.

If you don't have this card, if the card doesn't say "VALID IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES" or the serial number on the card doesn't match the one on your camera lens exactly, you got ripped off with a gray market version from another country. All legitimate Nikon lenses come with printed warranty cards, even if you prefer to register online. (The serial number on the outside of the box doesn't have to match, but if it doesn't it means you bought from a shady dealer who took lenses out of boxes and then resold these used lenses as new.)

Shifty dealers may include copies of a card from a legitimate U. S. A. product in a gray-market box, hoping you won't check serial numbers and catch their fraud. A card with the wrong serial number means nothing other than that you have no warranty coverage.

Nikon stopped offering 5-year lens warranties in 2021 in an effort to save themselves money at our expense.

Did you notice the clever nod to ancient computer technology? The individual model and serial numbers are printed with a dot-matrix printer, making these hard to fake to the critical eye.

Always be sure to check your box, warranty card and serial numbers while you can still return it, or just don't buy from unapproved sources or at retail so you'll be able to have your camera serviced and get free updated firmware as needed.

This is why I never buy anyplace other than from my personally approved sources. You just can't take the chance of buying elsewhere, especially at any retail store, because non-USA versions have no warranty in the U. S. A., and you won't even be able to get firmware or service for it — even if you're willing to pay out-of-pocket for it when you need it!

Nikon U. S. A. enforces its trademarks strictly. It's unlikely, but possible that US customs won't let your camera back in the country if you bought a gray-market version in the U. S. A., carried it overseas, and try to bring it back in. (If you take the chance of buying one overseas, be sure you have a receipt to prove you bought it overseas and be prepared to pay duty on it.)

If a gray market version saves you $1,000 it may be worth it, but for $200 or less I wouldn't risk having no warranty or support.

U. S. A. versions include a big folded single-sheet manual in many languages.

Get yours from the same places I do and you won't have a problem, but if you take the risk of getting yours elsewhere, be sure to check everything while you still can return it.

Performance       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

Overall   Autofocus   Manual Focus   Breathing   Bokeh

Distortion   Ergonomics   Eyeblow   Falloff   Filters

Flare & Ghosts   Lateral Color Fringes   Lens Corrections

Macro   Maximum & Minimum Apertures   Mechanics

OLED Display   Sharpness   Spherochromatism

Stabilization   Sunstars   Teleconverters   Tripod Collar

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

Overall       performance       top

The 100-400mm VR is a great lens. More than any lab tests can show, I just point and shoot and always get brilliant, sharp, colorful images. It also focuses super close and handles extremely well.

Bravo!

Autofocus       performance       top

Autofocus is reasonably fast and sure.

As a telephoto it's not instantaneous, but it is more than fast enough for any action I've tried to shoot on my Z9.

The servo motors hum slightly as it focuses.

Manual Focus       performance       top

Just grab the electronic focus ring at any time for instant manual-focus override anytime the camera is awake.

Better than any other brand, even if you're in AF-C and grab the manual-focus ring, it just swaps to manual focus instantly and stays in manual focus. Other brands will try to fight you for focus if you're in continuous AF, while this lens just does what you tell it to do.

Bravo!

Focus Breathing       performance       top

Focus breathing is the image changing size as focused in and out. It's important to cinematographers that the image not breathe because it looks funny if the image changes size as focus gets pulled back and forth between actors. If the lens does this, the image "breathes" by growing and contracting slightly as the dialog goes back and forth.

Miraculously this is one of the very, very few lenses I've ever tested that actually has no focus breathing.

Bravo!

Bokeh       performance       top

Bokeh, the feel, character or quality of out-of-focus areas as opposed to how far out of focus they are, is excellent Backgrounds simply melt away.

Here are photos from headshot distance wide-open. I'm focused on the DAVIS logo. Click any for the © camera-original file:

Made-in-U. S. A. Davis 6250 weather station, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR wide-open at ¹/₆₄₀, ¹/₅₀₀ and ¹/₄₀₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14¼). Click any for the camera-original 45 MP © 4 MP JPG  file.

As always, if you want to throw the background as far out of focus as possible, shoot at 400mm at f/5.6 and get as close as possible.

Distortion       performance       top

The Nikon Z 100-400mm VR has no distortion as shot with the default distortion correction activated, and has mild to moderate pincushion distortion if you turn the correction off, or if you shoot raw data rather than JPG images and whatever software you use to create visible images from raw data doesn't correct the distortion as the camera does.

Use these corrections in Photoshop's lens correction filter. Even shooting uncorrected, Photoshop's simple lens correction filter gives perfect correction.

These aren't facts or specifications, they are the results of my research that requires hours of photography and calculations on the resulting data.

© 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

Ergonomics       performance       top

It handles very well, except that the AF/MF and Focus Limiter switches are all the way back by the lens mount, requiring me to shift my hand all the way back from the zoom ring to use them.

Zooming always works great. Even if pointed directly up or down, its balanced zoom system isn't any harder to use — and it never creeps.

The small control ring behind the OLED display isn't useful. When set to control aperture, for instance, it has no clicks and slams from f/4.5 to f/32 in just one inch (2 cm) of rotation, making it more of a nuisance than a feature.

There's no stabilizer switch; you have to set it in a menu.

Eyeblow       performance       top

The Z 100-400mm VR blows air out of the back as zoomed. Depending on your camera, air may blow out your eyepiece, or in the case of my Z9, blows out the bottom buttons onto my chin.

This itself isn't a problem; what matters is that outside air is constantly pumped past your sensor, along with whatever dirt comes with it.

Falloff       performance       top

Falloff is invisible.

I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background; it will not look this bad in actual photos of real things:

Falloff on full-frame at infinity, correction at its default of NORMAL.   Maximum Aperture f/5.6 f/8 100mm 200mm 400mm Maximum Aperture is f/5.6 ->   © 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

Even if you deliberately turn off Vignette Control, it's still not bad, and again I've greatly exaggerated the falloff by shooting a gray field and placing these on a gray background:

Falloff on full-frame at infinity, correction turned OFF.   Maximum Aperture f/5.6 f/8 100mm 200mm 400mm Maximum Aperture is f/5.6 ->   © 2022 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.

Filters, use with       performance       top

There's no need for thin filters. You can stack an inch (a few cm) worth of filters before you get any vignetting.

Go ahead and use your standard rotating polarizer and grad filters.

Flare & Ghosts       performance       top

It's mostly free from flare and ghosts.

See examples at Sunstars.

Lateral Color Fringes       performance       top

Ruins of Denny's, Pacific Beach, California, 4:30 PM, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 200mm at f/8 at ¹/₆₄₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 16.0), Perfectly Clear. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © JPG file (about 4 MB).

There are no color fringes as shot on Nikon cameras as JPG, which by default correct for any that may be there.

If you shoot raw and then use non-manufacturer software to process that data into images then there is the possibility that there might be some, but I doubt it.

Lens Corrections       performance       top

The Z9, Z7 II, Z6 II, Z7, Z6, and Z5 always correct for lateral color fringes (lateral chromatic aberration). This is part of Nikon's secret sauce and never appears in any menu.

The Z9, Z7 II, Z6 II, Z7, Z6, and Z5 correct for any or all of distortion, diffraction and falloff (vignette control), any of which you may turn ON or OFF.

Macro Performance       performance       top

The Z 100-400mm VR gets super close:

At f/5.6 at 400mm

Not only does it get close, but it's also pretty sharp even wide-open:

Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 400mm at f/5.6 at ¹/₆₄₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.9), bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (5 MB).

1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (5 MB).

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!

At f/8 at 400mm

It's even sharper at f/8, and of course very little is in focus. I usually shoot at f/22 to try to get any depth of field at these distances:

Casio G-Shock Solar Atomic Watch at close-focus distance, Tuesday, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 400mm at f/8 at ¹/₄₀₀ at Auto ISO 64 (LV 14.6), bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (5 MB).

1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (5 MB).

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!

Maximum & Minimum Apertures       performance       top

Mechanical Quality       performance       top

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. bigger.

It's made in Japan of more plastic than metal, but hey, this is what we get today from Nikon for just under $3,000.

Finish

Black plastic.

Hood

Plastic bayonet.

Front Bumper

Rubber.

Filter Threads

Plastic.

Hood Bayonet Mount

Plastic.

Gold ED Band

None.

Front Barrel Exterior

Plastic.

Zoom Ring

Rubber-covered plastic.

Mid Barrel Exterior (section with four L-fn2 buttons)

Plastic.

Focus Ring

Rubber-covered plastic.

Mid Barrel Exterior (section with OLED display)

Plastic.

Thin Rear Programmable Control Ring

Metal, believe it or not.

Barrel Exterior between Thin Rear Programmable Control Ring and Tripod Collar

Plastic.

Tripod Collar

Metal.

The collar doesn't come off the lens, but the metal foot does come off the collar.

More at Tripod Collar.

Slide Switches

Plastic.

Rear Barrel Exterior

Section with serial number and certifications: metal vanity cover.

Internals

Plastic and metal.

Dust Gasket at Mount

Yes.

Mount

Looks like aluminum.

Markings

White markings are engraved and filled with paint.

Grey markings are simply printed.

Serial Number

Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR. bigger.

Laser engraved on bottom of barrel.

Identity

Printed just in front of the zoom ring in gray.

Also engraved and filled with paint on top of rear barrel.

Date Code

None found.

Noises When Shaken

Moderate rattling from the VR group(s).

Made in

Made in Japan.

OLED Display       performance       top

The tiny black-and-white panel shows "NIKKOR" for a few seconds when you turn on the camera, and then defaults to show the distance in meters. How to change the brightness or to select feet.

If you've selected an aperture in M or A modes, the distance display will also show a bar for the depth-of-field which changes with the aperture, zoom setting and even focus distance (these photos are from the Z 24-70mm f/2.8 which has the same screen that works in the same way):

Press the DISP button to see Focal Length or Aperture. Sadly a programming defect makes it show FAUTO instead of the aperture in S or P modes; it's not smart enough to mirror the camera's selection of aperture as the camera's top display can:

That's the good news. The bad news is that there's no automatic brightness control so you won't be able to read the lens' OLED panel outdoors unless you manually increase its brightness. Once you increase the brightness so you can read it outdoors, but it probably will be too bright indoors until you manually adjust it again.

Don't worry, because you'll almost never see this panel light up anyway. You have to press the DISP button for it to turn on, and then it turns off 10 seconds later, or 10 seconds after you last did anything to turn it on like change a setting.

It's not always on so it's more of a nuisance than a feature. Old people remember red LED digital watches from the 1970s that quickly were replaced with today's LCD digital watches because no one wanted to have to use their other hand to press a button just to read the time. (Apple Watches have solved that problem.)

The distance displays only show a sliding distance scale with no tick marks. There is no digital distance display as there is for focal length. You can't read 4.85 feet or 8.3 meters, for instance.

You can turn this display off if you prefer for night or covert use.

Sharpness       performance       top

Lens sharpness has nothing to do with picture sharpness; every lens made in the past 100 years is more than sharp enough to make super-sharp pictures if you know what you're doing. The only limitation to picture sharpness is your skill as a photographer. It's the least talented who spend the most time worrying about lens sharpness and blame crummy pictures on their equipment rather than themselves. Skilled photographers make great images with whatever camera is in their hands; I've made some of my best images of all time with an irreparably broken camera! Most pixels are thrown away before you see them, but camera makers don't want you to know that.

If you're not getting ultra-sharp pictures with this, be sure not to shoot at f/11 or smaller where all lenses are softer due to diffraction, always shoot at ISO 100 or below because cameras become softer at ISO 200 and above, avoid shooting across long distances over land which can lead to atmospheric heat shimmer, be sure everything is in perfect focus, set your camera's sharpening as you want it (I set mine to the maximum) and be sure nothing is moving, either camera or subject. If you want to ensure a soft image with any lens, shoot at f/16 or smaller at ISO 1,600 or above at default sharpening in daylight of subjects at differing distances in the same image.

People worry waaaaay too much about lens sharpness. It's not 1968 anymore when lenses often weren't that sharp and there could be significant differences among them; ever since about 2010 all new lenses are all pretty much equally fantastic.

This lens is ultra sharp from corner-to corner at every aperture, limited of course by atmospheric seeing conditions (heat shimmer), and by diffraction at the very smallest apertures.

The solid lines are the sagittal (radial) and the dotted lines are the meridional (tangential) claims:

MTF at 100mm at f/4.5.	MTF at 400mm at f/5.6.

Nikon's MTF claims at 10 cyc/mm and 30 cyc/mm.

Spherochromatism       performance       top

Spherochromatism, also called secondary spherical chromatic aberration or "color bokeh," is an advanced form of spherical and chromatic aberration in a different dimension than lateral chromatic aberration. It happens mostly in fast normal and tele lenses when spherical aberration at the ends of the color spectrum are corrected differently than in the middle of the spectrum. Spherochromatism can cause colored fringes on out-of-focus highlights, usually seen as green fringes on backgrounds and magenta fringes on foregrounds. Spherochromatism is common in fast lenses of moderate focal length when shooting contrasty items at full aperture. It goes away as stopped down.

It has no significant spherochromatism, bravo!

Mondaine A132.30348.11SBB at close-focus distance, 31 May 2022. Nikon Z9, Nikon Z 100-400mm VR at 400mm wide-open at f/5.6 at ¹/₆₄₀ at Auto ISO 64 with +0.7 stops exposure compensation (LV 14.6). bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (3.5 MB JPG).

1,200 × 900 pixel (6.8× magnification) crop from above. bigger or camera-original 45 MP © file (3.5 MB JPG).

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 3" (7.5cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a large 14 × 21″ (35 × 55 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 6" (15cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a huge 27½ × 41¼″ (70 × 105 cm) at this same high magnification.

If this 1,200 × 900 pixel crop is about 12" (30cm) wide on your screen, the complete image would print at a mammoth 55 × 82½″ (1.4 × 2.1 meters) at this same extremely high magnification!

Image Stabilization (VR)       performance       top

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS, IS or VR (Vibration Reduction)) works well.

While it's nowhere near as good as Nikon's claimed 5.5 stops (very few lenses ever are as good as claimed), I get a good 3½ to 4 stops of real-world improvement, which is fine.

It's a little better than the Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR and about as good as Canon's RF 100-400mm IS (which sells for one-quarter the price), and not quite as good as the competitive Canon RF 100-500mm L IS.

"Percent Perfectly Sharp Shots" are the percentage of frames with 100% perfect tripod-equivalent sharpness I get when I'm shooting hand-held while free-standing with no support or bracing. Hand tremor is a random occurrence, so at marginal speeds some frames will be perfectly sharp while others will be in various stages of blur — all at the same shutter speed. This rates what percentage of shots are perfectly sharp, not how sharp are all the frames:

At 100mm on stabilized 45MP Z9, firmware 2.0

I see a 3½ stop real-world improvement.

At 200mm on stabilized 45MP Z9, firmware 2.0

I see a 3½ stop real-world improvement.

At 400mm on stabilized 45MP Z9, firmware 2.0

I see a 4 stop real-world improvement.

Sunstars       performance       top

With a 9-bladed rounded diaphragm, I get mild 18-pointed sunstars on brilliant points of light at the smallest apertures.

Ignore the crazy rainbow effects at small apertures; these are sensor artifacts caused by taking a picture directly of the sun and exposing for the dark underside of a palm tree, and using that same palm tree to hide the sky to accentuate the stars.

Click any to enlarge:

Click any to enlarge.

Teleconverters       performance       top

It works with the Nikon Z TC-1.4×  and  TC-2× teleconverters.

While I haven't tried these specifically with this lens, know that mirrorless is completely different from DSLRs, and unlike with DSLRs, teleconverters work wonderfully on mirrorless, with fast focus and bright finders and none of the horrors we took for granted back in DSLR days.

If you want to use an extender, go right ahead.

The TC-1.4×  makes this a 140-560mm f/6.3-8.

The  TC-2× makes this a 200-800mm f/9-11, which should work brilliantly.

Tripod Collar       performance       top

The metal tripod collar doesn't come off, but the metal foot does.

Without the foot, the collar's stub has a standard ¼″ × 20 tripod thread.

The lock knob has a plastic cover, below which is a Kensington lock slot.

There are dots every 90º, but no 90º clicks.

Removable Foot. bigger.

Compared       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

Versus the Z 400mm f/4.5 VR

Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR (95mm filters, 43.9 oz./1,245g with tripod collar, 40.9 oz./1,160g without, 8'/2.5m close focus, 0.16 × macro ratio). Check price.

I prefer the Z 100-400/4.5-5.6 VR because it focuses over twice as close, and it zooms. I'd gladly trade zooming and close focus those for the slight 2/3 stop speed and slight weight advantage of the Z 400/4.5 VR at 400mm — but that's just me. Thank goodness Nikon makes all these lenses so we all have a choice.

I included my classic ED 400/5.6 IF AI because it is so similar in size, weight and performance to the Nikon Z 400mm f/4.5 VR, except that of course it has no autofocus, no VR and has even worse close focus than the new Z 400/4.5 VR.

Versus the AF-S 80-400mm VR

Nikon AF-S 80-400mm VR.

The AF-S 80-400mm VR works fine on the FTZ on mirrorless.

This new Z 100-400mm VR is about the same size and weight, but focuses twice as close.

I wouldn't worry about the extra 80-100mm range of the AF-S 80-400mm VR; I'd much rather have the super close-focusing of this new Z 100-400mm VR.

I got each of mine when they first came out, so both of my lenses are Made in Japan. I can't vouch if newer copies have had production dumped to other countries.

The AF-S 80-400mm VR and an FTZ cost significantly less than this new Z 100-400mm VR, and the AF-S 80-400mm VR comes with a nice padded case compared to the foolish sack of the Z 100-400mm VR.

If you own the AF-S 80-400mm VR I see no need to buy this newer version unless you need closer focusing, or just like to have the newest. See Is It Worth It and Should You Upgrade.

Versus the original AF-D 80-400mm VR       compared       top

The AF-D 80-400mm VR was the world's first long tele VR lens.

Nikon's defective FTZ lacks the motor required to autofocus this lens, and having to focus a long tele manually is a pain, so I can't suggest this lens for mirrorless, even though VR, data and exposure control all works great on the FTZ.

Versus the Canon RF 100-400mm IS USM       compared       top

Canon RF 100~400mm IS USM.

Canon's brilliant RF 100-400mm IS sells for sells for one-quarter the price, is a stop slower (f/5.6~8), is equally ultrasharp, has the same stabilizer performance, is smaller and much lighter, and focuses much faster.

The RF 100-400mm IS autofocuses almost instantly, while the Nikon Z 100-400mm does not.

The RF 100-400mm IS is a fantastic choice, but sadly Nikon has no similar compact ultra-performance lens available.

Versus the Canon RF 100-500mm L IS USM       compared       top

Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM.

The Canon RF 100-500mm IS L is very similar to the Nikon Z 100-400mm VR.

R F 100-500mm IS L has slightly better stabilizer performance, is about the same size, weight and price, macro and autofocus is about the same, is the same speed at the same focal lengths. The collar of the RF 100-500mm IS L comes off completely, while only the foot of the Nikon Z 100-400mm VR comes off. Both are made in Japan.

Use whichever fits your system.

See also Sony vs. Nikon vs. Canon Full-Frame.

Versus the Sony FE 100-400mm GM OSS       compared       top

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS.

The Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS has similar size, tripod collar, macro ratio, weight and price, and is also Made in Japan.

Use whichever fits your system.

See also Sony vs. Nikon vs. Canon Full-Frame.

Recommendations       top

Sample Images   Intro   New   Good   Bad   Missing

Compatibility   Specs   Unboxing   USA Version

Performance   Compared   Recommendations

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

This is Nikon's best mirrorless telephoto.

I use a clear (UV) protective filter instead of a cap so I'm always ready to shoot instantly. I only use a cap when I throw this in a bag with other gear without padding — which is never. The UV filter never gets in the way, and never gets lost, either.

The best protective filter is the 77mm Hoya multicoated HD3 UV which uses hardened glass and repels dirt and fingerprints.

For less money, the the B+W multicoated 010 MRC is an excellent filter, as is the 77mm Nikon Clear (NC - UV) and the basic multicoated Hoya filters, but the Hoya HD3 is the toughest and the best.

Filters last a lifetime, so you may as well get the best. The Hoya HD3 stays cleaner than the others since it repels oil and dirt, and will outlast this lens.

All these filters are just as sharp and take the same pictures, the difference is how much abuse they'll take and stay clean and stay in one piece. Since filters last a lifetime or more, there's no reason not to buy the best as it will last you for the next 40 years. Filters aren't throwaways like digital cameras which we replace every few years, like it or not. I'm still using filters I bought back in the 1970s!

I got my Z 100-400mm VR at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama, at Amazon or at Crutchfield. This lens is so popular that as of June 2022 it sells for about $3,300 used at eBay even if you know How to Win at eBay!

This 100% all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to my personally approved sources I've used myself for way over 100 combined years when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you get it elsewhere. Nikon does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, dropped, incomplete, gray-market, store demo or used lens — and all of my personally approved sources allow for 100% cash-back returns for at least 30 days if you don't love your new 100-400mm. I've used many of these sources since the 1970s because I can try it in my own hands and return it if I don't love it, and because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your exotic new lens before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I've used myself for decades for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.

Thanks for helping me help you!

Ken.

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