Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR vs Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

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AF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR compared with AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR

	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 180-400mm f/4E TC1.4 FL ED VR	NikonAF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
Overview
Released
Released	March 2018	August 2014
Optics
Lens type
Lens type	Zoom	Prime
Focal length
Focal length	180–400 mm	400 mm
Maximum aperture
Maximum aperture	f/4	f/2.8
Minimum aperture
Minimum aperture	f/32	f/22
Optical construction
Optical construction	27 elements in 19 groups plus protective glass; built-in converter has eight elements in five groups	16 elements in 12 groups plus meniscus protective glass; Nikon Japan and the original US announcement do not list the two aspherical elements appended to the UK table
Special elements
Special elements	Eight ED elements and one fluorite element	Two fluorite elements and two ED elements
Coatings
Coatings	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the protective glass	Nano Crystal Coat; fluorine coating on the meniscus protective glass
Aperture detail
Aperture detail	f/4–32 without the built-in converter; f/5.6–45 with it engaged	–
Diaphragm
Diaphragm	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control	Nine rounded blades; electromagnetic aperture control
Angle of view
Angle of view	FX 13°40′–6°10′ without converter or 9°50′–4°30′ with it; DX 9°–4° or 6°20′–2°50′ respectively	FX 6°10′; DX 4°
Mount and compatibility
Mounts
Mounts	Nikon F mount	Nikon F mount
Image circle
Image circle	Full frame	Full frame
Compatibility
Compatibility	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; electromagnetic aperture control requires compatible camera operation	CPU-equipped E-type Nikon F lens; Nikon warns that some cameras restrict E-type lens operation
Teleconverter support
Teleconverter support	Built-in 1.4× converter selects 180–400 mm f/4 or 252–560 mm f/5.6	–
Focus and stabilisation
Autofocus
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
Minimum focus distance
Minimum focus distance	2 m	2.6 m
Maximum magnification
Maximum magnification	0.25×	0.17×
Optical stabilisation
Optical stabilisation	Yes	Yes
Autofocus detail
Autofocus detail	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; original Nikon announcement describes enhanced tracking and cross-type outer AF points on compatible 153-point cameras with the required firmware	Internal focusing with ultrasonic motor; autofocus and manual focus
Focus distance detail
Focus distance detail	Minimum focal-plane distance 2 m across the zoom range; limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m	Minimum focal-plane distance 2.6 m; focus limiter selects FULL or infinity–6 m
Magnification detail
Magnification detail	Nikon UK publishes 0.25× at 400 mm without the converter, used in the main specifications; 0.36× at 560 mm with it engaged	Nikon Japan publishes 0.17×, used in the main specifications; the UK table gives 1/6.9 and Digital Camera World lists 0.14×
Stabilisation detail
Stabilisation detail	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR at the longest zoom position; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported	Lens-shift VR rated 4.0 stops under CIPA conditions in NORMAL mode on an FX DSLR; NORMAL and SPORT modes, with tripod vibration reduction supported
Design
Dust and moisture resistant
Dust and moisture resistant	Yes	–
Filter diameter
Filter diameter	40.5 mm	40.5 mm
Maximum diameter
Maximum diameter	128 mm	159.5 mm
Length
Length	362.5 mm	358 mm
Weight
Weight	3,500 g (better)	3,800 g
Controls
Controls	Lockable built-in converter lever; ePHOTOzine describes A/M, M/A and M modes plus focus-function buttons for AF lock, AF-ON or Memory Recall	–
Zoom design
Zoom design	Rotary zoom ring; E.J. Peiker describes internal zooming without a change in length	–
Filter detail
Filter detail	40.5 mm drop-in holder system, not a front screw-in thread	40.5 mm drop-in system, not a front screw-in thread
Weather resistance
Weather resistance	Original Nikon announcement describes dust and moisture sealing; no waterproof rating stated	Both reviews describe weather sealing; the maker specification pages used here do not publish a protection rating
Dimensions detail
Dimensions detail	Approximately 128 mm maximum diameter × 362.5 mm from the mount flange	Approximately 159.5 mm maximum diameter × 358 mm from the mount flange
Tripod mount
Tripod mount	360° rotating collar with 90° position marks and removable foot; E.J. Peiker notes that the supplied foot lacks an Arca-Swiss dovetail	Rotating tripod collar; the original maker announcement describes bearings for smooth rotation
In the box
In the box	Nikon UK lists LC-K103 front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-41 hood, dedicated filter holder, 40.5 mm NC filter, LN-2 strap and CL-L2 case	Nikon UK lists slip-on front cap, LF-4 rear cap, HK-38 hood, 40.5 mm NC filter, CT-405 case, LN-2 strap and monopod collar
Release detail
Release detail	Original Nikon US announcement specifies March 2018 retail availability; January CES introduction is not used as the first-sale date	Nikon US specified August 2014 retail availability; Nikon Japan records 28 August 2014 release. Main month precision retains the earlier unspecified US availability within that month