This text shares my expertise utilizing the versatile Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 S lens. I gained’t focus on efficiency in numerical phrases, or element its dimensions and bodily traits. You’ll find that useful info within the unique Images Life evaluation (right here). As an alternative, I’ll deal with how and why this lens has change into important to my images after practically three years of utilization.
Focal Size
The primary and most vital characteristic, and my motivation for buying the lens within the first place, is its versatility in focal size. Switching from 100mm to 400mm focal size immediately helps to compose very completely different photos, from Animalscapes (see my current article right here) to wildlife portraits. This flexibility turns into invaluable in adversarial climate or dusty environments, permitting you to alter compositions with out swapping lenses.
When paired with the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4 lens, one other outstanding lens I’ll focus on in a future article, this mixture of focal lengths types a flexible equipment for nature images. I as soon as learn an interview with a well known wildlife photographer who suggested “simply” investing in a 24-105mm or 24-120mm lens together with a 100-400mm lens as a substitute of saving for an extended lens. They argued that the cash may be higher spent on journeys to wildlife-rich places.
Whereas I discover that perspective a bit excessive, and I’m a fairly glad proprietor of a wonderful 600mm f/4 lens, I can’t deny that a lot of my photographs fall throughout the 24 to 400mm vary. Having this important vary well-covered permits me to focus on images with none concern of equipment-related errors, and the photographs I’ve taken with this 100-400mm are not any slouch in comparison with these I take with the 600mm f/4.
However again to the Z 100-400mm lens, I’ve discovered that to make use of it successfully, it’s helpful to take a second to “see” and “think about” potential photos within the scene round me earlier than peering by the viewfinder. This apply helps me keep away from getting misplaced within the particulars and preserves my broader imaginative and prescient of the scene.
Perhaps that is associated to my love for capturing Animalscapes, nevertheless it was an epiphany after I realized this small reality: You’ll find higher and extra numerous compositions by wanting together with your eyes solely.
Optical Qualities
The autofocus on the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 is quick and exact. The utmost aperture is a bit slim at 400mm, which makes low-light images a bit more durable (particularly in comparison with an unique 400mm f/2.8 however even in comparison with a 400mm f/4.5). However in any sunlight hours, I’ve by no means had bother capturing even the quickest topics with this lens. In these on a regular basis situations, it focuses as shortly as unique primes.
Moreover, the vibration discount on this lens is very efficient. It really works particularly properly in tandem with the digital camera’s in-body picture stabilization. However all this alone wouldn’t be sufficient if the opposite optical high quality was missing. The Nikkor 100-400mm doesn’t disappoint right here; it is extremely sharp in any respect focal lengths, giving up a bit solely at 300-400mm, and nothing that harms the end result.
Though not on the stage of sooner and brighter lenses, the bokeh is all proper, too. On this regard, it’s vital to do not forget that the bokeh is influenced extra by the relative distances between the photographer, topic, and background than by your selection of aperture. Due to this fact, it’s the photographer who, by selecting the most effective capturing level, could make the out-of-focus background creamier.
Nevertheless, a 70-200mm f/2.8 in difficult capturing conditions can produce higher out-of-focus rendition. But it surely stops at 200mm… and in case you connect a teleconverter, you worsen outcomes than what you can obtain with the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6, each in sharpness and bokeh.
The place picture high quality is worried, I additionally discover the 100-400mm loads sharp sufficient even for panorama images. The truth is I fairly like this longer perspective on pure landscapes. I benefit from the lengthy focal size each to amplify element and to compress the scene.
Different Options
One of many major explanation why the 100-400mm has change into my go-to lens is that it is extremely sturdy {and professional}, and it may well stand up to intensive abuse with none points. As you’ve seen from my photographs, I’m typically capturing in very chilly, snowy, or misty environments and have had gear fail on me prior to now. The Z 100-400mm feels assured and reassuring as compared.
This lens is stuffed with surprises and has a hidden characteristic: it may well focus very carefully, making it appropriate for close-up images, particularly for topics that want a bit extra distance than a 105mm macro lens supplies. Whereas it could not match the distinctive efficiency of the Nikon Z MC 105mm f/2.8 Macro at shut distances, it comes very shut and is value attempting out!
I discussed that this lens has earned a everlasting spot in my backpack. I at all times take it on my mountain journeys, both in a neoprene tube or mounted on my Nikon Z9 and saved in a LensCoat BodyBag Professional Sport. Whereas “shifting and capturing,” I typically connect the lens to my backpack utilizing a BlackRapid Backpack Breathe digital camera strap or a Peak Design Digicam Clip. When touring, it’s at all times with me as a companion to my 600mm f/4 lens.
Conclusion
Do I believe this lens is ideal? Whereas no lens may be thought-about good, the 100-400mm lens comes very near being the perfect wide-range telephoto zoom. It’s in all probability Nikon’s finest supertelephoto zoom, considerably surpassing the earlier 80-400mm AF-S VR. (I don’t depend the spectacular 120-300mm f/2.8 and 180-400mm f/4, that are in a unique league for weight, luminosity, and value).
In my expertise and to my tastes, its usefulness outperforms the newer Nikon Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR. My comparability isn’t about completely different efficiency ranges, however somewhat in regards to the focal lengths. The power to zoom out to 100mm implies that the 100-400mm is a unique sort of lens than the 180-600mm. Although some wildlife photographers might wrestle to decide on between them, I don’t view these two lenses as overlapping. To me, there is just one reply if you wish to take each “vast” wildlife pictures and portraits, and it’s the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6.
I hope you discovered this essay in regards to the worth of the Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens in my wildlife images pleasurable. Although I’m a Nikon shooter and love the Z 100-400mm particularly, I’m positive that I might be simply as proud of Sony’s 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 if I shot with Sony, and Canon’s 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 if I shot with Canon. As somebody who likes to {photograph} giant mammals, one of these lens fits my type of wildlife images completely, and it has change into my most important lens!
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