Nikon NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Lens, Bundle with Vanguard VEO 3 GO 235AB 23mm 5-Section Aluminum Travel Tripod with T-50 Ball Head, Gimbal Tripod Head, 77mm Filter Kit, Cleaning Kit

2025-04-13T12:02:07

I owned this lens for about a year and used it for a variety of nature, wildlife and bird photography efforts. It provided the usual great Nikon Z lens resolution and clarity/contrast. As many good reviewers have noted, I found it slightly less sharp at 400mm than at other points of the range. I tried it with Nikon's 1.4 TC (for more reach for birding) and that's when I found the image getting unpleasantly soft for those sorts of uses when you need to capture all the fine detail (e.g. bird photography). So in sum, very good on it's own, but not so great for use with TCs.

craig c.

2024-12-05T04:26:19

So far I've had limited opportunities to use the lens. From the few photos I've taken with it I'm very impressed with the sharpness and quality. Very happy with my decision to purchase this lens.

CLINTON F.

2024-09-26T09:15:06

Awesome lens! I use a lot of the time because it is easy to hand hold.

KELLIE C.

2024-09-03T08:04:40

Amazing lens! My husband couldn't wait to use it! Great customer service from Adorama.

MARIA K.

2024-03-29T17:52:55

Expensive but loving it so far.

John D.

2024-03-12T07:32:03

Having been a Nikon user for 20+ years now I can offer a fair review from the older dslr lenses to the modern mirrorless offerings. This lens for example, provides such versatility without sacrificing quality in the results. I have always found the use of longer lenses for compression in wide perspectives (like layers landscape photography) over reach for singular subject matter. With that said, this zoom variable covers all my needs in a pinch from portrait work, accommodating macro and beyond.

SPEYSYDE

Originally posted at

2024-02-16T06:57:34

I am new to the Z line-up. This is the 3rd lens, a must have for me besides the 24-120mm and the 105 micro. Incredible lens, however, I had difficulty learning the autofocus for this lens with my Z8. At first, I thought I had a bad copy with an out-of-focus (fairly close) subject of a river otter, just outside our deck. I tested the lens at 100mm against the 24-120 and it was equally sharp, once I had learned how to best select the autofocus functions in the camera. I still am a little shy of out-of-focus shots with this lens, but I have faith that it is a great lens and it is me who needs to learn how to use it!! Build quality is fantastic. Design wise: Nikon, drop the foot in favor of a Swiss ARCA plate connector foot.

Larry

Originally posted at

2024-01-29T07:39:20

An S class lens all the way, sharp with fast AF and super smooth controls. The tripod collar is the best Nikon has produced to date, silky smooth and extremely well dampened. The zoom control is also very smooth as well. My only nit is the control ring is too easy to change by accident. As there are so many other options for the various functions offered, I don't find this a useful feature. Other than that, a great investment.

DougC

Originally posted at

2024-01-27T12:30:32

I love Nikon 35mm lenses and more with this Z 100-400mm S glass lens which pairs with my Z9. It is fast AF, very good color rendering and good for handheld. I chose this lens over its cousin 400mm f4.5 due to its versatility. However, I may get the 400mm f4.5 S later for more light.

GVT P.

Originally posted at

2024-01-15T07:33:37

I purchased a Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 to take to Antarctica. I am here, now, really, really appreciating the quality and easy functioning of this versatile zoom lens. When shooting from the ship, the landscape photo composition choices are perfect. As a walkabout lens on shore landings, it is just what I thought I would need. Field changing lenses is not a good idea in this environment. The close focusing ability allows creativity. The zoom range enables shots other photographers are just plain unable to capture. This Z 100-400mm has been a major plus on our adventure trip to Theo and of ice, penguins, seals, whales, and more. I highly recommend this lens.

Sailor P.

Originally posted at

2023-12-20T07:58:46

I've owned a 100-400 on other systems and it was always my most used lens. This lens is probably the best optically performing out of all of the 100-400's i've used, and its close focusing capabilities surprised and continue to delight me. This lens is fast to focus, accurate, light weight.

604photo.ca

Originally posted at

2023-11-11T03:06:49

I must say used it to shoot serval foot ball games. Color , sharpness , weight , .Great lens better than the older one. Used it my my z8 pictures were amazing .

Ralph D.

Originally posted at

2023-11-04T10:09:58

While I have only owned this lens for a short period of time, it's fast becoming my favorite. I walk through a wildlife conservation area pretty much every day. And I see everything from small birds to large mammals. The features that I was looking for light weight, rugged build, weather resistant, close focusing, and image quality. They are all there. This lens defiantly fits the bill. I could not be more happy with a purchase.

Tom S.

Originally posted at

2023-11-01T07:00:54

It's still a very new lens to me, but it's performed wonderfully so far. Moving up from the 70-300mm, I liked the idea of extra focal reach, but was worried about it being heavier and difficult to maneuver. However, it's a compact design with a reasonable weight that's not cumbersome. It's also easy to zoom in-out as you can almost fully open and close the zoom with one one twist of the wrist, maybe to 80%, or more, of it's capacity.

David C.

Originally posted at

2023-10-27T14:00:55

Excellent build quality, sharp throughout the range, fast focusing, and works very well with the Nikkor Z 1.4tc. Recently switched from Canon RF system as I prefer the glass that Nikon has to offer. Hope to add a 600mm PF and a wide angle zoom soon.

Wilsoncraft

Originally posted at

2023-10-16T17:42:16

Sharp and versatile telephoto lens. I decided to replace my 70-200 lens to get the greater reach and plan o get the 1.4 teleconverter to extend the reach even further. I would definitely recommend this lens.

Mark F.

2023-10-01T17:09:00

I am a flower photographer and it is excellent in getting sharp photos with a blurred solid colored background.

Bruce G.

Originally posted at

2023-09-25T09:47:35

I've owned the lens for about two weeks on my Z7II and so far have used it for photographing small birds, dragonflies, and (surprisingly) a lot of wildflowers. I'm really impressed with the image quality, ease of use of the focus and control rings, and it is accomplishing what I bought it for, and probably a bit more. I'm not getting rid of my macro but it has been really fun using this lens for in-the-field wildflower photography. The relatively close focus, combined with the zoom capability is opening up perspectives that I've missed when sticking my nose in the flower. Drawbacks? It will take some time to get used to the weight (5 lbs with my Z7II) since I'm a hike-with-the-gear photographer and like keeping the telephoto mounted while on the move in case wildlife shows up. I like the programmable control ring on the lens but the functions available on the function buttons are too limited for me and don't extend my options beyond what's on the camera.

Gary S.

Originally posted at

2023-09-23T07:54:44

A solid lens. A good hiking lens for nature. Close focusing that it is a near macro lens.

Phillip

Originally posted at

2023-09-10T17:06:42

Nikon's Z 100 mm - 400 mm lens is one of my favorites. It's sharp and has a good zoom range for outdoor events, zoos and any other type of shooting that requires this type of range. I have used it while walking around Washington DC as well as indoors at conventions and festivals. Keep in mind that this lens is a f/4.5-5.6, so you are going to want plenty of light, or you can expect to boost the ISO settings. With that being said, I don't regret getting this lens for one single second.

David M.

Originally posted at

2023-09-03T05:00:02

I've had a chance to use the 100-400mm z lens on a recent trip to the Saint Augustine alligator farm in Florida and it was the perfect lens. It allowed me to capture some great close ups while giving me the length for those distance action moments

Ric W.

Originally posted at

2023-08-28T16:52:53

This is my favorite lens I have ever owned and I have owned many! Super sharp, Great AF and Love that it is a zoom but also can focus like a macro in less than 3 ft! I highly recommend this lens! Nikon hit it out of the park with this one!

Carey N.

Originally posted at

2023-08-27T04:46:28

A very well balance lens. Versatility is second to none. I bought this lens with the 1.4 teleconverter to replace the 500mm PF, it did. Auto focusing is fast and spot on. Image quality is outstanding. The lens is also used for landscape photography and I'm finding the close focusing capabilities to be a major plus. Hi recommend.

Robert C.

Originally posted at

2023-08-25T09:07:17

This lens fits so well with my style of photography that I probably use it 75% of the time over my others. You can just pick out the small details and compositions at any distance so well! Even if sometimes you have to move position to accommodate the 100mm minimum, those are often some of my best photos. I most often use this lens around 150mm and 300mm. The sharpness and weather sealing I have come to know and trust in the NIKKOR Z S line is top notch and this is yet another solid addition to that line up.

Thomas R.

Originally posted at

2023-08-20T06:00:40

For me this is the perfect telephoto zoom lens. It is light and fairly compact which is why I'm able to carry it on long hikes. It's also very sharp and easy to hand hold. In the past I hiked carrying a tripod, but with the Z system IBIS and the light lenses that is no longer the case. I was also able to eliminate my 70-200 f4 because the 100-400 covers most of that range and with the newer noise reduction software the lenses do not need to be as fast. I've occasionally paired this lens with the 1.4x teleconverter and the results are surprisingly good. As a bonus, the lens is also a pretty good closeup lens and with cropping, I've managed some decent macro images.

Mark B.

Originally posted at

2023-08-05T10:10:04

Build quality is very nice with a balanced feel on the Z9, I have used the lens only a handful of times, tripod mounted and coupled to the 2x TC for some shots of the full moon this past week. I'm looking forward to wildlife and birding in the coming weeks, focus is fast on this lens alone and still not bad with the 2x TC. I consider this lens a replacement for my Nikkor F mount 200-500 f/5.6 and I also consider it an upgrade in build quality, weight, size and focus speed. The one thing that irks me about camera manufacturers is their use of lens feet that aren't arca swiss compatible, it's clearly the standard, integration isn't difficult from an engineering standpoint and I doubt it would increase production costs by much, signed the guy who owns a lot of third party lens feet.

craigulator

Originally posted at

2023-07-22T23:31:03

This is an outstanding go to lens for wildlife photography. Especially since I travel to remote locations where a much heavier lens would be prohibitive.

Morissa P.

2023-07-19T13:02:16

Awesome lens! great focal range covered, sharp! wildlife & landscapes ?would be good for sports as well, although i do not shoot sports i think for closer range outdoor games or swimming it would be a good option. No regrets with this lens!

karen k.

2023-06-27T14:11:03

I purchased my zoom lens about 5 weeks ago but I just got a chance to give it a go. I had been concerned that 400 max zoom would not be powerful enough. But I forgot that I can change my mirrorless camera from a full frame to a crop sensor which lets me get in even closer to my subject. I am very pleased with the results of the two photos I uploaded. One is a dragonfly and the other is a bird, both of which are very hard to photograph. The only thing I struggled with is that sometimes I could not find my subject because the lens is so powerful. I don't typically photograph fast moving objects even with a standard lens so it will just be a matter of getting more comfortable with using it. All in all, I am very pleased.

Jannie W.

Originally posted at

2023-06-20T03:07:27

Finally after a long wish list I decided to get it

JOSEPH R.